Yamaha 2050 zone 2

[DJWPAR3]

I have set up my 2050 in my main room to do 5.1.4. I know it's a 9 channel amp, but there are 11 powered speaker outputs!
How can I utilize the 2 extra speakers(ceiling speakers in living room) for a zone 2(already wired back to the receiver.)
The following from Yamaha has me confused.


The RX-A2050's nine-channel amplifier with eleven powered speaker outputs gives you the flexibility to extend playback of different sources to four different rooms. You can play music in up to two additional rooms while enjoying five- or seven-channel surround sound in your living room. If you have nine speakers connected in your main room, Yamaha's Intelligent Amp Assign feature automatically activates all nine speakers when the second and third zones aren't in use.

A second HDMI output lets you select an independent video source for playback on a TV in a fourth room, so it's easy to put on a movie for the kids to watch in the rec room while you catch up on your TV shows in the living room. Since HDMI carries both video and audio signals, a single-cable connection is all that's require

What would be the SIMPLEST way to use zone 2(audio only).
I do have a 2 unused AVR's(SONY D-597 & Yamaha 863) if I need it, but would like to avoid it if the 2050 can handle it.

My .4 speakers are already assigned to front and rear presence.

I'd also like NOT to turn to MUSICAST yet, as these zone 2 speakers are already installed and sound great!

If you need more info please let me know.
I appreciate your help......

Yamaha 2050
Samsung LN46" (about to be upgraded)
SVS Prime Towers & Center
Paradigm PSB 1000 10" sub.
6 Yamaha in- ceiling speakers
BDI REVO cabinet.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Like the manual says, the amplifier has 9 channels that can be used simultaneously (the other pair of speaker jacks merely give you an “either/or” option). If you want to use two of them for Zone 2, that gives you 7 available for the main room. If that is not enough, - i.e. if you need more than 9 simultaneously active connections – you will need an outboard amplifier.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[herbu]

Like the manual says, the amplifier has 9 channels that can be used simultaneously (the other pair of speaker jacks merely give you an “either/or” option).

Right. In other words, if you turn on 2 channels in Zone 2, your AVR will turn off 2 channels in your main zone, (since you are using all 9 channels in your main zone).

So the "easiest" way to use Zone 2 would be to do just that. If you don't want to turn off 2 channels in your main, you'll need to use 2 pre-outs and one of your extra AVRs for Zone 2.

I wonder how much you would really miss 2 of your height channels when you turned on Zone 2.

 

[DJWPAR3]

Thank you both for your prompt reply.

I understand the 9 channel max and agree that the loss of 2 height channels would not be serious while using zone 2,...in fact since the 2 rooms are adjacent and it's mostly music i listen to this way no one would notice.
I now see that I can utilize "power amp assign", choose "9 channels+1 zone", and when I don't engage zone 2, all 9 main channels work. The 2050 shuts the back surrounds if Zone 2 is activated.
That's the Intelligent Amp Assign feature, I cited above.
So the problem was, I was not using the "power amp assign" correctly. I had it set to Basic.

Thanks Again!

This is FUN!....so why does my head hurt