8,4 or 2 ohms

Hawkeye
Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
edited January 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
I'm putting together a 2 channel system. I have Paradigm Signature S8's, a Mcintosh MC352 amplifier, B&K pre and a Denon 2900 CD player. Paradigm won't answer my emails about what the speaker load will/or if it will drop below 8 ohms. I have the option of 8,4 or 2 on the Mac. I'm not sure if I'm using my equipment to the best possible configuration.

My HT system is all RT55i's driven by B&K stuff. I don't have the above issues with this system.

I guess what I'm asking is, can I damage my S8's by hooking to the 4 or 2 ohm load on th amp?
2 Channel -
Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
Post edited by Hawkeye on
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Comments

  • resperc
    resperc Posts: 41
    edited January 2006
    This link has measurements on a bunch of speakers (including your Paradigms).

    http://www.soundstageav.com/speakermeasurements.html

    According to the site ,the impedance curve on the S8s does dip below 4 ohms around 100hz, but it look like it would have a nominal impedance of about 8 ohms. You could also do a search on ecoustics.com which will provide you with any available professional reviews. Hopefully this will help answer your question.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Hello Hawkeye, welcome to Club Polk!

    Since your speakers are 8 ohms compatible, that is where you should set your Mac.

    http://signature.paradigm.com/Flash_Site/Catalog/Downloads/Sig_Specifications.pdf

    Nice system that you have set up!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,489
    edited January 2006
    I'd try both the 8 and 4 ohm taps and see which one sounds best through your speakers for the music you listen to. Heavy bass music through your speakers is likely to suit the 4 ohm taps better. My guess is the 4 ohm taps will work better overall with the speakers, and there's no possible harm in trying either. There's rarely a need to use the 2 ohm taps unless someone has very unusual speakers.

    Good link above on the impedance curve. Some manufacturers are clear about what their speakers do, and some don't care to release any information. My JM Labs speakers have a similar dip to the Paradigms.
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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited January 2006
    welcome Hawkeye. Post a pic of your Mc for us/for me.
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2006
    Emlyn wrote:
    My guess is the 4 ohm taps will work better overall with the speakers, and there's no possible harm in trying either.
    Yup... 4-ohm.

    Ratings are always nominal impedance. All speakers' impedance will vary during play.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited January 2006
    Thanks guys. I plan on swapping some stuff around and trying the 4 ohm tap this weekend. I must say the 8 ohm tap is impressive to me. I'm not sure I have a refined enough ear to hear a possible difference. But what the heck, I'll try it anyway! Have a good weekend.
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2006
    Modern gear's 4-ohm settings are designed the amp for current exhaustion... a limiting device, if you will...

    Old school gear's 4-ohm taps are designed to cut loose the juice. Many folks use them regardless of their speakers' nominal rating.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2006
    I agree with cfrizz. Your speakers are 8 ohm, set the amp to 8 ohm and leave it there. All speakers will dip below what they are rated at. My 8ohm speakers dip to 5 ohms at certain times. The good thing is that your amp will handle it no matter what happans. There are very few amps that can go down to 2ohms comfortably. If you Mac has that switch, it was made for that. I doubt your speakers will ever go below 4ohms, and if they do it will only be for brief periods.

    Switch on 8 and enjoy.
    Venom
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