RX-V659 with 4 ohm load?

[Hutzal]

According to the review that Audioholics did on this reciever, it was able to handle a 4 ohm load pretty good.

My question is this. I will have M22 mains, QS8 sides, and was thinking about two M2s for the centre channel wired in parallel. (one above the screen one below)

This would make the centre channel have a 4 ohm load. Will the receiver be able to handle this? (my room is 14 x 16). Will the 659 go into current-limiting mode when it sees a 4 ohm load?

Also, when I upgrade to a 7.1 system, will the 659 be able to drive all the channels while still having a 4 ohm load on the centre channel?

Thanks in advance.

-Robb.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha receiver

Hatzal,
I have the Yamaha HTR-5860 (last years version of your receiver) driving my 4-ohm Onix Refrence 1's without any problems. I don't crank it up for long periods and check periodically for heat, but so far so good.

I don't think you will have a problem with a single 4-ohm channel, and if you did, you could connect the pair of M2's in series (16 ohms) to solve the issue.

I am curious why you aren't getting the Axiom center, placement issue? You could get the VP100 for less and the 150 for a little more than the price of the pair of M2's.

 

[Hutzal]

There is a local guru on the Axiom boards that has done tests proving that a vertical speaker has a greater horizontal dispersion.

As well, I will have a riser, the back row may not have a direct ear view to the centre channel on the bottom of the screen.

Utilizing two M2's (one above and one below) I'll be able to disperse the sound to the back row as well as the front. The added benefit is that the sound will sound like it is coming from the middle of the screen.

I spoke with Axiom and they stated that 2 M2s will play as loud as 1 M22. So for $297CAD (factory outlet) i'll be able to get a split up centre channel with drivers that match my M22 mains.

 

[mtrycrafts]

There is a local guru on the Axiom boards that has done tests proving that a vertical speaker has a greater horizontal dispersion.
.

The Sensible Sound had an interesting technical discussion by Dr. David Rich, their technical guru since he left The Audio Critic.
Your assessment is correct. A horizontal setup with mids on the sides of the hf driver gives lobing issues, etc.

 

[Jack Hammer]

The Sensible Sound had an interesting technical discussion by Dr. David Rich, their technical guru since he left The Audio Critic.
Your assessment is correct. A horizontal setup with mids on the sides of the hf driver gives lobing issues, etc.

I vaguely recall reading something like this before. But to be honest, the technical stuff goes over my head. I saw something about having a tweeter, mid, mid setup avoided certain problems of having the tweeter between the mids. Has there been any advantage proven to having a horizontal vs vertical setup where the speaker arrangement has a mid, mid, hf setup? Or does the vertical vs horizontal placement only apply to a mid, hf, mid arrangement?

Jack

 

[evilkat]

When I asked around for a receiver to drive the M80s, VP150 and QS4s, the general consensus here was that the 659 would be underpowered, and that I would be better off getting the M60s. I did settle for the M60 and the 2700 in preperation for a future upgrade to the M80s....

 

[Nick250]

I look foward to a reveiw when eveything is in place.

Nick

 

[Hutzal]

A part of me looks at two M2s and 1 M80 and thinks "how could it possibly use the same power to drive these suckers when the M80 has two more 6.5" woofers to drive?"

I really don't think the 659 will have a problem driving two M2s in parallel requiring a 4ohm load...

I'll have to wait and see i guess.

-Hutz

 

[mtrycrafts]

I vaguely recall reading something like this before. But to be honest, the technical stuff goes over my head. I saw something about having a tweeter, mid, mid setup avoided certain problems of having the tweeter between the mids. Has there been any advantage proven to having a horizontal vs vertical setup where the speaker arrangement has a mid, mid, hf setup? Or does the vertical vs horizontal placement only apply to a mid, hf, mid arrangement?
Jack

The speaker with a mid above the hf driver is a D'Appolito design, as it is called. It has its followers as do the other designs. But, when you lay that design on its side in a horizontal arrangement, you bring in issues.

The test and issue I mentioned above is not that technical.

I would recommend T$$ issues 106, 109 and the recent 110 issue. I think he can tell you much better than I can.

 

[Hutzal]

Just to give you all an update on my situation. I ended up ordering the following:

2 x M22 Mains
2 x M3 Mains (for warmer vocals, also has a similar response curve to the M22s moreso than the M2s, as well, am comparing the M22s and M3s for studio use)
2 x QS8
1 x EP500 sub.

I have noticed no problems driving the M3s in parallel and am VERY pleased with the result. It is not yet setup for a projection screen, currently using my 27" CRT, but MAN, the dual M3s sound so stellar its not even funny. I compared to just 1 M3, and the soundstage is so more full with 2 M3's, I would recommend it any day.

If anyone here is worried about a 4ohm load on the 659 centre channel, do not even fret, the amp didn't even get close to excessive heat after 2 hours of BSG.

-Hutz

 

[speakerman39]

Just to give you all an update on my situation. I ended up ordering the following:

2 x M22 Mains
2 x M3 Mains (for warmer vocals, also has a similar response curve to the M22s moreso than the M2s, as well, am comparing the M22s and M3s for studio use)
2 x QS8
1 x EP500 sub.

I have noticed no problems driving the M3s in parallel and am VERY pleased with the result. It is not yet setup for a projection screen, currently using my 27" CRT, but MAN, the dual M3s sound so stellar its not even funny. I compared to just 1 M3, and the soundstage is so more full with 2 M3's, I would recommend it any day.

If anyone here is worried about a 4ohm load on the 659 centre channel, do not even fret, the amp didn't even get close to excessive heat after 2 hours of BSG.

-Hutz

Why not get an Outlaw Audio mono block amp to use for the center channel speakers?? Home Theater Direct has a 2-channel amp that can be bridged mono for like $200 which would do a good job too. The Outlaw mono blocks are a bit more expensive. Like you, I really like Axiom speakers and you have a really nice set-up. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[Wid]

Home Theater Direct has a 2-channel amp that can be bridged mono for like $200 which would do a good job too.

It is highly unlikely any amp in bridged mode will drive a 4 ohm load sucessfully.

 

[speakerman39]

It is highly unlikely any amp in bridged mode will drive a 4 ohm load sucessfully.

Yeah good point in that a 2-channel amp would have to be 2 ohm stable stereo in order to handle a 4 ohm mono load. However, I do know the Outlaw mono blocks have no trouble with a 4 ohm load and have heard what they can do. If I were the op, I would get at least get (1) Outlaw Audio mono block to power the (2) M3Ti's wired in parrellel. But that is me, other members here may prefer a different way.