receiver help - 4 ohms

[parinshah]

Any recommendations for a good speaker that can handle 4 ohms impedence well? I was looking at Rotel, Marantz and Denon. Which specific brand and model number would you guys recommend?

Thanks!

 

[parinshah]

Oh...a budget would help before we get into some $20k receiver! I prefer the $1-2k range...thanks!

 

[jamie2112]

Most AVR's do not like to see a 4ohm load. I would suggest an external amp run off your receivers preamp outs. I am also confused to what you are asking are you looking for a AVR or a speaker?

 

[parinshah]

Sorry...looking to buy the Axiom's m80's, which like the 4 ohms. I need recommendations on a receiver NOT a speaker.

Thanks for the help and sorry about the confusion

 

[Midcow2]

Look for High current capable AVR or consider separate AMP

Any recommendations for a good speaker that can handle 4 ohms impedence well? I was looking at Rotel, Marantz and Denon. Which specific brand and model number would you guys recommend?

Thanks!

Look for an AVR that specifically mentions high-current capable.

Many AVRs are designed for 8 ohm nominal impendance. 4 ohm doubles the current and doubles the power.

Also, another direction to think about is taking the pre-outs for the front speakers ( your 4 ohm speakers) and running them into a separate 2 -channel amp to drive the 4 ohm speakers. Then you can use about any AVR that has pre-outs.

Again as mentioned previously what is your budget and do you want a separate power amp ?


Good luck!

 

[lsiberian]

From what I can tell you want a 4-ohm speaker and an amp to power it.

To be honest I think you shouldn't decide on the speaker until you've had a listen. Or built your own to your liking.

You may find the perfect speaker in budget/sound/aesthetics to be an 8-ohm load. If that's the case almost any decent AVR would drive the speakers just fine and an amp would be an unnecessary expense. On a 1-2k budget you will want to spend no more than 400 on the amp+pre-amp. The rest would be better spent on the speakers and subs. In that budget I suggest you look and the Infinity Perfect Build in the DIY section of the site. I am building a couple of subs very similar to that design and am finding even with the cost of tools. That it is still cheaper than an SVS with a much better expected response. That would leave you plenty of money to get the EMP package. Which at your budget is probably your best bet. http://store.audioholics.com/product/1833/66234/emp-htp-571t-7-1-speaker-system

Everyone who has gotten them says they are really good speakers. The nice thing is they come with a sub. So you can use that until your build is done.

 

[JCW]

It might help to rephrase your question. Speakers come preset to 4 or 8 ohms (or whatever) and you want an amp that can comfortably handle the load and provide adequate power so your sound is clean, warm, and rich without having to boost the tone controls trying to compensate for under powering your speakers.

My experience is most "home HiFi" amps don't really like a 4 ohm load. The amps will run hotter and put out more power. I would stay with a higher end amp for a 4 ohm load. I use a Crest Audio (professional/commercial) power amp for my 4 ohm load and it is amazing. It was built to run at 2 ohms full load 100% of the time (which means it was "overbuilt" to a much higher quality than most amps). The problem is that this requires you to have a separate preamp and power amp, which is the preferred option anyway.

Thanks and good luck finding exactly what you need!

John

 

[parinshah]

That is right, I want an amp that can comfortably handle the load.

For just the receiver, my budget is $1-2k. Any recommendations on a specific Denon, Marantz and Rotel receiver?

I currently have a Denon 2805. could I use this to power the fronts and then get an amp to power the rest of the 7.1?

thanks!

 

[deedubb]

harmon/kardon handles 4 ohms quite well, but many receivers do not. I second the recommendation of a separate power amp and using the pre-outs from whatever receiver you choose. 4 ohm speakers will often run below 4 ohms at times and if you like to listen at loud volumes, a lot of receivers will shut down on you.

 

[3db]

That is right, I want an amp that can comfortably handle the load.

For just the receiver, my budget is $1-2k. Any recommendations on a specific Denon, Marantz and Rotel receiver?

I currently have a Denon 2805. could I use this to power the fronts and then get an amp to power the rest of the 7.1?

thanks!

Other way.. get an amp to power the fronts and use the 2805 to power the rest is the way I would approach it or you can purchase a NAD which aere capable and stable with 4 ohm speakers.

