Marantz 2325 w/Speakerlab K-Horns

[Jeff2325]

I have a question about resistance ratings when it comes to using a Marantz 2325 (@ 8-ohms rating) and running a set of Speakerlab K-Horns (@ 4-ohms rating).
Does this make the receiver run hotter than necessary and/or will this contribute to overheating damage to the receiver?
This happens to be my current set-up and I really don't want to do any damage to any of my components.
If you can give me some good research information on this, I would certainly appreciate it.

Thanks so much,
Jeff2325

 

[swechsler]

All else being equal, yes, a 4Ω speaker will in many cases cause an amp to run hotter than an 8Ω speaker. However, the K-Horn is extraordinarily efficient, which means that it will require a lot less power than a standard speaker, 4Ω or 8Ω. Plus, the 2325 is rated to run 4Ω speakers. So I suspect that it will actually run cooler with the K-horns than it would with a standard set of 8Ω box speakers. An example of how efficiency vs the dB scale works: If these speakers are 10dB more sensitive than a standard set of speakers, it means they will need 1/10 of the output power to reproduce the same volume level than those standard speakers. The Klipschorn, on which the K-Horn is based, has a sensitivity rating of 105dB (that's from the most recent model but I don't think it's changed much over the years). Compared to a standard speaker with a sensitivity of 90dB, that's 1/30th the required power. So these speakers will be a walk in the park for your receiver.

But you should ensure that there is plenty of ventilation around the receiver.

If you're really concerned, after playing the system for a while at what you consider the maximum level you'd normally use, put the back of your hand against the left and right sides (that's where the output boards are) of the vent on the top rear of the Marantz's cabinet. If it just feels warm, you're fine. If it feels hot then it might be a problem.

 

[UncleAng]

Your Marantz 2325 won't have a problem with hardly any speaker.
My OHM's are 83 db efficient, or should I say inefficient, and rated at 6 ohms.
My 2325 makes them sing with no compression even at high volume.

 

[UncleAng]

But you should ensure that there is plenty of ventilation around the receiver.

Definitely. The WC-43 wood case looks pretty but does not afford near the ventilation than the metal case gives.

 

[Oerets]

The manual states 4 to 16 ohms nominal speaker impedance. If using 4 ohm then output is upped to 250 watts BTW.

So using 4 ohm you are at the limit so keep that in mind. Closer to a short and will cause more current because of this. Some speakers at times will dip below there stated rating. I do not know if yours are one of these. My suggestion is to feel the top and see if it is getting hot.

Any way checking the Bias and DC seems called for if not already done.

 

[blademan13]

The Marantz will not break a sweat. Not sure many amps would considering the speakers efficiency. I would drive these all day with a SET tube amp