4 ohm speakers with 6/8 ohm receiver

[jrstinkfish]

The receiver in my surround system has bit the dust, and I'd like to just get a new receiver to go with the speakers I've already got installed -- not the best, but they work for me. Only problem is, they're listed as 4 ohm, and I can't find a receiver, new at least, that has that listed in its specs.

Would things go up in flames if I bought a receiver that can handle 6 ohm speakers to hook up to my 4 ohm set?

[rded]

Originally Posted by jrstinkfish

The receiver in my surround system has bit the dust, and I'd like to just get a new receiver to go with the speakers I've already got installed -- not the best, but they work for me. Only problem is, they're listed as 4 ohm, and I can't find a receiver, new at least, that has that listed in its specs.

Would things go up in flames if I bought a receiver that can handle 6 ohm speakers to hook up to my 4 ohm set?

Before I answer your question, may I ask what kind of speakers you are trying to drive?

[jrstinkfish]

They are the speakers that came with my Panasonic receiver, 4 ohm and 90w max per speaker. Probably about 3 years old, HTIB quality, but they sound fine to me. My last resort is getting new speakers, right now I just want to be able to watch my movies with surround again.

[rded]

Originally Posted by jrstinkfish

They are the speakers that came with my Panasonic receiver, 4 ohm and 90w max per speaker. Probably about 3 years old, HTIB quality, but they sound fine to me. My last resort is getting new speakers, right now I just want to be able to watch my movies with surround again.

Ok. To be on the safe side I would look at the higher end onkyos, say 805/6 and up. Most integra receivers are 4ohm rated. The Denons also handle 4 ohms well. But these receivers are expensive...I guess your speakers are not that hard to drive since they were part of a HITB. I am guessing again that maybe, maybe an onkyo 605/6 will be able to drive them. I doubt that the 605/6 will catch fire running your speakers.

[Blacklac]

If you aren't pushing them real hard, most quality receivers should handle that load ok.

[jrstinkfish]

Originally Posted by rded

Ok. To be on the safe side I would look at the higher end onkyos, say 805/6 and up. Most integra receivers are 4ohm rated. The Denons also handle 4 ohms well. But these receivers are expensive...I guess your speakers are not that hard to drive since they were part of a HITB. I am guessing again that maybe, maybe an onkyo 605/6 will be able to drive them. I doubt that the 605/6 will catch fire running your speakers.

Well, it was a HTIB, but just a sound system HTIB, no DVD player. Wasn't expensive, but wasn't cheap either, and the speakers sound good (again, to my ears they do!) which is why I'm trying to keep them -- hate to waste good speakers just cause the receiver bit it. I'll probably check out the 605 since it can decode the HD audio, give myself a little futureproofing. Thanks for the advice

[mrroy]

Originally Posted by rded

Ok. To be on the safe side I would look at the higher end onkyos, say 805/6 and up. Most integra receivers are 4ohm rated. The Denons also handle 4 ohms well. But these receivers are expensive...I guess your speakers are not that hard to drive since they were part of a HITB. I am guessing again that maybe, maybe an onkyo 605/6 will be able to drive them. I doubt that the 605/6 will catch fire running your speakers.

The Onkyo 605 manual states that only the non-US receivers have the capability of running 4ohm speakers. The US receivers can run 6-8ohm speakesr.

[jrstinkfish]

I just went ahead and put together a new system, going to stick the speakers in a closet and see if anyone could possibly use them with their existing HTIB. Still, thanks for the help