Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater 4 ohms and the M80

i'm sure this question has been asked quite often, I run a Denon 3808CI. It puts for the fronts 130W + 130 W (8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz) after reading review after review and making my decision i now need to understand whether the 4 ohms M80 will conflict with the 8 ohms my Denon sais it wants to push. do i need to drop to the M60. I really don't want to if i don't have to. but need some advice please.

Not at all. The Denon doesn't care what the resistance (I know there's a better word for it, but I can't remember right now) is, it just pushes what is called for. In practical terms, it means that the Denon will run hotter with a 4 ohm load than an 8 ohm, but that receiver will handle this just fine. Other brands have been reported not to.

Rud, your 3808 doesn't say that it wants to push 8 ohm speakers(despite any claim to the contrary in the manual), in fact it has no idea what the impedance of a connected speaker is. It has to supply a certain voltage to drive a certain current to produce a given amount of power, following Ohm's Law. If it can supply that voltage and current it doesn't matter what the impedance is. Any receiver can drive any speaker, including one rated at 4 ohms, to some extent. The question is how loud and how long. The M80s are slightly above average in sensitivity and don't have any unusual power requirement. Your 3808 has a very powerful amplifier output, including into 4 ohms, and is one of the many receivers that should have no difficulty in driving the M80s adequately in the vast majority of setups.

I have the m80's and the denon 3808. It drives them with no problem whatsover, even at above average/normal listening levels. I also have a vp150 and 2 Qs8's running from the denon.

Many have the m80's and 3808 combo here on the board and I have heard no complaints.

Also, after long listening sessions the unit does not even appear to be that hot. I can place my hand on the top of it and it is just 'slightly warm'.

thanks for the reasurance.. i blew my last hamon kardon and have been a little bit leary. the last insedent could have been a combination of loud and long sesions, as well as some very old and poor quality speakers, maybe even a power surge or two... i'll now sleep well, and just anticipate the arrival..

Enjoy them when they arrive, as prieviously stated you'll hve no problem.

Even cheaper Denon's will drive 80's, they have for years. In fact, Denon is one brand Axiom recommends for the 80's, as is HK.