Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Looking to upgrade...

The HK will be fine pushing a 4 ohm load.

Here's lab results of the AVR-330 which is the most simmilar AVR from HK I could find results on. If the amplifier circuitry is similar to the 235 but with a little more juice. I'll let other comment, I'm no expert.

Here's a quote:

"The AVR 330 handily exceeded its rated allchannels
power with five channels driven and
was only a couple of watts shy of the 55 W x 5
spec even with all seven outputs active. When
driving multichannel 4-ohm loads with steadystate
test signals (sine tones), the receiver activated
its protection modes after about half a
second if it was asked to produce more than
about 25 watts. Single-channel performance
was unaffected, and real-world dynamic signals
presented no problem with these low-impedance
loads."

So does that mean if you use a test signals you'll put the AVR in to protection mode with a 4ohm load, but if you send it real input like a CD/DVD that it will work fine since there's obviously a much greater variance in the frequencies it reproduces?

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/322004163324.pdf

In reply to:

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So does that mean if you use a test signals you'll put the AVR in to protection mode with a 4ohm load, but if you send it real input like a CD/DVD that it will work fine since there's obviously a much greater variance in the frequencies it reproduces?

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Sounds like it to me.When asked what recievers will handle the 4 ohm load of the M80s Alan (Axiom resident expert) always says HK,Denon and Nad.I don't recall him saying anything about specific models.

I know that Joe @ Axiom isn't a fan of "any" receiver running the 80s. It's more of a...

Seperates=80s
Receiver =60s

...kind of equation.

Though he doesn't deny that some receivers can "handle" the 80s because they're an easier than average 4 ohm load. He just doesn't recommend it to people.

My receiver actually has a switch for 4 ohms...and still I'm not sure if he'd recommend it. So it sounds like there's mixed opinions in the Axiom camp.

No one recommends the receivers with switches for 4 ohms! It actually reduces the power output, and the word I've heard from Axiom is don't do it unless your reciever is shutting down due to heat.

Thanks for all the input guys, a lot of expertise around here... since I know the upgrade path can be a bottomless pit, I am drawing the line at getting a fullblown amp set-up, but will upgrade my receiver if necessary, I think my best chance of keeping it reasonable is drop down to the 60's, the VP150, and the QS8's with an eventual reciever upgrade along with a pair of SVS PB 12's in a couple of months... maybe even add another set of 60's in the back sometime later. thoughts?

Great system. 2 thumbs up...

Here is a comment from Alan in an earlier post.

"All the Denons will drive M80s; likewise the H/Ks. They are the only brands of A/V receivers I recommend for the M80s (new NAD as well)."

I am sure that he was referring to mass market receivers, as there are several others that would perform well - Arcam, Rotel, etc

God I hate the term "mass market."

Next time you see a Denon, NAD, or Harman/Kardon at Walmart, let me know, huh?