4 ohm load

How does the M200 handle a 4 Ohm load (providing 300W). Anyone have one connected this way? What has been the results?

My DefTech's are rated @ 4 to 8 ohms, with most benchtests showing they are around 5 ohms most of the time.

I think they are exemplory amplifiers. And I think they can handle any load with ease. I listened to music and movies at reference levels at times and there was never any harshness.

I dont know if the speakers or preamp are contributors to that, but the 200's are a fine amplifier. I wouldnt worry about 4 ohm loads. Then again, I wouldnt run a speaker thats rated at 4 ohms, for 10 hours straight, on a hot summer day. Other then that, no need to worry

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Play it LoUd!!

I am using the Phase Technology Teatro 6.5 as my center channel. They are kind of small and don't keep up with the rest of my system. I was thinking of getting another one and running them in parallel to a M200 for a total of 4 ohm load.

56 Hz - 20,000 Hz +/- 3 dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Sensitivity: 90dB
Midrange/Woofer: 5 ¼" vapor deposited titanium driver plus 5 ¼" passive bass radiator with butyl rubber surrounds.
Tweeter: 1" soft dome
Outside Dimensions: 18"H x 7W" x 8 ¼"D
Finishes: Natural Cherry or Black Ash Laminate
Shipping Weight: 18 pounds each
Recommended Amplifier Power: 15-120W


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MeanGene's Home

Since I'm thinking of upgrading to the Model 200 M-Block this seems like an appropriate thread to ask this question.

I'm using a Yamaha RX-V995 receiver. There's an "Impedance Selector" switch on the back of this receiver with two position options:

Upper Position
Center speaker - The impedance of the speaker must be 4 ohms or higher. Rear - The impedance of each speaker must be 6 ohms or higher. Main - The impedance of each speaker must be 4 ohms or higher.

OR

Lower Position
Center speaker - The impedance of the speaker must be 8 ohms or higher. Rear - The impedance of each speaker must be 8 ohms or higher. Main - The impedance of each speaker must be 8 ohms or higher.

There's nothing on the back of the Outlaw 200 similar to this switch. Does the 200 not care about the speaker's impedance? I wonder why my receiver needs to be configured according to the speakers impedance and the 200 doesn't?

Could be wrong and someone here could explain the 'tech' behind it. But an inelegant explanation as I have understood inmpedence.
When you see an 'inpedence' switch on a receiver, - beware. Be careful not to overpush the unit. The switch is there to protect the recievers amps from overheating and overextending itself, (and overheating all your internals) so the unit won't blow up and go into protect mode or fry.

When you have plenty of power (200 x 1) beyond reasonable spec checking on needed watts vs Speaker sensititivity etc. This switch is not necssary to protect your amplifaction from over extending itself. And particuarly with monoblocks your heat dispatation hopefully (depending on your metod of stacking) would not endanger the 'pre' part of your system.

Lena is correct. That switch is there to keep the amplifier from overextending it'self. It speaks volumes about the amplifier (receiver) with such switches, none of it good. Too small power supplies, lack of sufficient output transistors and heatsinking are some of the cost cutting measures on these "units". An adequately designed power amp does not need such switches, and should take lower impedances in stride, ideally doubling it's power output for each halving of load impedance (up to a certain point!)

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited May 05, 2003).]

Thanks for the interesting input. Luckily I haven't experienced any problems to date. But since I'm a guy and it's the nature of the hobby I'm always looking for that next best component or speakers or etc.

then you have the sick just like the rest of us. (what next itis).

Yeah, it's true, I'm infected. But not as bad as some (merc).

One of the funnier quotes I've seen was on another website (hometheatertalk):

"This is never going to end, is it?"
-My girlfriend, her first words upon seeing my new Amp and realizing the full extent of my HT (home theater) addiction.

To Soundhound:

I would like to point out that your point about impedance switches "It speaks volumes ... none of it good" also applies to the 1050 which has just such a switch.

Oh well......I take no prisoners

I've had a pair of M200's hooked up to my Mirage OM-5 mains for several months and have had no problems. They sound fantastic. The speakers are 6 ohms nominal 4 ohms minimun. They're also rated to take 300 watts. I can drive them nice and loud without any trouble, except for people running in screaming, "That's too loud!"

Two comments:

MeanGene:
If you're worried about impedance when using two bookshelf speakers as a center, try wiring them in series, which will double the resistance seen by the amp (compared to using one speaker). I do this with a pair of Celestion A1s used as a center. I had no choice since these are 4 ohms each, and wiring in parallel would have resulted in a seriously problematic 2 ohm load. The center level had to be tweaked upward a bit to attain balance, however. I personally favor using a pair of bookshelf speakers as a center since the possibility of obsolesence is much less.

audvid:
Another possible tech reason for the impedance selector switch is to select between output transformer taps optimized for high or low impedance loads. Basically, the sound is taken off the point in the transformer that matches the transformer impedance to that of the speaker. This sort of thing is pretty standard on most tube amps and some costly solid state amps, like the McIntosh models that use output transformers. Strikes me that it's unlikely that anything Japanese uses an output transformer at all, much less providing multiple output taps.

As far as I know, Macintosh is the only company that uses an output transformer in a solid state design. Kinda doesn't make sense to put an output transformer in a SS amp though!

The impedance switch can switch the voltage taps on the main power transformer so that the maximum output is limited if the impedance goes too low - heat can be a problem otherwise.

If you wandered over to my Home Theater site you will see that I am using four Full range speakers in a 5.1 configuration, but the fifth speaker is not full range and has been a problem because, in today’s world, new speakers are typically small and limited in overall range and SLP. When cranking the system the center channel becomes faint. I figure if I double the number of (8 ohm) speakers for the center channel and run them in parallel for a resultant 4 ohm load to the M200, they will have a better chance to keep up. Yes, I know I should go out and buy a $2500.00 Martin Logan center but the WAF is a problem in that area. I have to work within a reasonable budget. This has recently become a little harder as I dislodged a ceramic serving platter from the kitchen onto the floor while playing my BlueMan Group DVD @ 0db. So, I think I have my answer, being that the M200 should have no problem driving these speakers.

Thanks

P.S. You have to realize that even my two 15" subwoofers powered by a Samson S-1000 have trouble keeping up with the ESS AMT3's driven by 200 watts apiece. Each of the four speakers have, in addition to the Heil Air Motion Tweeter and the 6.5" midrange, twin 10" woofers. That puts a total of eight 10" woofers in the room. Just to clarify the situation.
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MeanGene's Home


[This message has been edited by MeanGene (edited May 09, 2003).]

I've got the upgrade bug and am considering 5 M200's to drive my Definitive Technology setup. I've got BP2006TL's for mains, CLR2300 Center, and BPX's for rears. Wondering if I can use 4 ohms on all five of my Def Tech's to get the 300 Watts?