4 ohm Horizon worries me

[AllanMarcus]

I have a Yamaha RX-A820. The mains can be set to 4ohm, but not the center. I called Yamaha and they do not recommend using a 4ohm speaker for the center. The specs on the Horizon say it's 4 ohm. I don't play with the volume all that loud, even when watching a movie. Does anyone else run the Horizon center with an 8 ohm consumer grade receiver?

Thanks,

Allan

[Blutarsky]

The 4 Ohms you noticed is the minimum impedance. This is the lowest load the speaker pulls. This won't be constant. The Horizon is rated for 4, 6, and 8 Ohm amps.

[davef]

I have a Yamaha RX-A820. The mains can be set to 4ohm, but not the center. I called Yamaha and they do not recommend using a 4ohm speaker for the center. The specs on the Horizon say it's 4 ohm. I don't play with the volume all that loud, even when watching a movie. Does anyone else run the Horizon center with an 8 ohm consumer grade receiver?

Thanks,

Allan

Allan, as Blutarsky mentioned, the Horizon is not a 4 ohm speaker. For speakers, impedance will vary with frequency. 8 ohms speakers will typically dip down into the 4 ohm range for some frequencies (minimum impedance) and peak as high as 40 ohms at other frequencies. For 4 ohm loudspeakers, they will typically dip below 3 ohms, sometimes even below 2 ohms for certain frequencies. Minimum impedance is not what determines the overall impedance rating for a speaker.

The Horizon presents an easy "8 ohm average" load to an amp or receiver. It also has a very mild phase angle - the critical factor in determining how difficult a loudspeaker is to drive. No concerns running the Horizon off your Yamaha, or any other receiver for that matter :)

[Kisakuku]

I have a Yamaha RX-A820. The mains can be set to 4ohm, but not the center. I called Yamaha and they do not recommend using a 4ohm speaker for the center. The specs on the Horizon say it's 4 ohm. I don't play with the volume all that loud, even when watching a movie. Does anyone else run the Horizon center with an 8 ohm consumer grade receiver?

Thanks,

Allan

You shouldn't be using the 4 Ohm setting in the receiver at all.

http://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/impedance-selector-switch-1

[AllanMarcus]

Allan, as Blutarsky mentioned, the Horizon is not a 4 ohm speaker. For speakers, impedance will vary with frequency. 8 ohms speakers will typically dip down into the 4 ohm range for some frequencies (minimum impedance) and peak as high as 40 ohms at other frequencies. For 4 ohm loudspeakers, they will typically dip below 3 ohms, sometimes even below 2 ohms for certain frequencies. Minimum impedance is not what determines the overall impedance rating for a speaker.

The Horizon presents an easy "8 ohm average" load to an amp or receiver. It also has a very mild phase angle - the critical factor in determining how difficult a loudspeaker is to drive. No concerns running the Horizon off your Yamaha, or any other receiver for that matter :)

OK, many thanks. The reason I asked is the specs on the Horizon web page state 4 ohms minimum impedance, but it also says it's compatible with 4, 6, and 8 ohm rated amps and receivers. Maybe a row stating the Horizon is an 8 ohm speaker would be useful for the less educated, like me.