using 4 ohms LSI F/X surrounds with 8 ohms receiver

newpolkuser

Hi - I am a novice and have a question. I recently bought LSI F/X surrounds for my home theatre set up. I made the mistake of not checking the impedence of these speakers before purchasing. Now I realize that these are rated at 4 Ohms where as my receiver (Denon AVR 3803) is rated at 8 ohms. Before I hook them up I wanted to get some opinions from other users out there if it really matters. Specially, considering that these are surrounds, does it make a huge difference? I got them at a good price so would not want to return them, but if the difference between the receiver and surround speakers resistance REALLY matters so much that it will either blow up my receiver or the speakers, then I don't want to keep them. Thoughts/comments? Thanks.

(Not sure if it matters, but if it does, my front speakers are RTi A9s and the sub woofer is micro dsw 4000.)

danz1906

Welcome to the Club!

You may be ok since those are your surround speakers.

newpolkuser

Thanks for your responses. I have not bought a centre speaker as yet. Thinking of a CSi A4 or A6. Also, point noted regarding the pre-amp but can't afford it as of now. Like I said, I am a novice, so till the time I actually hear the RTis with a power amp, I wouldn't know any better. To my untrained ear they sound good even with just the Denon 3803.

Going back to my original question regarding the difference between the impedance of LSi (4 ohms) and the receiver(8 ohms), since these are just surrounds I am thinking I may be ok. Polk audio tech support also says that it should not matter that much. Wanted to validate my thought process with the experienced folks on the fourm. Thanks.

ben62670

Don't get an LSI speaker for the rears if you are using RTi's up front. They won't match properly.
Welcome to Club Polk
Ben

sTiLlLeArNiNg

Welcome to CP

Even though i think the Denon could run a 4Ohm speaker i don't think it would be wise to mix impedence's

ben62670 wrote: »

Don't get an LSI speaker for the rears if you are using RTi's up front. They won't match properly.
Welcome to Club Polk
Ben

+1 I would return the LSI's and use the money toward's the correct "timbre" matched speaker's :cool:

xcapri79 wrote: »

If you have RTiA9's then the matching center is the CSiA6.
An external amp will make your system sound better and you don't need to have a trained ear to hear the improvement.
If budget was a concern, you should not have purchased the LSiFX's and stuck with choosing either the FXiA4 or A6 surrounds.

Once you get into the RTiA9's or the LSiFX speakers you have moved up the food-chain. This is where you should consider using an external amp to get the sound out of your speakers that they're capable of.
A capable external amp will cost less than the RTiA9's and is well worth the investment.

Definately get the CSi A6/FXi A6 to match with the a9's The a9's LOVE the juice and only get beeter as the power goes up! Going from AVR power to separate power is like night/day There are good product's available to get you into separate's without breaking the bank

newpolkuser

Thank you for all your responses.

BlueFox

I ran 2 LSi15s, 2 LSi7s, and an LSiC off a Denon 3805 for a year without any issues. I suspect you are okay for surround speakers since most energy is either in the center, fronts, or sub.

gp4jesus

sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »

Welcome to CP

Even though i think the Denon could run a 4Ohm speaker i don't think it would be wise to mix impedence's



+1 I would return the LSI's and use the money toward's the correct "timbre" matched speaker's :cool:



Definately get the CSi A6/FXi A6 to match with the a9's The a9's LOVE the juice and only get beeter as the power goes up! Going from AVR power to separate power is like night/day There are good product's available to get you into separate's without breaking the bank

i concur w/sTiLlLeArNiNg on the "timbre" topic. The layperson's explanation is lengthy and detailed that can be summed up in one word: phase.

Also concur w/xcapri79 "If you have RTiA9's then the matching enter is the CSiA6." I (Tony) would NOT mix lines of Polk speakers. Again: phase. I've seen other mix different brands for LCR... ARGH!!

If you get a separate amp for the LR or LCR you can likely get away w/ using your Denon's* amp to drive surrounds regardless of impedence.

* I'm assuming the Denon of today is the Denon of old ('80s & '90s)

cheers & have fun! tony

dvran

Splice 4ohm resistors into your speaker wires. I've never tried but it would match the resistance then to the receiver.

Eric W

dvran wrote: »

Splice 4ohm resistors into your speaker wires. I've never tried but it would match the resistance then to the receiver.

Nooooooo!!!

tonyb

How about we make it simple for the dude, No, bring them back. See..simple.

bluecomet

You are going to blow those Lsi F/X speakers if you underpower them with a 8 ohm receiver at higher volume. Either buy an amp for the Lsi's or take them back. I have a 7.1 HT system of Lsi speakers and use F/X speakers for the surround and rear mains. They are great speakers. I went the external amp way to power my system even though my Yamaha can do 6 ohm speakers. I would hate to see you blow your speakers and be out the money you paid for them. Just some advice from someone who has been there. They will sound much better with an external amp.