Set my Pioneer Elite to 6 ohms for LSi's?

sbpolk
sbpolk Posts: 644
edited March 2007 in Electronics
Guys, I have been kicking around getting LSi15's, LSiC, and four LC65i's. I currently have a Pioneer Elite VSX-82txv and a PS3 for Blu-Ray. I can't currenty afford to buy a separate amp if I buy the LSi's. I have toyed with selling the Elite, and getting the Emotiva Ultra Theater setup, pre/pro and 5x200 @4ohm, 2x90 @4ohm amplifier. I have seen good reviews on this setup, but I am worried about losing LPCM! I have been stoked about the whole LPCM thing.

The pioneer is 6ohm stable, and you can actually switch it to that. I demoed the LSi's recently using a 130 watt Yamaha, and they sounded great. Now, I also heard them with a separate 2 channel and they sounded fantastic!

So this is my question. If I get LSi's, I have to wait for an amp. I just don't have a choice. Should I set my Pioneer to 6 ohm in that case? Is "closer" better when it comes to ohms?

Thanks guys,

Shawn
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell
Post edited by sbpolk on

Comments

  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited March 2007
    No, Shawn, setting the 82 to 6 ohms doesn't make things better. When a receiver has a switch or menu setting for less than 8 ohms, that doesn't optimize it for lower impedance speakers; it's just a UL(Underwriters Laboratory)required precaution against possible overheating. It reduces the maximum voltage that the power supply section of the receiver can output and because of Ohm's Law the maximum current and power is likewise reduced when that's done. The reduction in maximum power output can be as much as 50% at the lower impedance setting. So, despite suggestions to the contrary in the manual, leave the setting at 8 ohms regardless of the impedance rating of the speakers. There won't likely be a shut-down problem unless you play material with very wide dynamic range at extremely high sound levels.
  • sbpolk
    sbpolk Posts: 644
    edited March 2007
    I was reading something which listed the amp's output at 6ohms quite a bit higher than at 4ohms. For some reason I thought that in order to get that, I had to set it to 6ohms. Thanks for setting me straight.
    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell