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What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
#337219 02/06/11 12:22 AM
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I admittedly know next to nothing about home audio. Is it wiser to choose a setup of fronts + center + surrounds that all share an equal ohm load, like 8 ohms, or is it okay to mix ohm loads, like 4 ohms for your fronts and 8 for everything else? Do funky things happen when you adjust the volume dial?

Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
Artisan #337220 02/06/11 12:31 AM
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First, don't worry so much about the impedance rating of loudspeakers.

And second, the setup routines in surround processors allow you to "trim" the individual volume levels for each channel. In fact, most modern receivers do this for you automatically with the use of an included microphone. Once the channel trims are set, the main volume will adjust all the speakers equally, keeping them at the same level.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
Artisan #337221 02/06/11 12:33 AM
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You can mix the ohms, whenever I was running M80s, VP150 and QS8s for my system, that was a mixture of 4 (M80s),6(VP150) and 8 ohms(QS8s) ... as long as you have an AVR or amp(s) that is rated for 4 ohms you should be fine.


Rick
Our Room

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Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
Artisan #337222 02/06/11 12:36 AM
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Hi Artisan,

Matching 8 ohm or 4 ohm specifications is meaningless. In fact it is impossible. Loudspeaker impedance is not constant and varies with frequency. For example if you look at the impedance graph of the M80 it ranges from 9ohm to almost 10ohm between 1k - 1.5k and dips as low as 3.2 ohms at 20 hz. 8ohm or 4ohm stated in manufacturers specifications is more or less an average.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/gallery_disp.html?image=M80-imp.gif&title=M80

The only thing you have to be careful with in regards to impedance is impedance minimums (below 4 ohms) and those occurring in the lower frequencies as that is what causes receivers or amps to go into current limiting/overheating.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
BlueJays1 #337223 02/06/11 12:39 AM
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Most of that information goes over my head with my current level of understanding. The takeaway message there that I'm picking up is that it doesn't matter and I shouldn't worry about it. Is that an accurate distillation?

Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
Artisan #337224 02/06/11 12:41 AM
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What receiver do you have?


M80's(2), VP150, QS8's(2), M3's(4)
Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
merchman #337225 02/06/11 12:46 AM
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Nothing! Ha!

I'm looking at my first set of speakers for a 2.0 or 2.1 stereo setup for music first, with a desire to eventually upgrade that to a 5.1 home theatre. Music is my primary directive. I'm looking at a receiver in the ~$500 range. The one that stood out to me is the Onkyo TX-SR608.

Onkyo TX-SR608

Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
Artisan #337227 02/06/11 12:54 AM
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That receiver should be just fine with any combo of Axiom speakers. Be sure to leave the ohm setting switch to 8 ohms and you should be good to go. smile

What speakers are you planning to get?


M80's(2), VP150, QS8's(2), M3's(4)
Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
merchman #337228 02/06/11 12:59 AM
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I don't know, yet. I'm being pulled every which way, but I keep returning to a starting point of a pair of M60s in 2.0 and eventually working my way up to an Epic 60 + 350 or 500, but I haven't ruled out M22s or M80s, either. Might even end up with M3s. No idea at this point. Gut instinct tells me M60s.

Re: What happens when you mix ohm loads in a 5.1 setup
Artisan #337235 02/06/11 02:36 AM
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Originally Posted By: Artisan
Most of that information goes over my head with my current level of understanding. The takeaway message there that I'm picking up is that it doesn't matter and I shouldn't worry about it. Is that an accurate distillation?


For the speakers you are looking at no it doesn't matter. On the other hand if you tried to run 5 M80's off that AVR then yes the low impedance posed by each of them would be a problem and you would need an amp with a beefy power supply.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
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