Is this dangerous ?


I am trying to incorperate my 2 channel and home theater without comprmising sound .

Here is what i want to do : keep my 2 channel amp wired to the speakers as usual , the speakers are biwireable. I want to use the second binding posts on the speakers for a receiver for home theater .

Both sources would be wired at the speakers . I figure if only one source is powered on at a time this would work .probably use a independent powerstrip for each and keep the source i am not using turned off at the strip .

My main question is if both sorces would send a signal to the speakers at once what would i hear ? would it mix the two together and make some funky noise ? Would this damage the speaker ?
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Showing 3 responses by almarg

06-10-12: Bifwynne
Listen to Al!!!!
And to Johnny also, of course.

Thanks very much, Bruce (Bifwynne).

Best regards,
-- Al
Is this dangerous ?
Yes, it absolutely is dangerous, mainly to the amplifiers. The outputs of two power amplifiers (or the power amplifier section of a receiver or integrated amplifier) should never be connected together. See this thread for further explanation, and for suggested solutions.

Regards,
-- Al
Unplugging the receiver is probably the best and safest way.
No it is not. As discussed in the link I provided earlier, when running one amp with the other unplugged you would be applying the full output voltage of the amp that is being used to the outputs of the powered down amp, with unpredictable and design-dependent consequences that could quite possibly include sonic degradation and/or amplifier damage.

Consider purchasing one of the switching devices that were mentioned in the other thread.

Regards,
-- Al