4ohm speakers 8ohm amp

[moustachebandit]

Currently looking at upgrading my AVR - found something that ticks the boxes but noticed it has a 8ohm output and my main speakers at 4ohm.

Does this pose an issue? I am not particularly clued up on the various technical aspects of HiFi.

Should I look for a 4ohm compatible AVR instead?

Thanks

[B17NNS]

What are the speakers? What is the amp?

Is there a manual you can download?

ETA: Decent thread on AV Forums here:

https://www.avforums.com/threads/4-ohms-pseakers-o...

[moustachebandit]

Linn Isobariks and an Anthem MRX700.

Been doing some Googles but its just leaving me more confused. People saying its fine, others saying it isn't.

[Tony1963]

Off the top of my head, Isobariks really aren’t an easy speaker to drive hard, and you could well either start cooking the amp or blowing tweeter coils if you do.

Great speakers, do them justice.

[gizlaroc]

You would be better buying the cheaper amp and running a decent power amp for the Isobariks.

What centre and surrounds are you using?


That's an older model though isn't it?

Are you looking at used?


What are you using now?

[moustachebandit]

Thanks for the replies.

Currently running a entry level Avr. Onkyo TXNR 626. About 6 years old now. Seems to perform fine but get a nagging feeling the speakers would sound better with a decent amp.

Reason why I was looking at the Anthem is it’s we’ll rated but also has pre outs. The 700 is probably about 6 years old.

I was gifted a Linn power amp which I was hoping to hook up to the Anthem.

[B17NNS]

Does the Anthem pass through 4K? Are you planning an upgrade to 4K any time soon?

[gizlaroc]

How important is music compared to cinema?

I think there are better amps of that era you could buy.
Some of the massive Yamaha and Denons are better, a bit more musical too.


I sold an Arcam AVR500 recently for £280, that was really, really nice with music too, in stereo mode it performed really well just driving the main speakers.

I tend to prefer a decent amp for music and will sacrifice the latest formats for HD discs etc. for TV and films. Not worried about Atmos etc.

[moustachebandit]

Not concerned with 4K, honestly don’t like the image it produces so 1080hdmi is fine for me.

Movie / music usage is about 50 / 50. Not to worried about having mind blowing surround as our room isn’t well suited for it. But when I put music on Stereo I really want it to sing.

Heard the Anthem was very musical which is why I have been looking at them. Looked at Arcam but the prices are a fair bit more used and even something like the AVR 500 doesn’t have preouts (think it’s the 600 that came with them).

Other issue is the amp size. The Anthems proportions mean it will fit in my sideboard with some fettling. A lot of other amps of similar age, power are bigger and won’t fit in the side board.

Happy to replace the Anthem in a few years time if I can afford something better. Just don’t want to damage the speakers in the process.

[FarmyardPants]

moustachebandit said:

I was gifted a Linn power amp which I was hoping to hook up to the Anthem.

In that case, surely the 8ohm rating of the Anthem's own power amps is irrelevant?