Ugh.. Help Needed w/ 4-Channel Stereo Output

[Photek]

Alright I really could use some expert advice. I have a Marantz SR-19 receiver, two Definitive 450 Bookshelf speakers and a nice Definitive sub..

Now, I use this system for everything but mainly music and I wanted to add on two more Definitive speakers to complete the setup. Since I listen to music mainly I want the sound output to be equally divided between these 4 speakers (4-channel stereo output is it called?).

However, I can't determine if my receiver even supports this? It was a high-end product when I bought it years ago so I just assumed it would allow me to do 4-channel but I need to be absolutely positive before I go shell out the cash for two nice speakers (thinking of getting 2 Definitive towers and moving my bookshelves to the rear)

Can someone please lend some much needed help/advice on how I can run equal levels through all 4 speakers - if this is even possible on my receiver.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I took a look through the owner's manual for the SR-19 (available from Marantz at the link here). I didn't see any obvious and safe way to do it without using more equipment. Some receivers have two pairs of front speaker outputs, but it doesn't appear that the SR-19 does. It does appear to have pre-amp outputs, though. So, you could get an external stereo amplifier and power the new speakers with that amp, but still control the volume and source with the Marantz.

Hooking up two pairs of speakers to one set of speaker outputs presents a lower impedance to the receiver than would one pair of speakers (I believe). I do NOT advise that with the SR-19, at least until someone with more knowledge chimes in, because the only power rating I saw was 8 Ohms (and that's what it says on the back panel, too, at least in the manual).

 

[Photek]

Thanks for the quick response!

Yeah I've been messing around with the two speakers I have for the past 3 hours. I tested how the different levels sounded after I hooked one speaker up to the surround sound input and one to the main front L/R - the surround speaker was always very low volume if even on at all.

I'm willing to get an amplifier like you said, however, I have never used one and am not sure how to rig it - you said though once I have it set up I don't need to touch the amp; I can control the volume from the receiver alone?
Would it be wired as: Receiver >> Amp >> New 3rd/4th Speakers ?

 

[Adam]

Would it be wired as: Receiver >> Amp >> New 3rd/4th Speakers ?

Yep! It's very easy, actually. You would get an amplifier with RCA audio inputs and connect it to your receiver using the RCA audio outputs for the front speakers. Then, you'd connect the new speakers to the amp using the same sort of speaker posts that you're use to on the receiver.

There are a lot of different amplifiers out there. Some cheap, some very expensive. We'd be happy to help you with info on different models (and I'd suggest that you do a little looking around here, as there are a LOT of posts on amps). You would look at the power and impedance handling of the amp versus the speakers that you want to power. Aesthetics are a big thing to some people (like me ), and that's another thing that you can look at.

 

[Photek]

Awesome sounds pretty straight forward.

Hmm.. so I guess my question then is does the exact specs of the amp matter - I'm planning on powering two Definitive tower speakers (BP6B I believe) I think they rec. wattage on these are 20-180 W. With that in mind would I need just a lower end amp? Also, if I run these two speakers through an amp will it be relatively easy to ensure that output from all 4 speakers is equal?

Edit: I could probably answer these questions on amps through your other posts like you mentioned Checking now