I'd like some advice from the experts on a speaker question. At present my 970 is feeding two vandersteen 2Ce fronts through a Wyred4sound ST500, with LFE output to an SMS feeding 2 LFM-EX. I just purchased two Triad ceiling speakers to use as side surrounds. These speakers are jumper configurable to 4 or 8 ohms (manufacturer recommends 4)and rated for a maximum 100 watts. The speaker wire to their locations is @ 30 feet of 18 AWG. I've got a spare Acurus A150 (150W into 8) I would like to use to power the surrounds. So, am I at risk of damaging the surrounds if I configure them at 4 ohms with the Acurus? Do I need to attenuate the surround signal from the 970 in order to protect the surrounds? Do I need a lower power amplifier? Any advice will be appreciated.

If the manufacturer recommends 4 ohms, they most likely included the option for 8 ohm operation because most surround receivers can't handle a 4 ohm load. Since you're using an amp that can handle 4 ohm loads just fine, I'd set the speakers to the manufacturer's recommended 4 ohm setting and go with it.

Having an amp rated for more power than a speaker is "rated for" (in quotes because power ratings on speakers are somewhat questionable numbers) won't hurt anything unless you plan to crank the volume up to a level that will cause your ears to bleed. It's actually better to have some extra power than not enough, because having too small an amp may lead the amp to clip. Clipping is a sure-fire way to damage a driver.

Thanks, Gonk. I'll go with the 4 ohm setting and the Acurus. I appreciate the help.