New Speakers on Order! Also sold my Center for a Grand.

[highfigh]

Some of that is Greek to me. Where shall I set my speaker impedance? I have two choices. 4 ohms or "6 or above".

As mentioned, setting it to 4 Ohms limits output, for the sole reason that it passes a UL test that has little to do with performance needed for this application. Think of it as a governor for an engine that wouldn't overheat under normal circumstances or a 'nanny device'.

 

[Squishman]

Pretty sure the general consensus here will be just leave at the 6/8 ohm setting - unless you find your receiver is actually having some overheating issues running in that mode. IF that happens, move to the 4 setting.

Thx. You are "pretty sure"? I'd like to get something firm. All I know is how to hook stuff up and to follow instructions! If it wasn't for this forum and certain specific dudes, my system would be crap.

 

[Squishman]

As mentioned, setting it to 4 Ohms limits output, for the sole reason that it passes a UL test that has little to do with performance needed for this application. Think of it as a governor for an engine that wouldn't overheat under normal circumstances or a 'nanny device'.

Awesome! Thx!

 

[Trebdp83]

As others have mentioned, using the 6ohm or more setting with sensible crossover settings for all speakers will not be an issue for the RZ50. It will run a bit warmer but not really hot. With your receiver connected to your network, you can use the web setup feature to check the temperature of the receiver at any time when using it.

Without any movies or music playing while using my Mac to web browse, my Onkyo is fine. It may go up 10-15 degrees Celsius if I get into movies or music at considerable volume levels. But, I do use the 4ohm setting as I'm using very modest speakers with sensible crossovers and am not trying to blow the roof off of the joint. When I switch to the 6ohm or more setting, things can warm up an additional 10-15 degrees Celsius and the fan will turn ON and OFF as needed but I've never had the Fan Speed go any higher than Low.

 

[dolynick]

Thx. You are "pretty sure"? I'd like to get something firm. All I know is how to hook stuff up and to follow instructions! If it wasn't for this forum and certain specific dudes, my system would be crap.

Ok. Maybe I didn't phrase that right. I don't like speaking for others though when I don't have to. There's always likely to be someone who disagrees as well.

The general consensus of the thread about this leaned heavily towards "8 ohms setting is better" and that's what a few others have more or less been saying earlier in this thread. I was just trying to state it a little more directly was all.

Maybe think of it this way: The 4 Ohm setting is a reduced operating state that's there to make sure that the receiver can drive more difficult loads within a certain operating range specification. If you can drive the load in the normal "full power" 8 Ohm mode, you should. If you find the receiver gets too hot and is struggling, then drop down.

 

[Squishman]

I imagine all of this discussion about impedance and crossover settings is about the speakers connected to the RZ50. When I get the 3 channel amp, shall I leave all settings as is?

btw, I will test that amp out on my computer speakers before I hook it up to the Kefs. "Trust but verify" someone important said once.

 

[dolynick]

I imagine all of this discussion about impedance and crossover settings is about the speakers connected to the RZ50. When I get the 3 channel amp, shall I leave all settings as is?

The BasX A3 shouldn't even have a selector switch like that. That's mainly a receiver thing only. I don't recall ever seeing a proper power amplifier with one before.

 

[Squishman]

The BasX A3 shouldn't even have a selector switch like that. That's mainly a receiver thing only. I don't recall ever seeing a proper power amplifier with one before.

I meant on the AVR.

 

[dolynick]

I meant on the AVR.

Ah. Sorry. My mistake.

The same advise probably applies. Although running just some surrounds should be a lot lighter load than driving the LCR more constantly.

 

[Squishman]

Ah. Sorry. My mistake.

The same advise probably applies. Although running just some surrounds should be a lot lighter load than driving the LCR more constantly.

Right! Looking forward to that. Like driving downhill all the way to a destination. Forever.

 

[Squishman]

@Trebdp83, I used those crossover settings you recommended above for my bedroom system too. Probably right? Oh yeah, also that system has mini towers as mains (see my sig). Set as small? Center is a massive monster. Set that large or small? Crossover for the center at 100 hz?

 

[Trebdp83]

Set all of the speakers to Small and play with the crossover settings. The Front and Center should be fine 80Hz-120Hz and Surround and Height 120Hz-150Hz. Play with it all and tweak it to your liking.

Oh, and check the sub in the living room. With the receiver handling everything, make sure the Crossover switch on the sub is set to OUT.

 

[Squishman]

Set all of the speakers to Small and play with the crossover settings. The Front and Center should be fine 80Hz-120Hz and Surround and Height 120Hz-150Hz. Play with it all and tweak it to your liking.

Oh, and check the sub in the living room. With the receiver handling everything, make sure the Crossover switch on the sub is set to OUT.

Yes, it is out. Thanks!