Too much amp for my bookshelves?

[Beatmatcher247]

I get concerned about this from time to time.

Synch 1's, B's, and C, are all 4 ohm speakers.

5250V2 New Classic is 385x5 @ 4 ohm 250x5 @8 ohm is powering all of the above.

For whatever reason when I bought my gear, I was under the impression that the C and B's were 8 ohm, dropping a more manageable 250W load across them? This is not the case as they are all 4 ohm speakers getting the brunt of the amplifiers power.

Synch Bs: 15-150W
Synch C: 15-200W


Am I asking for trouble with this setup? Things sound really good at reference levels (0 dB) on the preamplifier, but could I be doing damage that isn't audible? I have subs so all of my speakers including my main are set to "small" and crossed over at 80 Hz. I hope I'm worrying about nothing

I've always heard its better to overpower than to underpower, but that can only be true to a point. How can you tell if amplifier is clipping/damaging speakers without an Oscilliscope?

If I add a set of Synch S's, may it be worth exploring another 5-channel amplifier with more appropriate power output for the my smaller speakers, sell the big 5-channel, and get a higher-end 2-channel for my mains?

 

[GranteedEV]

They're your surround speakers. Chances are that they're only getting around < 50 watts @ 4ohm max, unless you're running it in five channel mono (AKA Party mode).

 

[walter duque]

I think you're better off with the amp you got. I drive mine with 350/500 watts x 6. At 0db you should not be clipping at all with the amp you got. Mine starts to slightly clip at +6db. Even (like Grant says) in party mode my speakers are still safe at + 6db. With a lesser amp I think you have a greater chance of blowing the speakers. A few days ago I hooked up an amp that puts out 500W@8ohms-900W@4ohms to my rear surrounds which are MTM 6" drivers and all was safe, thank god. But I did notch it up to +6db, very carefully. I think you're good. Now, if you would ask me, I would tell you get a more power full amp. In my book entry level power is 200W@8ohms. I just feel saver with more power then with less. You don't have any clipping indicators on that amp???

 

[Beatmatcher247]

Thanks for the reassurance. it has a high temperature indicator but not a clipping indicator. When i was really rocking out one night something smelled hot so i turned it off. Let it rest a bit, listened to see if anything sounded damaged... It did not. Something smelled like hot metal but the temp. Indicator never came on. A buddy of mine who is sharp with electronics aid it was probably a little solder resin gettinf aromatic and is nothing to worry about. I rock out pretty hard in stereo mode +3 dB for longer than i should and have never seen it light up.
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Ive seen what clipping looks like on a silly-scope, but dont know what to listen or watch for. i get a little neurotic about my babies.

 

[GranteedEV]

If that's the case, I suppose adding a two channel 600w class D amp might not be the worst idea... Crown XLS1500.

That said your Front speakers will have their limits. They're really not not made for +3db type levels.