Volume controls and multi zone impedance question

[adesigner1]

Hi,
I have a Receiver rated at 8 ohms. A right and left Channel connected to a Pyle PSS6 multi room switch. 4 niles vcs100 speaker volume controls, each connected to a pair of 8 ohm speakers (Left/right). The PSS6 switch has a protection circuit button.

Does the protection circuit button keep the level safely at 8 ohms regardless of how the switches in the control knobs are set?
I can set the switches in the control knobs properly to match the receiver, but it s the recent addition of the Pyle Pss6 that confuses me. For example if I switch off two of the zones on the Pss6, doesn't that unbalance my system and lower the impedance to possibly dangerous levels? Maybe I'm close, but just don't understand exactly, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Chris

 

[macddmac]

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum!
The VC's likely have impedance matching or magnification as Niles calls it. If so, your best bet is to use either the vc method or the speaker selector ( I would trust the Niles over the other).

As for keeping the impedance seen by the receiver at a safe level, it depends on how many pairs you are running. With four pairs @ 8 ohms with impedance matching jumpers set correctly, 8x I believe, you should have no problems.
I have several zones in my basement using a similar setup and have never had an issue.
Ymmv.
Cheers, Mac

 

[ImcLoud]

I use non mathcing volume controls with a monoprice selector that has matching enabled, with 6 pairs of 8 ohms, It never goes below 4 ohms... I believe it said to use a 4 ohm amplifier in the instructions... I have had all zones on at a good volume for a few hours to test it all out and my Emotiva upa200 didnt break a sweat.... I was sick of hearing it before it was even warm...

 

[adesigner1]

Thanks for the feedback. So Mac, you are recommending that I don't use a speaker selector switch in conjunction with multi zone volume control knob sys. As I described? Could I just use the switch and leave all the zones "on", with switches in volumes set properly? I like how the Pyle pss6 helps making so many wire connections.

 

[macddmac]

Use the selector as a selector and let the VC's handle the impedance issue.
Imcloud's method works as well. His amp sees a different ohm load likely due to the additional 2 prs of speakers on his rig.
Cheers, Mac