 

[jayhawk069]

The OP keeps saying he wants a $1-2K receiver and everybody keeps telling him to get separates! How about answering the question as posited?

 

[3db]

The OP keeps saying he wants a $1-2K receiver and everybody keeps telling him to get separates! How about answering the question as posited?

If you look at post number 8, he's also considering seperates to drive part of his speakers

 

[AVRat]

It would probably be wise to upgrade the receiver since you’ll be running a projection set-up and will really want a simple single HDMI connection to the projector. HDMI is a necessity to get the best A/V from BluRay. You seem to be a frugal power user so something like the Denon 3808 should handle the Axiom M80s just fine. And if you would feel better you could add an Emotiva XPA-3 and still keep the cost below $2K.

For your purpose/usage the M60s should suffice and help lower your overall cost. Unless you go overboard somewhere else which I believe you’re reluctant to do.

 

[Pyrrho]

I recommend that you look at buying a relatively inexpensive receiver with preamplifier outputs, and buy a separate power amp (or amps). Don't simply buy a receiver that the manufacturer claims is "high current", as that is a marketing phrase that has no real significance, as it is sometimes on equipment that is not intended for 4 ohm speakers. You want something rated for 4 ohm speakers, and if you want that to happen with surround channels, you are probably best off with a separate amplifier.

The question, as posited, may be asking for something that does not exist. I know of no receiver at that price point that is rated for all channels driving 4 ohm speakers, though, of course, I do not happen to know the specifications of every receiver on the market. If it is just the front right and left channels that need to be rated to handle 4 ohm speakers, most of the receivers in that price range probably would qualify, though I would prefer to use a separate amp anyway if I were going to listen very, very loud. But since the Axiom M-80 v2 is very efficient, if they have not misrated the impedance, they are probably okay with just about any receiver in that price range.

An inexpensive 2 channel amplifier like the Behringer A500 might be good insurance against damaging one's receiver with a low impedance:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17004&highlight=behringer

 

[markw]

Sometimes, the best answer is not one of the given options.

The OP keeps saying he wants a $1-2K receiver and everybody keeps telling him to get separates! How about answering the question as posited?

Do you have problems with thinking "outside the box"?

Personally, since power to drive a four ohm speaker seems to be his only issue, the best answer I saw so far was for him to use his existing receiver as a front end and devote his dollars towards a beefy power amp.

 

[parinshah]

Thanks!

1) I do prefer to have one receiver that can handle the meat of the matter. I don't blast music, so would I need to get an amp?

I am considering to get a russound 6 source a/v distribution to do the rest of the house....or could use the Denon 2805 and use its 2 zones for other parts of the house if i go with the Denon 3808 or comparable receiver.

2) So...the Denon 3808 seems to be the answer since it will have HDMI inputs/output. Is there a Marantz that is comparable, and if so is the Marantz any better with sound quality?

3) the Emotiva....is that an amp? that would help increase the wattage for louder sound to the speakers set up with the main receiver, is that correct? Is the Emotiva capable of audio distribution to the rest of the house?

4) Will I hear a difference at a moderate sound level (not loud level!) between the Axiom M22's, M60's and M80's? I would get a center, rears and a strong sub to go along with this.

I am trying to get my money's worth, but would be OK with spending more if I were going to really hear and see a difference.

 

[Soundman]

Ok...

OK, alot of posts mentioning should he get an external amp or not. Only the OP can answer this question. This will depend on the speakers and the room. Will the room be treated? If so, you are going to need a little more power. Also, you need to look at the design of the speaker, not just the ohm power rating. My speakers are rated at 8 ohm so should be an easy load, right? Well, true, but they really open up when you feed them a little more power. I would never power these speakers with just a receiver, if at all possible. They just beg for more power. I'm actually contemplating getting another amp once the budget allows for it. I've been on the AV123 forums and there are members using 500wpc amps with RS 850's. Again, just an example of how different speakers behave. I suppose the main issue is whether the OP's pre/pro or receiver is capable of driving them versus the speaker reaching it's full potential. Plenty of headroom is never a bad thing, IMO.

 

[Soundman]

Thanks!

1) I do prefer to have one receiver that can handle the meat of the matter. I don't blast music, so would I need to get an amp?

