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I purchased a Pioneer Elite VSX-23, planning to use it with my existing PSB Stratus Silver speakers as the Front L & R. Front stereo output is rated at 110W per channel.
Reading the Pioneer manual, i found:
"We recommend using speakers of 8 Ohm with this system, but it is possible to switch the impedance setting if you plan to use the speakers with a 6 Ohm impedance rating"
The PSBs are rated at 4 Ohm/ 89 dB.
I am wondering if I could still use them if I mated them with an 8 Ohm Center speaker and rear speakers. (I'm not sure if I'll be using rear speakers.)
Seems I would have to set the amp for "6 Ohms" or "8 Ohms".
The room is fairly small, and volumes won't be too high (I'm in a townhouse). But, I am wondering if I will be either:
a) Handicapping the speakers or
b) Damaging/ over heating the receiver (worse!)
Thanks for your comments
Follow Ups:
I have an onkyo 100 watt mch amp. in the specs of the manual it states it can handle 4 ohm in 2 channel. mine has the 8 & 6 ohm switch too. but never tried 4 ohm speakers on it.
mch dvd-a mch sacd & blu-ray concerts rule.
Using a dedicated 2 channel power amp for the front L and R. Connect it to the Pioneer's pre-outs for the front L and R. Almost every AVR will benefit from a separate power amp anyway, and a good used Adcom amp can be had for about $400.
Baba-Booey to you all!
Thanks, Alex and Grant for your replies.I have sent an e-mail to Pioneer, but I don't expect a positive response.
I'll see if I can find an amp in the $1,000.00 range that can handle 4 ohm loads, but won't be easy - so the Marantz 6004 and Denon AVR-2310 I was considering are also limited to 8 (or 6) Ohms.
At this point, it looks like I'll be exploring the Integra/ Onkyo options
Edits: 10/12/10
Underpowering a speaker can be as bad or worse than too much. In theory too much power is not possible as long as you don't turn it up too loud for the cabaility of the speaker being used. The speakers at 4 ohm (I did a quick review look-up and see they dip as low as 2.97 ohms but also go much higher at other frequencies) and 89db are not exactly an easy load. I would definitely call both manufacturers and ask their opinion, but I think you have both a good chance of sending your receiver into thermal overload (don't do this too many times) and doing potential harm to the speakers (fry the voice coils).
That said, I also feel the PSB Stratus Silvers are fantastic speakers and "deserve" a decent dedicated amp.
When it comes to questions about impedance and speaker loads, I always first talk to the manufacturer. Pioneer has some good reps that you can telephone. For confirmation, you could call them a second time and discuss the matter with a service technician familiar with the receiver.
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