Onkyo reciver, 4ohm or 8ohm setting? and Amp

[jaross]

Using with either ADS L710, or B&W Matrix 804.

Will the 4 ohm setting change the way they sound work in a big noticeable way? My understanding is that the 4 ohm setting is a safeguard for dummies. But what are the disadvantages to using it (simply less power?)?

I am a college student and I have a lot of drunk retards coming through my house from time to time who don't know a lick about decent stereo equipment. Because of this, the 4ohm setting seems like a good one. Last party we had this kid kept turning it up to levels of distortion because the speakers were in the garage (where everyone was dancing) and he wanted it to be just as loud in the rest of the house.

any advice on this?


and also, just found out my roomate has an Onkyo M-501 ( http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=M-501&class=Amplifier&p=i ) amp. Its 150 watts. Is there any reason I would want to use this paired with my Onkyo TX-8511 ( http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=tx-8511&class=Receiver&p=f )

Or, do I need a preamp to use with the amp as opposed to the reciver I have?

 

[Adam]

any advice on this?

Yeah, put a smack down on that dude.

Or, do I need a preamp to use with the amp as opposed to the reciver I have?

You don't need a dedicated preamp and can use a lot of receivers with external amps. Your receiver doesn't have preamp outputs, though. You could make it work, though, but it might not be worth it. I didn't see any specs on that amp on the Onkyo website, and I need to go pretty quick so didn't look around the web. If it is better able to handle the 4-ohm load, then it might be worth it.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker system

I would hold off on purchasing good speakers until you are out of college. Get a pair of cerwin vega's for the college garage party system. Leave the good equipment locked in your room during the party.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

A lot of AVRs have a maximum volume setting which would help in your case.

 

[Midcow2]

Using with either ADS L710, or B&W Matrix 804.

Will the 4 ohm setting change the way they sound work in a big noticeable way? My understanding is that the 4 ohm setting is a safeguard for dummies. But what are the disadvantages to using it (simply less power?)?

I am a college student and I have a lot of drunk retards coming through my house from time to time who don't know a lick about decent stereo equipment. Because of this, the 4ohm setting seems like a good one. Last party we had this kid kept turning it up to levels of distortion because the speakers were in the garage (where everyone was dancing) and he wanted it to be just as loud in the rest of the house.

any advice on this?



and also, just found out my roomate has an Onkyo M-501 ( http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=M-501&class=Amplifier&p=i ) amp. Its 150 watts. Is there any reason I would want to use this paired with my Onkyo TX-8511 ( http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=tx-8511&class=Receiver&p=f )

Or, do I need a preamp to use with the amp as opposed to the reciver I have?

Set it a 8ohms. The 4 ohm setting just dissipates part of your power on an internal resistance. It is like a power governor for dummies; doesn't help you or your sound only protects receiver from overload.

 

[Seth=L]

Right...

He was asking if he should use it on the basis that he has dumb dumbs coming through his quarters that may be prone to doing stupid things (like messing around with his stereo).

If it where me, I would set it at 4 ohms while they are around. You could switch it back to 8 when you are in complete control of your stereo. Unfortunately the Onkyo doesn't allow you to set a maximum level you will allow it to achieve, the closest thing you have to that is the 4 ohm switch. You might also want to mark on your receiver the highest level you will allow for use. If you are concerned that people won't listen to what you say (meaning you don't have room to put your foot down), or disregard the sticker, then it would be best to not put one on it. This will help avoid antagonizing by destruction of your equippment. If you can make it abuntantly clear you won't put up with bullshit (which might be a buzz kill for them) when it comes to your stereo, you might not have to worry about any of it.

That Onkyo receiver is not equipped with preouts as Adam mentioned. There is no good way to connect that amplifier to that receiver. A preamp or receiver with preouts is needed. Maybe the Denon DRA-355 has preouts. Can you take a picture of the back of the Denon?

 

[jaross]

Im pretty sure the Denon does not have an out either, unless the video out (audio for the video) would work..

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Which Denon?

Im pretty sure the Denon does not have an out either, unless the video out (audio for the video) would work..

 

[Seth=L]

Which Denon?

Denon DRA-355

 

[Seth=L]

Im pretty sure the Denon does not have an out either, unless the video out (audio for the video) would work..

No, video cannot substitute for audio.

 

[zumbo]

I wouldn't set it to 4ohm. While set at 4ohm, and dummies cranking the volume, I believe this adds to the chance of clipping. The amp clipping will do more harm to speakers than anything.

Cerwin Vegas will handle clipping, jamming, spilling, slamming, and anything else that ends in ing.

 

[Seth=L]

I wouldn't set it to 4ohm. While set at 4ohm, and dummies cranking the volume, I believe this adds to the chance of clipping. The amp clipping will do more harm to speakers than anything.

Cerwin Vegas will handle clipping, jamming, spilling, slamming, and anything else that ends in ing.

I thought that it was a current limiter?

 

[jaross]

No, video cannot substitute for audio.

its the audio out for the video...

 

[jaross]

Cerwin Vegas will handle clipping, jamming, spilling, slamming, and anything else that ends in ing.

yeah...but I don't like the way they sound (atleast the DX-5s that I listened to at the pawn show the other day)

 

[zumbo]

yeah...but I don't like the way they sound (atleast the DX-5s that I listened to at the pawn show the other day)

When the ears have been treated to a/d/s and B&W, there are not many party friendly speakers that will sound good.

Cerwins are speakers that are cheap to buy, will play loud, slam, and make it through whatever the party can throw at them. That is why they were were recommended.

 

[jaross]

When the ears have been treated to a/d/s and B&W, there are not many party friendly speakers that will sound good.

Cerwins are speakers that are cheap to buy, will play loud, slam, and make it through whatever the party can throw at them. That is why they were were recommended.

got it. They are still $200+ for something loud enough though. My roommate's ADS L810s were loud enough but they got stolen . My L710 are close but maybe not loud enough, although we have not had a party since I got my sub and I think that may solve all those problems...