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Running 4 speakers from a 2-channel amp

I love the sound of 4 speakers playing at once around me. I've got a simple old SS amp, Luxman L507 (mid-1970's) that runs 4 speakers at once. I'm running a pair of Yamaha NS-1000x (6 Ohm) as mains, and a tweaked set of B&W 805Ns (8 Ohm) as B's.

I'm talking here about 2-channel sound, 4 speakers, not 4-channel surround sound.

I've been looking for a higher-end amp, but find almost all are two-channels only, with ports for only two speakers.

Some great old Luxman tube amps offer 4 channels, but only one pair at a time is available on the selector ("A or B," not "A and B"). One shop told me they could have one modified for me to be able to play 4 speakers, at only a small cost.

Another shop told me that playing 4 speakers at once, even on my current old Luxman, which has the "A and B" option, overburdens the amp and shortens it's life.

I wonder - can't we wire-up 4 speakers, say two on each side in parallel, like in so many car stereo setups?

Am I really limited to only 2 speakers with a 2-channel amp?
jimthewebguy

Showing 2 responses by bjpd57a1

bjpd57a1
96 posts
 
I am running 18 separate speakers, that are "passive",
with 3 Amplifiers driving them ALL.

Respect "Ohms Law!" and you can safely run in "series",

several speakers without presenting a low impedance that

is hard on the amplifier.

In addition, I implement 2 Velodyne subwoofers.

An 18" and a 15" one in front, one in the rear.

I implement front speakers, and side speakers, along

with rear center speakers.

Stereo ONLY, simply put, just 2 separate systems working

together to fill the room EVENLY with sound.

I have done speakers in both parallel and series, for over

30 years without ANY incidents at ALL.

PS Audio GCA 500, and a GCA-250 do the lions share,

while a Pro Hafler 300 wpc. @8ohms and 500wpc. @4ohms

for the side speakers.

NO sound processors are used, just PURE 2 channel sound

that is IMHO, the finest "Surround" Sound I have heard

so far.

Every speaker adds +3db. so you can see that this is an

easy way to squash the -10db. that most people have,

from their listening spot.

My idea was simple, 1 speaker must play very Loud to try

and fill a given room.

Placing speakers, in key locations where the hearing, is

able to pick up sound literally "ALL Around".

So I have plenty of "Headroom", and there is NO need to

ever increase the Volume, since the moment the "play"

button is engaged, it is as if a metamorphosis of the

Audio kind takes place.

Never be afraid to think outside the box.

Some of my Best ideas, have spawned out of the box.

Love Your Music!
bjpd57a1
96 posts
 
The Bottom Line:

1.Respect Ohms Law!

2.Use a "real" power amplifier{one that Doubles Down)

3.Use accurate, sensitive, speakers that are 95db. min. @
8ohm.

4.Use quality cable at EVERY connection!

5.Respect Ohms Law!

Do the above, and I assure You, the sound you HEAR!

Will blow away what a single pair of ANY speaker!

Not the Infinity I.R.S. or the sister companies speakers,

that are 7' FEET TALL!

I am talking about smaller speakers that have a single

woofer, instead of 4 or 6 woofers in one cabinet, like

those "Super Speakers".

This is the whole IDEA! To create that same "SLAM!"

and "IMPACT!" that those 7' FOOT and taller speakers

are able to attain.

I assure You, few people have heard, and "FELT" what

an "array" of drivers can do with "UNLIMITED POWER!"

"SOUND" can be a very powerful, and devastating Force,

if ample speakers with Unlimited Power, are mated.

EVERY Hi-FI Person in Sales, ALL have told me, "You can't

do that?" But I do, and I HAVE, for 30 years+ without

ANY problems EVER!

They don't want you to achieve what they "can't SELL!"

LIES! LIES! LIES! ALL the B.S. saying "cancellation" and

all sorts of stupid "excuses", NONE of which, is TRUE!

When in doubt, TEST EVERYTHING!

Don't believe me, do it for yourself, THEN...

Insert "FOOT!" into mouth!

2 channel Stereo, 1 in front and 1 in the rear, with front

and rear center speakers, and side speakers.

Looped from 1 pre-amp to the 2nd, so volume is set for

front and rear to blend into a "Natural Surround" Sound.

I LOVE MUSIC!
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