HT Speaker Selection

[Seethru]

New guy here, so here goes...

I have a BK AVR 305 that I received as a gift and I would like to purchase speakers to complete the HT system.

My question is, since this receiver is rated at 150 watts/channel at 8 ohms, does this mean that I have to buy speakers that also are rated at 150 watts? Or will a speaker rated for 120 watts fill the bill without getting damaged.

The area for the HT system is pretty small, so I don't forsee cranking the volume much.

Thanks for your help.

Greg

 

[jaxvon]

New guy here, so here goes...

I have a BK AVR 305 that I received as a gift and I would like to purchase speakers to complete the HT system.

My question is, since this receiver is rated at 150 watts/channel at 8 ohms, does this mean that I have to buy speakers that also are rated at 150 watts? Or will a speaker rated for 120 watts fill the bill without getting damaged.

The area for the HT system is pretty small, so I don't forsee cranking the volume much.

Thanks for your help.

Greg

Nope, you just need to find speakers that aren't too low of an impedance. Most receivers need at least 6 ohms, though some might be able to handle 4 ohms.

 

[mazersteven]

You'll be fine with speakers rated less then your receiver puts out. To little power is not a good thing. Distorted power is not a good thing. To much power, good clean power within reason is a good thing.

Just make sure you purchase 8ohm speakers, unless your receiver can handle 8ohms or less.

 

[Seethru]

Thanks for the information. It's really helpful.

I've been reading through my receiver's manual, and I guess I can also limit the amount of dB going to each channel, so maybe that will help as well.

I've also been trying to read the stickey guide on loudspeaker impedance, series/parallel, etc. Yikes. It's probably "basic" for you all, but I'm more of a pop-up book kind of guy. I think I'll have another beer and read through that tutorial again.

Clear skies!

Greg

 

[Jey Jockey]

Seethrum that AVR will work very well for you. Just ensure that your speakers are 93db efficient or better and 8ohms nominal, most AVR's are not capable of operating with any stability below 6ohms, check your AVR manual.
Speakers with lower sensitivity than 93db are harder to drive especially coupled with low impedance.

Chris

 

[Warpdrv]

Seethrum that AVR will work very well for you. Just ensure that your speakers are 93db efficient or better and 8ohms nominal, most AVR's are not capable of operating with any stability below 6ohms, check your AVR manual.
Speakers with lower sensitivity than 93db are harder to drive especially coupled with low impedance.

Chris

Just off the top of my head the Paradigm Monitor series and most Klipsch speakers come to mind that are rated with High sensitivity..... good luck.


Warp

 

[j_garcia]

Not sure why you guys are talking about high sensitivity and impedanec, the B&K is likely 4 Ohm stable... it has plenty of balls - these things are built like tanks. I think that 305 will be able to handle most speakers just fine. "Above 93dB sensitivity" is fine, but not the way look for speakers IMO. Listen to a bunch, pick the 2-3 you like the best and compare specs.

 

[billnchristy]

The manual says 8ohm only, but I have no doubt it makes the power...can pull 1200w from your outlet...I wouldnt worry about high sensitivity speakers either.