Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions M80s

I now the 4 ohm question comes up a lot, so bare with me. i am asking bout pairing the m80s with my pioneer elite 92, hoping that the 4 ohm is not a problem. if any has the same pairing can you tell me that its a good or bad match, also how you got the pioneer to go down to 4 ohms. the instructions only give 8 and 6 ohm options. hope this isnt to dumb of a question, just want the m80s really bad and seeing if i have to buy a separate amp for them.
thank you

Leave the Pio on 8 ohms, the 6 ohm setting merely limits the current available. Don't worry about "matching" speakers to receivers or amplifiers, any amp/amp section designed in the last 20 years or so to have flat response (ie, not a tube amp) will sound the same.

Get the M80s and try them. Mine work fine on my H/K 525, which only puts out 75 WPC.

thank you k

But I don't even know you, and this is a family forum!

Hello axiom_fan

Welcome to the forum,

Do not use the impedance selector switch because it will drop the voltage to the power sections which can limit the dynamics (less headroom) and overall fidelity. It is best to leave the switch always set to 8 ohms.

The reason manufacturers implement those switches is mainly due to UL approvals.

If this is a family forum, I'd hate to see the naughty ones.

Your Pioneer is THX certified which means it can withstand a 3 ohm load, you should be good to go and as the others have mentioned no need to do any power adjustments, just run it as is.

From what I remember, Pionneer is certified THX Select2, which does not include 3.2 Ohm test. It is the Ultra2 that does that.

It is my understanding that for an avr to receive any type of THX certification it has to maintain the same power specs, the select and ultra etc. have to do with the audio processing for room size etc.

I have a strong impression that I saw a table where there 3.2 Ohm was in a column for Ultra, but not for Select. I just spent 15 minutes trying to find anything on the subject to no avail (I remember it had taken me quite a bit of effort the first time).
So I would say that, until I find it again, let's assume they both have the same tests for what I think they called "amp stability". If I ever fall on my original info again, I will enquire further and report back (but I do not intend to spend any more time on it! ).

I'd rather see it straight from THX themselves, but ....

"When it comes to amplification, continuous output tests are run on up to one, four, and five channels (simultaneously) of an Ultra product, but only one at a time on Select. With all products, the dynamic amplifier tests are done on up to all available channels. Ultra amplifiers must be stable on all channels to 3.2 ohms and swing an 18A peak, while Select products must be stable into 4 ohms (front channel) and 8 ohms (surrounds), and swing peaks of 12.5A and 6.2A respectively."

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_1/feature-article-thx-1-2006-part-4.html

I've never felt that a THX certification really meant anything other than the manufacturer had sent a check to George Lucas. I mean, yay, another badge for the front of the gear, but I don't buy something just on the basis of being THX certified. There's a ton of fantastic audio gear that isn't THX certified. Axiom speakers, for example. Technically speaking, you're breaking the 'THX chain' by using them.

There are several members here with newer Pioneer Elite AVR's that have no problems running M80's, even though Pioneer still insists that 6-ohm speakers are the lowest their AVR's will drive.

I pay attention to this because I am one who has had problems with M80's and a Pioneer Elite. My old VSX-43TX (2001 model) can't drive my M80's at high volume before starting to clip. Which is why I drive my system with an Emotiva LPA-1 amp.

Well here is the scoop from THX.com on the Select, select 2, Ultra. I would guess judging from these the THX certification of select and select 2 means there is less power in the amp as it is only required to work in smaller rooms/listening environments.

http://thx.com/products/home/logos/index.html?f=h2

http://thx.com/products/home/speakers.html

http://thx.com/products/home/avreceivers.html

Just found this site:

http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/thx-home-cinema.html

Judging from all of these, I would surmise a THX select or select 2 avr should still be capable of driving the 3.2 ohm load but not in a large room, as the room size goes up you would need a THX ultra or ultra 2 certification to handle this load to achieve proper volume levels.

and one more web site

http://www.avguide.com/how-to/home-theater-audio?page=1

Hey, where's Bob lately? he's getting his M80s very soon....