Receiver choices.

[df4801]

Looking to get a receiver for non-dedicated tv room. (ie, not looking for a flagship model)
But can I get an inexpensive receiver that can also power 6 other speakers that will be used for background sound in the house? So it needs to power 2 TV speakers or 6 in ceiling speakers.
Dont need both to be playing at same time.

Was thinking of the lower end Yamaha's. Would like to spend under $300.
Thanks for any suggestions I could look at.

 

[df4801]

forgot to mention, was looking at the yamaha htr 5760 for $299.
Would this do what I need it to?

 

[markw]

Rethink this plan.

You don't want to expect a receiver to drive more speakers than there are outputs for on the back without external switch boxes. There are issues dealing with impedance, power, distortion, current draw issues that come into play here.

Here's an overall selection of one retailer's offerings.

http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.process?Ntt=speaker switch&Nty=1&Me=3000174&D=speaker switch&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=10174&Ntk=All_Record_Search&Ne=0

For your needs, you'll need to concentrate on one that has impedance matching to overcome the problems mentioned in the first paragraph. Understand, this will severely limit the power to all the speakers involved here so unless you are looking for background type music, you'll need to explore other avenues.

Here's what initially appears to be what you need. Please note that thick speaker wire might prove to be an issue. Personally, I would run this off of the "B" speaker selector.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3715405

Good luck and choose carefully.

 

[df4801]

I am not sure I understand.
I would only be asking the receiver to run 6 speakers at one time (for background music in the house) or run 2 speakers for the TV. They wont be on together.
I thought up to 7 speakers at one time was OK.
Cant a 2 zone system do that easily?

 

[markw]

No, you don't understand.

Yes, 7 speakers are ok but not in the configuration you seem to want to use.

Those receivers you mentioned can drive the 5 main spekers in a 5.1 system in one room and, when you select speaker "B", a pair of "stereo" speakers in another room.

You can't mix and match those 5 speakers. They represent one "zone" that plays 5 distinctly different channels in that one room. They WILL be on together. Ain't no choice on that one.

Those, along with the ""B speakers, gives you that total of 7 speakers, which are being driven from 5 power amps.

When you select the "B" speakers along with the main speakers, two of those power amps are now driving two speakers each , which is already putting a current drain on them.

That leaves you with the pair of "B" speakers, where I suggest you use that switchbox for the additional 6 speakers.

And, most receivers that handle a "zone 2" function rely on separate power amps for the additional zone.

Now, do you want to restate your question?

 

[df4801]

markw,
Thank you for the info.

Is this correct? I would get a 2 zone receiver and use the main output to power my 2 TV speakers, then use the "B" output to power the other 3 rooms (6 speakers). And I would use a speaker selector to control those.
The other 3 rooms are just for background music, nothing critical.

Would that Yamaha 5760 or equivilent be OK for that? ANy other recommendations. Thanks again.

 

[Takeereasy]

df4801, I was wondering if you could clarify this a bit more for me? From my understanding what you are trying to do can't be accomplished with a low end Yamaha HT receiver. Zone 2 does not provide power to 5 or 7 more speakers, only one pair. Also the 6 speakers you want to run at once won't be sounding like you want them to. There is a chance that run in 7 channel stereo you might get some decent results, but I really, really doubt it. You will need some kind of multi zone integrated amp to do what you want. I am very unfamiliar with the concept of whole house audio, but two members that will be able to provide you with the info you need are BMXTRIX and Ray. PM them and ask for help, they're always the ones that answer these type of questions, and they both deal with this topic for a living.

 

[df4801]

The 6 speakers that would run off the "B" portion of the receiver would be connected to a Speaker Selector with Impedance Protection. Then I could control those 3 pair of speakers.
I dont see why its such a big deal to power 6 speakers, its not like I will be cranking them up, just for background music. But then again, I ususally think I know more than I do. LOL

 

[markw]

Getting there.

Is this correct? I would get a 2 zone receiver.."

No. I have said nothing about "zones". Listen to what I'm saying and stop trying to put words in my mouth. Get this "zone" stuff out of your head unless you want to drop a bunch of $$ for separate amplifers for exch zone.

... and use the main output to power my 2 TV speakers,...

Yes. You can probably "deselect" the center, surrounds and subwoofer from the receiver's menu. RTFM for this. You'll be listening in stereo, not surround. For all intents and purposes I think a simple two channel stereo unit with "A" and "B" speakers would be sufficient. You would than use the analog outputs from the DVD player.

...then use the "B" output to power the other 3 rooms (6 speakers). And I would use a speaker selector to control those..

Exactly! I know you meant to say an "impedance matching" speaker selector, right? See, there's no "zone" stuff anywhere. Stop looking at the ad copy and creating a non-existent need for it!

The other 3 rooms are just for background music, nothing critical.

If the unit shuts down from trying to drive too many speakers it could become critical quite quickly. Speaker impedance is the isssue here, not what the speakers will be used for.

Would that Yamaha 5760 or equivilent be OK for that? ANy other recommendations. Thanks again.

It should work but as stated above, I think it's overkill for your stated use. A two channel unit would suffice.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options.

df4801,
While there are several methods for achieving your goal (distribution amps, speaker selectors, volume controls, etc.) I think that your assumption about the Yamaha 5760 and how it would work are valid.

The Yamaha 5760 is a 7.1 channel receiver and has a 7 channel stereo mode. It is my understanding that this mode sends the same information to each of the left and right channels (i.e. Left main is the same as the Left surround, etc.) Therefore, 3 pairs of speakers could be connected to the mains, surrounds, and rear surround channels running 7-channel stereo mode.

Also, TV or other speakers could be connected to the Speaker B terminals if not used at the same time as Speaker A. Since TV's have their own amplifiers, a line level connection from the Tape Output of the receiver might be more appropriate for the TV, in which case all speakers could be on at the same time.

The speaker selectors mentioned in the post above will devide the power from 2 of Yamaha's amps between 2 or 4 pairs of speakers. Thus, you would have <100 Watts / 4 = <25 Watts per speaker. If you connect each speaker to a seperate amp, then you have the capability of playing at higher volumes in the 3 rooms.

You should be able to get a good deal on that Yamaha with the newer models out.

 

[df4801]

Thanks jc,

That makes more sense what you said.
I have a yamaha 5890 for my theater room and I play stereo thru all 7 speakers there and it sounds great, so I couldnt figure out why some were making a big deal out of it.

So it sounds like the best plan is using the 7 speaker stereo mode to power the 6 in ceiling speakers, and run the 2 tv speakers off the "B" modes. It doesnt seem like I need one of those speaker selectors that mark said.

 

[jcPanny]

If you already have the 5890 . . .

You could use its Zone 2 line output to connect to a distribution amp, stereo amp with speaker selectors or volume controls, or the second receiver.
Buy the time you add up the cost of an amp and volume controls for three rooms, it is probably close to $300.