RX-Z9 with 4 Ohms loudspeakers

[M Lo]

Hi Z9 owners,
Is one of you using this receiver wired to 4 ohms loudspeakers? How is it working?
I own an RX-Z9 and intend to purchase a pair of Axiom M80Tis, which are 4 ohms speakers, however I am not sure about the ability of this receiver driving 4 ohms loads.
Could one of you inform me this, please?
Thanks in advance for any information.
Best,

 

[gene]

The Yamaha RX-Z9 is one of the most powerful receivers on the market and will have no problems driving moderately sensitive 4 ohm speaker. Take a look at our power measurements for the RX-Z9 and you will see it is a true powerhouse as far as receivers go.

When determining if a speaker will be adequately driven by a receiver, you have to consider the following:
1) Speaker Impedance
2) Speaker Efficiency
3) Room Size and Liveliness
4) Listening preferences
5) Whether or not the speakers will be playing full range.

With that in mind, the Axiom M80's, despite their 4 ohm impedance, are a relatively easy load to drive due to their high efficiency and lack of sharp phase changes with frequency in the crossovers. You shouldn't have a problem with this setup.

 

[M Lo]

The Yamaha RX-Z9 is one of the most powerful receivers on the market and will have no problems driving moderately sensitive 4 ohm speaker. Take a look at our power measurements for the RX-Z9 and you will see it is a true powerhouse as far as receivers go.

When determining if a speaker will be adequately driven by a receiver, you have to consider the following:
1) Speaker Impedance
2) Speaker Efficiency
3) Room Size and Liveliness
4) Listening preferences
5) Whether or not the speakers will be playing full range.

With that in mind, the Axiom M80's, despite their 4 ohm impedance, are a relatively easy load to drive due to their high efficiency and lack of sharp phase changes with frequency in the crossovers. You shouldn't have a problem with this setup.

Hi Gene,
You were quick on your answer. I appreciate that.
The room where they are going to be has the following dimensions: 21.4' x 9.4' x 8.25'; I intend to use them with a subwoofer and with the Z9's bass out selected to both;
Could you also tell me whether I can use these 4 ohms M80Tis as the main front speakers together with speakers with other impedances for the other channels? Is there a problem with that?
Thank you for your valued reply.
Regards,
M Lo

 

[gene]

You will be fine. My advice to you is try setting all speakers to small, crossover at 60Hz and let the sub do all the bass work. This will increase dynamics by saving amp power and may prove to be easier to integrate your sub with the rest of the system. You can always set the mains to large and bass to both to see which way you prefer. However, the M80s really arent full range and if you have a good sub, the sub would likely better serve low frequency duties of all channels. Further advice would be to add another sub. 2 subs are usually better than one, and certainly a better investment in this case than spending more on bigger amps for your application IMO.

 

[M Lo]

Yeah Gene,
It is a little strange the fact that the M80Tis are not full range speakers with all those drives and size. Based in your info I even think if it indeed worths in upgrading to these tower speakers given my current set up, which is:
KEF Q15 - 100w (6 ohms front left & right speakers); KEF Model 100 - 125w (6 ohms center speaker); Axiom QS8 - 400w (6 ohms side surround speakers); Yamaha NS-E105 - 200w (6 ohms surround back speakers) and Yamaha NS-E60 - 60w (6 ohms "presence" speakers).
As for the bass frequencies I own a 2 x 200 watts bipolar subwoofer Mirage BPS-400, which has two inner amplifiers driving two side-fired 12" cones, as well as inputs for the left and right subwoofer channels in the same enclosure. I would call it a "stereo" subwoofer.
With this system I don't increase the Z9 volume too much, despite I can count on BM to protect the speakers. The reason I intend to purchase bigger speakers is to use the Z9's huge reserves of power.
Does it worth the upgrade or the set up's current speakers are enough in terms of quality to work with this receiver in your opinion?
Thanks again.
Regards,
M Lo

 

[gene]

You don't necessarily need a speaker that will play down to 20Hz. What a semi fullrange speaker like an M80 can do is integrate seemlessly with a sub, usually better than a simple 2 way bookshelf speaker. You can still take advantage of the Z9 amps with the speakers set to small. You will be producing mid bass and upper frequencies and don't forget even if you have the M80s crossed over at 60Hz, bass enery below that will still go to the M80s but with 12dB/octave attenuation.

 

[M Lo]

Thank you Gene for your words and advice.
Best regards,
M Lo