Seeking enlightenment of impedance matching information

[mickanger]

I am searching for a definitive answer to the question of what is the best setting for matching my speakers and my AVR for maximum enjoyment and efficiency? I recently asked Marantz and they had an interesting response, very, you know, "sciencey".
Any experts out there?

this is my exchange with Marantz support.

Proper choice for speaker impedance and why? What are the good and bad differences for my sound and my gear? I have a matching set of Elac UB-5 speakers ( L &R Towers, surround bookshelves, Atmos module x 4 and 10" sub, Ub-5 Center ) All rated for 4 ohms. With an SR-6011. What should I do, and just as important to me, why do it?
Thanks for your reply. I love your gear.

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Subject
impedance

Response By Email (Anthony) (04/04/2017 03:21 PM)
Hello Michael,

Thank you for contacting D+M, we value you as a D+M customer and appreciate the opportunity to be of assistance!

This is completely up to you. I personally would test out different things and see which one I enjoy the most.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us again.

Thank you for contacting D+M Customer Support. Have a great day!

Auto-Response By (Administrator) (04/03/2017 10:41 PM)
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Customer By Web (Michael Carpenter) (04/03/2017 10:41 PM)
Proper choice for speaker impedance and why? What are the good and bad differences for my sound and my gear? I have a matching set of Elac UB-5 speakers ( L &R Towers, surround bookshelves, Atmos module x 4 and 10" sub, Ub-5 Center ) All rated for 4 ohms. With an SR-6011. What should I do, and just as important to me, why do it?
Thanks for your reply. I love your gear.
Question Reference # 170404-000122

• Date Created: 04/03/2017 10:41 PM
• Date Last Updated: 04/04/2017 03:21 PM
• Status: Complete

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[sthayashi]

Why not choose the 4 Ohm setting found in their manual?

 

[j_garcia]

They are basically suggesting that you try it as is (8 Ohm) and see if it sounds strained for your listening levels. The 4 Ohm setting will current limit the receiver, so while it may protect it, it will also limit your max output.

Having owned an all 4 Ohm system with Marantz receivers, you are probably going to need a different receiver or an external amp for some or all of the speakers if you expect to listen at elevated levels. There pretty much are no AVRs that are truly 4 ohm stable.

 

[Verdinut]

They are basically suggesting that you try it as is (8 Ohm) and see if it sounds strained for your listening levels. The 4 Ohm setting will current limit the receiver, so while it may protect it, it will also limit your max output.

Having owned an all 4 Ohm system with Marantz receivers, you are probably going to need a different receiver or an external amp for some or all of the speakers if you expect to listen at elevated levels. There pretty much are no AVRs that are truly 4 ohm stable.

In the owner's manual for my Marantz SR5010, there is no indication whatsoever that you should not use the receiver with 4 ohm speakers. They however suggest that the receiver be configured for 4 ohm loads.

At present, I am using speakers where the impedance goes down to 4 ohms but not any lower, without any problem. But I left the impedance configuration to 8 ohms to prevent restricting the power output. I intend to purchase external amps because I am actively bi-amping the 3 front speakers.

The whole situation also depends on how loud someone listens to his HT system and the sensitivity of the speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

All of the previous Marantz amps never gave a 4 Ohm spec, but all of them had 6 Ohms min printed on the back (including the monoblocks and multichannel amps). They aren't going to say don't use 4 Ohm speakers, but I haven't encountered a receiver yet that can handle a full set of 4 Ohm speakers.

My A/V-2s are 4 Ohm nominal and drop to 2.6 Ohms and a full set of 5 of them was too much for it at elevated levels in a large room. Moving the front stage to external amps worked.

 

[Verdinut]

All of the previous Marantz amps never gave a 4 Ohm spec, but all of them had 6 Ohms min printed on the back (including the monoblocks and multichannel amps). They aren't going to say don't use 4 Ohm speakers, but I haven't encountered a receiver yet that can handle a full set of 4 Ohm speakers.

My A/V-2s are 4 Ohm nominal and drop to 2.6 Ohms and a full set of 5 of them was too much for it at elevated levels in a large room. Moving the front stage to external amps worked.

I well understand that if the speakers impedance goes down to 2.6 ohms at low frequencies, the Marantz amplifiers are not able to cope with the current demand. At frequencies higher than 250 Hz, a low impedance is not as important.

 

[lovinthehd]

Might want to review this article http://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/impedance-selector-switch-1

 

[Verdinut]

All of the previous Marantz amps never gave a 4 Ohm spec, but all of them had 6 Ohms min printed on the back (including the monoblocks and multichannel amps). They aren't going to say don't use 4 Ohm speakers, but I haven't encountered a receiver yet that can handle a full set of 4 Ohm speakers.

My A/V-2s are 4 Ohm nominal and drop to 2.6 Ohms and a full set of 5 of them was too much for it at elevated levels in a large room. Moving the front stage to external amps worked.

Here is page 34 of the Owner's Manual for the SR5010:

The text is a little small but indicates settings for 6 ohms and 4 ohms separately.

 

[mickanger]

Why not choose the 4 Ohm setting found in their manual?

I went through all of that and started to wonder why I would choose one over the other based on the science. So, I figured that some tech at Marantz could give me the Company position on the matter. Like I said originally, it was all "sciencey" and completely off the mark from my question about "the why" of it. I'm still waiting for something more decisive than "which way do you think it sounds better?"

 

[ski2xblack]

I went through all of that and started to wonder why I would choose one over the other based on the science. So, I figured that some tech at Marantz could give me the Company position on the matter. Like I said originally, it was all "sciencey" and completely off the mark from my question about "the why" of it. I'm still waiting for something more decisive than "which way do you think it sounds better?"

Did you read the link in post #7? It explains the science, as well as explaining the typical company line. The switch is there purely so the product can pass heat testing certification. It's not there to protect your speakers, nor is it there to enhance your listening pleasure. The high setting will allow full power, while the low setting will likely not (some exceptions noted in the article). So, if you care about faithful reproduction of dynamics-and you should, because it sounds better-then you should probably use the high impedance setting, monitor for heat, and be judicious with the volume knob.

 

[mickanger]

Did you read the link in post #7? It explains the science, as well as explaining the typical company line. The switch is there purely so the product can pass heat testing certification. It's not there to protect your speakers, nor is it there to enhance your listening pleasure. The high setting will allow full power, while the low setting will likely not (some exceptions noted in the article). So, if you care about faithful reproduction of dynamics-and you should, because it sounds better-then you should probably use the high impedance setting, monitor for heat, and be judicious with the volume knob.

Thanks I will check it out.

 

[mickanger]

Thanks I will check it out.

I have seen the light and will forever use the higher number (8 ohm). Thanks again, these forums are a boon to the uneducated everywhere.