Amp to go with B&W v201

[bill04]

Hey everyone,

I picked up a pair of B&W v201 bookshelf speakers in perfect condition for $8 at a local goodwill. The are 4 ohm @ 60watt rms. Would most 8ohm receivers be able to drive these small b&ws?


Bill

 

[Zonker92]

My experience is that a decent receiver with a good power supply, viz., a receiver that has some heft to it, will be OK. But not a lightweight crappy receiver. If it weighs under 15 pounds or so, it may shut off or overheat at higher volumes.

 

[bill04]

Thanks for the advice. Is it unusual for speakers this small to be 4 ohm? I've always thought most bookshelves were 8. I do believe that these were some of B&w's lowest end models (msrp $200 in the 90s), what the hell were people driving them with?

 

[Zonker92]

Sorry, but I don't know about that issue. I have had 4-ohm speakers of other types, and I've never known exactly why they were made that way. I'd be curious for a speaker expert to explain why some speakers are made that way. My best guess is the designers just happened to choose drivers that were made with lower impedance for some reason.

My advice would be to try them with a quality receiver and keep an eye on the receiver, with decent ventilation, to ensure it doesn't overheat at high volume. if it stays relatively cool you should be OK.

 

[DaveHo]

I think you'll be fine with an 8ohm rated receiver. I had a pair of the v202's & drove them with a cheapo Pioneer SX-2800 @ high volumes without issue.