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#384053 - 10/12/12 06:53 PM VP150 @ 8ohm
brwsaw Offline
devotee

Registered: 10/12/12
Posts: 382
Loc: Canada
I'd really like to upgrade every speaker in my system to 8 ohm Axioms but the VP150 fits my center channel requirements best.
My current setup has a 6 ohm speaker running off an 8 ohm setting with no ill effects, at least none I'm aware of.
Will I wreck the VP150 if I connect it at 8 ohms?
Does the sound quality suffer?
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#384056 - 10/12/12 07:25 PM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
fredk Offline
axiomite

Registered: 12/06/07
Posts: 6721
Loc: Canada
You will be just fine. Johnk will be along shortly with the full explanation.
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#384071 - 10/12/12 09:59 PM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
JohnK Offline
axiomite

Registered: 05/11/02
Posts: 9980
BRW, welcome. The first point is that you're paying too much attention to speaker impedance ratings. Speakers vary widely in their impedance as they play various frequencies; often the rated impedance is approached less than half the time.

Specifically as to the impedance setting on the receiver, the higher default setting, which may be labeled as 8 Ohms or 6 Ohms, should always be left in effect, regardless of the rated impedance of the speakers. Changing the setting to the lower impedance number is specified in manuals because of safety requirements of the UL(Underwriters Laboratories)relating to overheating(of the receiver)with low impedance loads. It does this by reducing the voltage output of the receiver's power supply section, which following Ohm's Law results in a reduction in current and power. Tests have shown that the maximum power capability is cut roughly in half at the lower impedance setting.

So, the maximum capability of the receiver is available at the default higher impedance setting, and the speakers would be in greater danger of being damaged by receiver clipping because of less clean power being available at the lower setting, which in no way can improve the sound of the speaker.

Never change the 8 ohm setting.
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#384076 - 10/13/12 02:32 AM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: JohnK]
brwsaw Offline
devotee

Registered: 10/12/12
Posts: 382
Loc: Canada
Thanks.
VP150 it is.
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#385327 - 11/08/12 10:30 PM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
brwsaw Offline
devotee

Registered: 10/12/12
Posts: 382
Loc: Canada
If anyone's still reading this thread, maybe they could comment on using the VP 180 with the receiver at 8 ohm.It would likely be the only speaker not 8 ohm if we go ahead with it.
It seems this has been beat to death but it would be a shame to ruin either the receiver and or the speaker.

JohnK?


Edited by brwsaw (11/08/12 10:31 PM)
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#385329 - 11/08/12 11:00 PM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
Ken.C Online   content
shareholder in the making

Registered: 05/03/03
Posts: 17374
Loc: NoVA
It'll be fine. Remember that the 4 ohm/8 ohm switch actually limits current which could result in damage to the speaker (when set to 4 ohms). Always leave the switch on 8 ohms.
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#385335 - 11/09/12 12:10 AM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
JohnK Offline
axiomite

Registered: 05/11/02
Posts: 9980
It may have been "beat to death", but apparently the point still isn't clear: to get the clean maximum power for which the receiver was designed, it's necessary to use the full capacity of its power supply section, not cripple it by limiting the voltage output.
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#385350 - 11/09/12 08:49 AM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
Murph Offline
axiomite

Registered: 10/05/06
Posts: 6166
Loc: PEI, Canada
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#385351 - 11/09/12 08:53 AM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
Murph Offline
axiomite

Registered: 10/05/06
Posts: 6166
Loc: PEI, Canada
Sorry John, I couldn't help myself.

If only forum search buttons were not so frustrating to use. I hate saying "Please use the Search button." because I know I have trouble getting decent results myself.
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#385353 - 11/09/12 09:11 AM Re: VP150 @ 8ohm [Re: brwsaw]
Ken.C Online   content
shareholder in the making

Registered: 05/03/03
Posts: 17374
Loc: NoVA
But haven't you asked this question at least once before, brwsaw?
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