Hey all.. I just ordered the M80's. The AV receiver I have (given to me as I'm just starting out) is a Yamaha HTR-5450. It has a switch on the back for 4 ohm speakers. Should I use this, or leaving it on the 8 ohm setting work also? Any info or help regarding what I can or can't do without hurting the speakers or receiver would be greatly appreciated!! My uncle has a sweet all Axiom setup....hence why I didn't even look at another brand of speaker. Thanks again!

I would flip the switch as the M80 are rated at 4ohms. this is likely a limiter of some sort so that you don't over drive the power supply by pulling more current that it can handle. ie it might limit the volume that you can get so you don't melt the receiver.

ok..thanks! I was a little confused considering I've heard you can run them on 8 ohms but not for a very long time at high levels.

They say to keep that switch to the higher setting, as it will actually limit your receiver. The speakers have more freedom or range with the higher setting

thanks...thats what most people were saying in a post I was reading...I'll try it both ways to see if I can tell a difference. Don't know how loud I will usually listen so it might be fine on the 4 ohm setting. IF it doesn't get too hot on the 8 ohm setting after having it turned up for a bit, I'll probably leave it there.

Don't change the impedance selector unless in standby.

Eric, welcome to Axiom. Despite any suggestions to the contrary in the owners manual or elsewhere, never set the receiver to the lower impedance setting. Leave it at the default. The provision of a lower setting is due to safety regulations of Underwriters Laboratories. The receiver would overheat if being tested into a 4 ohm load continuously(which your speakers don't do)at full rated power. The lower setting reduces the available voltage from the receiver power supply section so that full power isn't available and overheating is less likely. Tests have shown that this can roughly cut the maximum power capability in half and make clipping more likely. Bad move; don't even try it.

Hello Eric45,

JohnK is absolutely correct. Leave your receiver on the 8-ohm setting, otherwise the available power will be severely limited using a 4-ohm setting. And, like some other newcomers who've posted here, do not turn the volume control "all the way up" to test the output limits, as this may drive the receiver into clipping, which can toast your M80s' drivers with a distorted clipped signal.

If your receiver's volume setting is calibrated in decibels (dB), then "0 dB" is the approximate maximum output capability. Don't test it by cranking it to that setting.

Regards,
Alan

Thanks for all the info fellas! So what other steps can i take to make it more likely that I won't hurt them. If i added an amp, would that give me the ability to "turn it up "as loud as I want with out hurting them? Thoughts?

Hi Eric45,

A big power amp like the ADA1500 will allow you to play your M80s very loud without any distortion. There is always a limit and always a way to push the limit higher right up until you end up with LFR1100s driven with a dedicated ADA1500-2 amplifier per speaker. But having lived with M80s driven with an ADA1500 amplifier, I can say with confidence you will be blown away.

Thank you so much for the information. I'm such a newbie when it comes to newer technology regarding AV receivers and speakers. My last unit was a plain pioneer stereo receiver and a set of speakers if that tells you how long ago it was...haha. Thanks again!