Medart Posted July 17, 2021 Posted July 17, 2021 Hi, just want ing to tap into the knowledge of our subscribers. I've upgraded my HT setup, with new AVR. Now running Marantz SR8015, huge improvement over old second tier Yamaha. Speakers: B&W 805s, SR M-1, SRB AM-1. Was using low end B&W centre, which was inadequate. Looking for some time for HTM3/4 S, but only came across a couple in Europe and not confident with purchasing. Then thought I'd up to HTM D series, but with recent HT investments, buying new was not going to pass muster with Finance Minister. So looking for 2nd hand but in past couple months, these hard to find and at near new price if I did find. Found that Covid led to B&W ceasing production temporarily, so supply demand leading to price anomalies. No idea on when would stock would be available again. Whilst googling I came across an Acoustic Physic centre ,small German company, hand made. Demonstrator, immaculate system at a great price and with frustration led impulse I made the purchase.. Speaker has great clarity so not far off 805s's, just shame it doesn't look like the HTM2 D3 I was looking for in the end. Now the question: new centre rated 4ohms, all others 8 owms. No problems running so far but haven't played at any volume in week I've had ( can't get kids out of house in lockdown). I haven't run calibration again. Nigling thought that I should change a setting on amp. Just found info from Marantz re impedance setting. " 8ohms (Default): Select when the impedance for all of the connected speakers is 8 Ω/ohms or over. 6ohms: Select when the impedance for any of the connected speakers is 6 Ω/ohms. 4ohms: Select when the impedance for any of the connected speakers is 4 Ω/ohms. " Would like some thoughts as to what effects this may have. Will it change how it runs main, 8ohm, speakers? Will AVR run hotter/colder/ work harder? Any other considerations? Have I erred for Financial Controllers' sake, and should go back to an all 8ohm system. Thanks in advance, the knowledge base is appreciated.
betty boop Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Medart said: I haven't run calibration again. Nigling thought that I should change a setting on amp. Just found info from Marantz re impedance setting. " 8ohms (Default): Select when the impedance for all of the connected speakers is 8 Ω/ohms or over. 6ohms: Select when the impedance for any of the connected speakers is 6 Ω/ohms. 4ohms: Select when the impedance for any of the connected speakers is 4 Ω/ohms. " this question is often asked in forums. multiple times even here. the resounding answer is no dont select 4 ohm or 6 ohm setting on the marantz AVR. instead if worried about amping your speakers... i would get a stand alone amplifier... the stand alone marantz avr is a flagship and gutsy but with kind of level speaker you are utilising i would be using external amps... something akin to rotel power amps at the very least and using the pre outs from your AVR you can go back catalog on amps... as amps last and even old amps going back can be bought affordably and do an excellent job... your 805 stand mounts too would relish the higher quality power ... possible with external amplifiers... and much choice so many brands ... rotel, nad, elektra, Bryston you name it all will be a step up from power in the avr which can be used still for less demanding surround channels and such ... Edited July 18, 2021 by betty boop 1
Medart Posted July 18, 2021 Author Posted July 18, 2021 Thanks Betty. As the hi fi bug has taken hold again, though I keep saying one more step and I'll sit for a while, I do find myself scouring the classifieds for a standalone amp now that centre speaker updated. Problem, is I end up buying new when I get frustrated of waiting, budget drops again! On that point, if I use front pre out to amp, volume should still be controlled though Marantz and will automatically switch on: too many remotes already! So back to situation now, won't stress AVR by having 4ohm centre? Should I waited until B&W stocked up again, regarding AVR integration ( sonically no complaints with new speaker). Sounded strange to me to change amp speaker settings to match centre, hence the question. I would have thought that with all the technology in the Marantz, it would sense that automatically. Thanks for your advice and suggestion re. amp making that itch harder to ignore.
betty boop Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 51 minutes ago, Medart said: Thanks Betty. As the hi fi bug has taken hold again, though I keep saying one more step and I'll sit for a while, I do find myself scouring the classifieds for a standalone amp now that centre speaker updated. Problem, is I end up buying new when I get frustrated of waiting, budget drops again! On that point, if I use front pre out to amp, volume should still be controlled though Marantz and will automatically switch on: too many remotes already! no extra remotes needed buy amp with 12v trigger abs it will trigger of the Marantz - switching on and off with it and yes the volume will be controlled by the Marantz if buying new look out for sales and buy well and buy once commensurate with quality of your speakers ie something in the medium to higher end of quality rather than cheap out with some budget nasty out of kilter with rest of your gear 54 minutes ago, Medart said: So back to situation now, won't stress AVR by having 4ohm centre? Should I waited until B&W stocked up again, regarding AVR integration ( sonically no complaints with new speaker). Sounded strange to me to change amp speaker settings to match centre, hence the question. I would have thought that with all the technology in the Marantz, it would sense that automatically. yes use as is dont select 4 ohm - just back off on volume if starts to sound edgy … details being smeared … don’t let get to point starts breaking up resist the urge to keep cranking louder and louder for more clarity and dynamics as in actual case just go backwards more abs more crank it !
Medart Posted July 18, 2021 Author Posted July 18, 2021 Thanks Betty, great advice. Tend to listen to music, 2 channel plus sub, at louder levels than movies/tv, so less chance damage (?) as centre not operating. Theoretical question: Less resistance of centre speaker ( 4ohm) so will draw more current from amp, which is where risk of damage is. Does more current mean centre speaker will sound louder, compared to my 8ohm speakers?
betty boop Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Medart said: Thanks Betty, great advice. Tend to listen to music, 2 channel plus sub, at louder levels than movies/tv, so less chance damage (?) as centre not operating. Theoretical question: Less resistance of centre speaker ( 4ohm) so will draw more current from amp, which is where risk of damage is. Does more current mean centre speaker will sound louder, compared to my 8ohm speakers? usually sensitivity drives that... and you pickup in calibration... ie audyssey will pull back to compensate... so i wouldnt worry on that. let audyssey do its thing....
Medart Posted July 18, 2021 Author Posted July 18, 2021 Yep, waiting to run Audyssey... not easy during lockdown with kids home schooling as well 1
petetherock Posted July 18, 2021 Posted July 18, 2021 Stick to the 8ohm setting, re-run Audyssey and that's it..
Recommended Posts