Mike: actually that isn't such an ignorant question!
The short answer is that there are watts and then there are watts.
If your receiver has pre-outs you could look for an amplifier that is rated at 4 ohms (for the M80s). I think that should be an acceptable solution. By the way, what is the brand/ model of your receiver? I guess that it isn't rated for 4 ohms? My old Kenwood isn't rated for 4 ohms (at least that I can tell) but it drives the M80s just fine. I don't listen to really loud music/ HT, only about 70-80 dB. And, I wouldn't be terribly upset if my old Kenwood bit the dust because I'm in the market for some new gear.
Hope that this helps.
The Rat.
M80s, VP-150, QS8s,
SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO,
Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880
Sony 60" SXRD HDTV
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