Sony-Volume problem with speaker setup

[Nick K]

I just added 2 wall speakers to my kitchen and am running them from the "B" option on my good old Sony STR-D711.

For years I have had a surround system set up (Klipsch 2.0 center, 2.5 satellites, 10" powered sub, and surround speakers) and I am just adding a couple of Boston Acoustics D2155 speakers in the kitchen.

When I turn the speaker switch to A+B, the satellite speakers barely, and I mean barely work, while the kitchen and the surround speakers are loud.

I have played around with the surround settings but have had no luck.
I am wondering if I am underpowering all these speakers and the power is flowing to the path of least resistance?

Switching back to "A" makes the surround and satellites work fine again.

Any ideas would be helpful.
Thx.
Nick

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker wiring

Nick,
Most receivers have the A and B speaker posts connected and parallel to the same amp channel. If you have 8 ohm speakers, the receiver will see a 4 ohm load when you select A AND B. This is dificult for most entry level receivers and can cause it to overheat and go into shutdown.

I recommend running the A OR B speakers off of the receiver, but not A AND B. Alternately, if you want all speakers on a once, get an inexpensive stereo amp and connect it to the line level Tape output on the receiver to power the kitchen speakers.

This AudioSource amp would work well for your application:
http://www.ubid.com/AudioSource_AMP100_100_Watt_Two_Channel_Amplifier/a10966672.html

 

[Nick K]

Thanks for the response - clarification(?)

Thanks much for the advice.

Just to confirm, my receiver has Tape 1 Line In and Line Out (manual below).
Will this amp solution work?

Thx!

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=STRD711&LOC=3

 

[Nick K]

another twist learned today

I disconnected the "B" speakers and found that I have the same problem -- the "A" speakers don't work when I switch to "A+B". So even if I didn't add the B speakers, the A speakers go out when switching to A+B. Is my A+B switch not working properly?