Using Monitor 10B (6 ohm) in Home Theater System with 8 ohm Speakers for Others

troyst123

I have ventured into setting up my first home theater system, which was started using Monitor 10B that I have had for some time. They are great speakers and produce moving sound in my opinion. To build a good system and try and be cost efficient it was my intent to build around the Monitors (fronts, R & L.

Speakers I bought to complete the system include: CSi5 center, and RTi4 rears, and a sub.

After the initial system set up, I tried out both movies and music and was surprised that the Monitor 10Bs sounded weaker/or "off" from what I am used to. It seems this may have been caused by having speakers with different impedances. The Monitor 10Bs are 6 ohms and the others are 8 ohms. My new receiver (Pioneer Elite VSX21TXH) has a setting to switch between 6 and 8 ohms, but this appears to be a global setting. I switched the setting to 6 ohms and the Monitors sounded better, but the others then sounded weak/off. With the setting at 8 ohms, the Monitors sounded weak and the others sounded better.

I have not played with the auto-calibrate function of the receiver yet or other settings.

I am seeking and appreciate others advice/experience with using similar vintage speakers in their system, as well as suggestions in the overall setup.

I fear that this combination may always be off and the only real solution would be to buy 8 ohm speakers, but would love to use my Monitor 10Bs. They are really something else! Perhaps other receivers may handle this better too.

Schurkey

troyst123 wrote: »

I have not played with the auto-calibrate function of the receiver yet or other settings.

Set it to 6 ohm, and perform the calibration procedure.

I don't trust auto-calibration; but it should get you closer than you are now.

Ron Temple

Don't set the impedence to 6ohm on the AVR that just governs (cuts) the current flow. What sounds off is that the M10s are a much more laid back speaker than the RTi line you've got in the mix. They are a much more forward speaker (not necessarily a bad thing with an all RTi setup). The M10s are just taking a back seat in your brain.

Monitor 10s and most vintage Polks are great HT speakers, but you should have brought your question here first before acquiring RTis...or take the Monitor 10s over to a 2 channel rig and replace them with RTi 8s, 10s, or 12s.

Conradicles

troyst123 wrote: »

I have not played with the auto-calibrate function of the receiver yet or other settings.

Why?:(:confused:

dorokusai

I'd leave it set at 8 and if you need to boost the levels manually, even after calibration, just go by what sounds good to you.

troyst123

Thanks for the input. I haven't had time to play with the settings/system much yet but will hopefully soon and will work in your suggestions and see if things meld together a bit better. In my brief experimentation, the movies didn't sound too bad with things set at 8 ohms, and of course for 2-channel music I can switch to 6 ohms (the difference on that for the music was quite noticeable).

I went the route of adding the RTi line for the other speakers based on a table Polk has recommending center speakers with vintage Polks, and also called and talked to someone in their customer service.

I had considered looking for other vintage polks but had patience working against me, though I know they can be had, though not sure about a center.

If I end up replacing the Monitor 10Bs for HT, I am considering the RTi10 or 12, and the M10s will be matched back up with my old trusty Sansui receiver for 2 channel (got both while stationed on Guam).

Another question, I got the RTi4 speakers for rears. Any thoughts on how these may work in the HT system with fuller front stage speakers, and also how they may compare in the role with the next step up (Rti6 or A3)?