DANGER? 4 speakers into a single AV receiver

[jlv1982]

Hey all,

So, I want to run 2 sets of floorstanders into my receiver (why? Cause I like to be ridiculous).
Can I do this safely or do I need a separate amp to run them together? Specs below.

Receiver-

Sony STRDA2ES

Power output: 100 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Surround output: 100W (front), 100W (center), 100W (rear)
Frequency response: 10Hz to 100kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.09%
Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio: 86dB (MM), 96dB (line)
Output: 150mV (line)
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω
(https://www.cnet.com/products/sony-str-da2es/specs/)


Speakers-

Set 1:
2 JBL N38s
Nominal (RMS) Output Power 175 Watt
Frequency Response 45 Hz
Input Impedance 8 Ohm
(https://www.cnet.com/products/jbl-n38/specs/)

Set 2:
2 Polk Audio Monitor 50s
Frequency Response 42 Hz
Input Impedance 8 Ohm
(https://www.cnet.com/products/polk-audio-monitor-50-speaker-maple/specs/)

 

[BillyTheKid]

does your receiver have A and B speaker capability ?

 

[jlv1982]

does your receiver have A and B speaker capability ?

It does.

 

[jlv1982]

When hooking all four 8ohm speakers up, it drop to 4ohm right? Which is within the "range" mentioned under the "B" speaker terminals? Just trying to be safe (while still being carelessly loud).

 

[FileFixer]

6 Channel Amplifier: 100W x 6, 100W x 2 @8 ohms, 4 ohm/8 ohm Switching, A/B or A+B Speaker Switch Front Speakers... Six independent amplifier, I think, can to power six speaker independently with power output which is declared on 100W per output.

 

[hjames]

Does not sound like a problem to me ... did you want to run both pairs at the same time, or alternate them?
With both running at the same time, when speaker load drops to 4 ohms, output amp effective power goes up, so amp may run hotter.

 

[KevinJS]

You probably have a multi-channel stereo setting on your receiver, which will feed the speakers connected to the surround posts with the same signal as the mains. Since you would be amplifying each set of speakers independently, there would be no impedance issues.

No idea what Sony call that setting. I've used it on my Yamaha with 3 pairs of low impedance speakers and no problems.

The front B speakers are probably intended for high/wide speaker placement, specifically for raising the dialog position. On the Yamaha, and presumably the Sony, the speakers in that position get a mixture of the main and centre signal, which can be boosted via the menu system to lift the dialog so that voices appear to come from the actor's position on the screen.

 

[jlv1982]

Does not sound like a problem to me ... did you want to run both pairs at the same time, or alternate them?
With both running at the same time, when speaker load drops to 4 ohms, output amp effective power goes up, so amp may run hotter.

At the same time. The amp says it can handle 4 to 16ohm, so as long as i don't run it with all 4 blaring for a long time I hope to be ok.

 

[Putterman]

There are a few ways to handle this. The first is to run the 2nd pair of speakers off the B terminals and just keep an eye on how hot the receiver gets. If it stays cool or only warm, you're good to go.

If it runs hot you could get an accessory fan and that might be sufficient. I've seen them often at thrifts designed for laptops but would likely work with a receiver.

You could also get a powered subwoofer which remove much of the load from the receiver (and likely improve the bass response.)

Finally the 3rd option would be to use the preamp outs for the front speakers, (an option you're already aware of.)

From what I can tell of the Sony specs, it's overbuilt for 100wpc AV receiver and should be fine.

 

[nfafan]

For awhile I ran 1 or 2 8-ohm speakers ** per ** RF, LF, Center attachment points (total up to 6 speakers), plus 1 each 16-ohm E-V 12TRXB per RR, LR; grand total of 8 speakers off the AVR.
I am now rotated down to 1 speaker each connection - except for the center chan which remains as a pair of EPI-100s ganged together, total 6 speakers.

Plus - the subwoofer. Then again, I rarely ever play loud so as to not bother everyone else in the house.