Will this 7.1 set-up overload my reciever?

[scarecrow]

I have a yamaha rxv650 and I'm going to place on it 7 speakers...the speakers are: (all 8 ohms) 4 cerwin vega v-series 12" woofer 5.5 inch mid 1.25 inch tweeter to be placed on (2 on)front and (2 on)surround, 2 wharfedale 8 inch woofer and 1 inch tweeter to be placed on back (left and right) surround, and one cerwin vega v-series center channel (two 5.5 inch midwoofers and one 1.5 inch tweeter). The amp is rated at 95watts x 7 and all speakers are to be and are 8 ohm or higher. I'm just wondering if this reciever can take a 7.1 setup with 4 giant cerwins two big wharfedales and a fairly powerful center. Is there a certain volume I shouldn't cross, can I set the speakers to small or large to save power. Should I just use one rear? Anyways, I want the 7.1 but I'm afraid of these massive speakers driving the amp to clipping, and overloading the amp, even though they're all 8 ohms. Thanks for any help.

 

[zumbo]

YES I have had my Cerwins since '85. I have clipped every receiver and amp I have ever had with these speakers, in 2-channel mode. I would strongly recommend NOT going that route. Use 8ohm speakers with 6.5" or 7" mid-bass and a powered sub. It will sound much better.

 

[krzywica]

One rear will not affect the output too much because each channel has a dedicated output and it will not matter if you use all or one channels. I think you will have trouble if you really want to jam out with those 12's, try not to be over 0db for extended periods of time.

Try running your system as lound as you can stand or on 0db for about an hour, all the while checking your reciever by touch for excessive heat, at the same time listen for clipping and any type of distortion. If the highs start to get muddy half way through your test or you are just lacking oomph then you might want to get a more powerful amp or more efficient speakers with a good sub to split the load.

 

[Lincoln]

NO, it will not overload your recvr. Now at 95w/ch it might not play at the levels you want but it's not gonna hurt the electronics.

 

[zumbo]

Sorry. I have been down that road, and I know for certain the receiver will go into protection mode over and over until the unit retires. Also, there is no need for four 12" woofers. The rears will not move. They might in 7-channel stereo, but the unit will shut down for sure under that load.

I repeat. I AM CERTAIN!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

You can run your receiver at normal listening levels, but as listening time progresses, your heat sinks will get extremely hot. You can reduce the heat and prolong the listening time by adding a cooling fan over your receiver. Make sure to allow ample ventilation all around your Yamaha and it will play fine. Excessive heat triggers the protection mode, and excessive heat will shorten the life of an amplifier by weakening the soldering in the unit. Keep it cool and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[scarecrow]

If I had a yamaha rxv 1500 or rxv 2500 would it fare better or would it still require the same care? I'm wondering because I'm still kicking myself for not getting one when I had the chance and the money. Thanks.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If I had a yamaha rxv 1500 or rxv 2500 would it fare better or would it still require the same care? I'm wondering because I'm still kicking myself for not getting one when I had the chance and the money. Thanks.

Usually the more the receiver weighs, the larger the heat sinks are. The larger the heat sinks, the more heat the unit can take. There is not a lot of difference between 85 watts per channel and 110 watts per channel, but there is a difference in how long a unit can play at those levels. That's why your high end monoblock amps weigh so much - huge heat sinks. You are fine with your receiver. I use a separate cooling fan for my Denon 3805 - one of the best AV receivers on the market. Back in the late 80's and early 90's, I drove four 12" three way speakers with a Pioneer 45 watt receiver without a hitch - at very loud dorm parties. These speakers were very efficient - probably 97 db. The speakers nowadays are rated at extremely conservative levels to ensure you don't blow the drivers with todays more powerful amps - 87db to 91db. For every 3db, you need twice the power for the same listening levels. If your speakers are inneficient, then your receiver or amp will run hot, and thus I recommend a cooling fan. If your speakers are efficient, then you can play them loud all day. Check the top of the receiver from time to time to see how hot it gets. If it's very hot, then turn it down. You're reading too much into this. Simple logic here.

 

[scarecrow]

The 12" vegas are actually 98db so I guess that's not bad, the other ones are about 90db. I used to run my sony 40watt or so(1988 model) with the four vegas and it didn't get overly hot and now I'm being overly anxious about this! I think like you guys are saying is just watch the heat and if it starts to sound wierd watch the volume. thanks.

 

[zumbo]

It looks as though you have the speakers. For some reason, I was thinking you were shopping for speakers.
If your receiver goes into protection mode, then try to pay attention to where the sound quality goes south. Then, try not to run at that level again. Your receiver will be fine as long as you don't demand too much from it.
If it shuts down on a regular basis, your next best option would be a 2-channel amp for the mains (if you have outputs). This would improve the overall sound quality, and save your receiver.
Cerwin Vega is the only brand I have ever owned that outlasted the electronics, but I think they were part of the reason. Or I was!

 

[scarecrow]

Thanks, zumbo, I'll see how it goes.