4 ohm Speakers on Cheap Receivers: Recipe for Disaster?

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Published 2020-12-13

4-ohm loads and cheap receivers. Recipe for disaster? What about the beloved Sony STRDH190 stereo receiver? In this video, we discuss what can happen if you connect 4 ohm speakers to cheap receivers. Budget receivers often have smaller power supplies, output devices and heat sink area than more robust designs. This is why they NEVER give you power ratings into 4 ohm loads. Low impedance loads require more current draw which many inexpensive receivers simply can't provide when driven hard. We discuss two possible scenarios that can occur when using 4 ohm speakers on these receivers. The stereo receiver featured in this video is certainly an uncommonly good value but caution must be used when picking speakers for it to avoid these scenarios.

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All Comments (21)

@roccovaselino 3 years ago

Thanks, Gene, you covered everything well. The combination of skimpy power supplies, insufficient heat sinks, current limiting, and not enough output devices to handle the current demands of a 4 ohm speaker, most cheap receivers are compromised. This is one of your best.
@keithslade1493 11 months ago

This is why I watch you really know you're stuff thanks so much for bringing it to my attention you're the only one talking about this problem I was about to make this mistake cause I watched some other you tube videos and was misguided so when I saw the title of your video it immediately caught my attention I can't thank you enough
@Mofunkysheets 3 years ago

always love your videos cause I learn a lot from them and use them to get my audioholic on lol,
@ModernMallus 3 years ago

I remember you saying cover up the impedance switch on the back side of the receiver / amp with some tape. For they are practically useless. There was a built guy (maybe your VP) in the channel then. Many years passed, Im still watching the channel. Good work.
@ramondelgado6778 3 years ago

Thank you, Gene! Wonderful video and explanation! As usual. God bless!!!
@michelkh87 3 years ago

I still have the HK 3490 driving pair of jbl 530 in my bed room. I had the amp based on your great review back in the days. Amazing amp. Thanks Gene ;)
@buzzcrushtrendkill 3 years ago

Great info. Love this channel.
@lucasonuonga1327 3 years ago

Awesome job, diving into the world of AVRS's and need your guidance in choosing my starter AVR-I have three options -1. Denon 2700H 2.Yamaha RX-V6A 3. Yamaha-RX-V685
@chrisselner5005 3 years ago

Always a like for audioholics! And BTW, wrath of khan has an amazing soundtrack. James Horner rip, was a genius.
@CompetitionChris 3 years ago

Great topic as always
@weeooh1 3 years ago

Best solution imo is to have a receiver with pre-amp outs and use decent 4-ohm capable amps to drive the channels. Receivers always have sub-standard amps compared to dedicated amps.
@Audiogeek-kf2ez 3 years ago

Excellent video.
@charlesneal4603 1 year ago

Great video very knowledgeable
@sstrick500 3 years ago

I ran 4ohm Cerwin Vega monsters on a midrange Denon. The Denon still works (it runs rear channel duty these days).
@hwccheng 3 years ago

Excellent advice
@mfkhometheater7742 3 years ago

I always thought that as long as there wasn't an abnormal amount of smoke it should be ok;-)
@great100m 3 years ago

I haven't done an extensive amount of research but Elac is the only manufacturer that I have noticed that complies with the 80% rule for rating their speakers. Kudos to them for being honest
@user-go7jg8qf4y 3 years ago

very good video. It gives answers in short period of time. excellent job. Please can you inform us about videos or articles in which you have reviewed entry level av amplifiers (like Denon AVR-X1600H, Sony STR-DH790, Pioneer VSX-933 Onkyo TX-SR494 and Yamaha RX-V585) and small size speakers for small size rooms (10''x 10'')(3x3 meters) and bigger rooms as (15''x15'')(5x5 meters). You see there are people with small size rooms and small size budget. Please can you help with a piece of advice ?
@ditto_75 3 years ago

The very best tip I could give to a up and coming audio enthusiast is to learn about ohms. Parallel and series wiring is a absolute must know. This goes for car audio and home audio. It is the most basic knowledge that you must know.
@asukrumercan 3 years ago

I am running 4 ohm Jamo D7 speakers on Yamaha Z11 which is set to 8 ohm according to your review years ago. I recently changed the connection to bi-amp to the front left and right. Do I have to keep the same 8 ohm setup on the receiver after bi-amp connection? Thanks