I am considering to get a russound 6 source a/v distribution to do the rest of the house....or could use the Denon 2805 and use its 2 zones for other parts of the house if i go with the Denon 3808 or comparable receiver.

2) So...the Denon 3808 seems to be the answer since it will have HDMI inputs/output. Is there a Marantz that is comparable, and if so is the Marantz any better with sound quality?

3) the Emotiva....is that an amp? that would help increase the wattage for louder sound to the speakers set up with the main receiver, is that correct? Is the Emotiva capable of audio distribution to the rest of the house?

4) Will I hear a difference at a moderate sound level (not loud level!) between the Axiom M22's, M60's and M80's? I would get a center, rears and a strong sub to go along with this.

I am trying to get my money's worth, but would be OK with spending more if I were going to really hear and see a difference.

Have you heard the Axiom's? You better listen before you buy. They are a good speaker, but many would say they are very bright (except the Axiom fanboys. To them, they are called accurate). Whichever camp you come from doesn't matter to me, but from my experience, there speakers need to be used in a well treated room. I used to have an Axiom 5.1 setup. I was running the M60's as fronts, so I know what they sound like. Please audition first to make sure you like the sound. As you can see, they didn't work out well for me, even though they are a good sounding speaker.

I will say this, if you get any of the Emotiva products, you will have no problem at all driving Axiom speakers, that is for sure. They are 4ohm speakers, but I didn't find them hard to drive at all.

 

[parinshah]

No, I haven't heard them. But they seem like they are such a good bang for the buck! It will cost me a lot more to get a similar sounding Dynaudio, B&W or Paradigm...right? Which of these would be comparable to the M60's or M80's?

That being said...Axiom has a nice return policy...I can try them out and return them.

What I really would like to know is the Marantz or Rotel any better than the Denon...or am i paying for the name?

Thanks!

 

[Pyrrho]

Thanks!

1) I do prefer to have one receiver that can handle the meat of the matter. I don't blast music, so would I need to get an amp?

I am considering to get a russound 6 source a/v distribution to do the rest of the house....or could use the Denon 2805 and use its 2 zones for other parts of the house if i go with the Denon 3808 or comparable receiver.

2) So...the Denon 3808 seems to be the answer since it will have HDMI inputs/output. Is there a Marantz that is comparable, and if so is the Marantz any better with sound quality?

3) the Emotiva....is that an amp? that would help increase the wattage for louder sound to the speakers set up with the main receiver, is that correct? Is the Emotiva capable of audio distribution to the rest of the house?

4) Will I hear a difference at a moderate sound level (not loud level!) between the Axiom M22's, M60's and M80's? I would get a center, rears and a strong sub to go along with this.

I am trying to get my money's worth, but would be OK with spending more if I were going to really hear and see a difference.

You might be able to get away with just using your current receiver, but it isn't supposed to be used with anything less than 6 ohm speakers. It is supposed to have protection circuitry that will cause the amplifier to temporarily shut down in the event of high volumes with low impedance, to prevent damage to the unit, but it is best not to rely on such things. Probably your cheapest safe solution for use with 4 ohm speakers would be to keep the receiver you now have, and buy an amplifier for as many channels as you will be using speakers below 6 ohms. I would not replace the receiver unless you needed some features now that it lacks. The reason is, surround receivers are a lot like computers; if you wait a year or so, you will be able to buy something better for the same amount of money, and the value of your unit drops very fast.

Emotiva makes amplifiers.

Generally speaking, if you want the best sound for your money, you want to put your money in your speakers (which includes subwoofers), as they make more of a difference to the sound than any other equipment. I used to run a receiver that retailed for about $600 with speakers that retailed for over $6000, and it sounded great. Because I wanted more features, I replaced the receiver with something that retails for about $1600. It sounds the same, except if I engage a feature that the old model did not have. In my case, my speakers are an easy 8 ohms, and are of normal efficiency, so I do not require anything special to drive them. To get the best sound, you probably would be best off seeing what you can find if you budgeted all of your money for the best speakers you can get. If they turned out to be low impedance or terribly inefficient, then you would need to reconsider. But if they happen to be 8 ohms and normal (or high) efficiency, you could just buy them and use them with your current receiver, and that would give you better sound than lessor speakers with a more expensive receiver.