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Low-impedance 4-ohm speakers need a powerful amplifier, making them extremely difficult to match with AV receivers.
That is so because the low impedance of 4-ohm speakers means they will demand more power from your amp.
However, getting an AV receiver compatible with low impedance speakers can prevent many headaches. Here are 5 of the best AV receivers that support 4-ohm speakers and will give you the best experience without spending too much time or resources.
Marantz SR6014 is a certified 4-ohm AV receiver with Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It straddles the line between the analog and digital worlds with exceptional elegance.
PREMIUM CONTENT DIGITALLY REMASTERED – Feel the difference in picture quality & clarity with IMAX ENHANCED...
This receiver retains its “old school” features, such as component and composite video switching. It also offers a wireless bell and whistle, making it the best for playing all your sources.
Denon AVR-X6700H 8K Ultra HD 11.2 Channel supports the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio formats, which is responsible for its unmatched 3D realism.
Unrivaled experiences; Boldly explores entertainment possibilities for an advanced home theater with the...
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplay 2, Spotify connect and music cast multi-room
Spotify, Apple Music via airplay 2, Pandora, Sirius internet radio, Tidal, Deezer, Napster, Qobuz and more
It can provide seven 90-watt channels of high-quality surround sound. Moreover, the receiver’s 4k upscaling ensures super-quality displays. So, it effectively prevents data loss when sending signals.
This receiver provides six HDMI inputs, meaning you could connect a gaming console and a DVD player and still have four left.
It has versatile connectivity and comes with multiple HDMI ports. It offers a perfect balance between low frequencies and rhythm.
The receiver is also easy to use and innovative and lets you enjoy the best stereo listening experience.
Key Product Features
13.2 channels with 150W per channel
Monolithic amp design with tailor-made transistors
Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz
8 HDMI inputs
4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through
Bonus: Onkyo TX-NR616
Other Options
AV receivers supporting 4-ohm impedance are not as popular as those supporting higher-impedance speakers.
As such, we have included a bonus list of other receivers supporting 4-ohm amps.
However, these are older amps. These receivers are normally rated at 4 ohms or higher and include the popular Onkyo TX-NR616 and Yamaha RX-V773.
However, some older receivers may not offer more modern lossless audio formats, like DTS HD and Dolby Digital HD.
Popular Receiver Brands For 4 Ohm Speakers
In terms of receiver brands that support 4-ohm receivers, Denon Onkyo (mostly older models) are usually Yamaha-safe bets.
Impedance Matching Your Reciever and Speakers
As we have said, when a speaker’s impedance (ohms) is low, electric signals freely flow through them, making 4-ohms speakers more power-hungry than higher impedance speakers like 6-ohms and 8-ohms speakers.
Does this difference matter? Yes, if your speakers require more power, but your receiver cannot deliver, the speakers are highly likely to blow the receiver. If you want to get the best experience, you should match the impendence of the speakers and receiver. Power is the most important consideration when it comes to 8 ohms vs. 4 ohms and which is better.
When discussing impedance matching, we are referring to designing an electrical load’s input and output impedance to maximize the power transfer and minimize signal reflection. Simply put, it’s just the process of making one impedance look like another.
Since 4-ohm speakers require a high amount of power, you can solve the problem by buying AV receivers that supply the power levels required.
Let’s say you have a 5.1 surround receiver. This device will have to deliver tremendous power to power five 4-ohm speakers and a sub. This means the load per channel they can provide is typically more limited, and you risk blowing a receiver channel or the entire device if you’re not careful.
However, manufacturers have already handled the technical work on your behalf, so you must select a 4-ohm certified receiver. Most receivers on the marketplace have an impedance between 6 ohms to 16 ohms, and they can serve your needs perfectly well.
Using a certified 4-ohm receiver is the best way to ensure you have a fair workload so that the receiver can drive safely without the risk of overheating or damage in the process. We recommend adding an external amp to ensure you drive these low-impedance speakers with substantial power.
There are also many technical formulas that you can use to calculate and match impedance. Many experts use the Smith Chart Impedance matching for RF applications. However, you can match impedance without going technical.
In this case, getting a low impedance amplifier is a good idea because it will allow you to power down and high impedance speakers.
How to Prevent Overheating Your Receiver and Amp
The amp and receiver will likely heat up if you are driving your amp with too many low impedance speakers.
Worse, if you cram the devices between air-tight TV furniture and other poorly ventilated spaces, you risk choking the amp and overheating the receiver.
Should I Use 4 Ohm Speakers with My Receiver?
To answer this question, we must step back and consider the important thing that your receiver provides, and your 4-ohm speakers need power. If your receiver can deliver the right power, you can use the speaker with it.
Remember, most modern receivers have impedance settings that you can use to match the speakers’ and receivers’ impedance. For example, if the receiver’s default impedance is 8 ohms, you can use the settings and reduce it to 4 ohms.
Even though this setting can be helpful, we do not recommend using a 4-ohms speaker with any higher-impedance speaker. Setting the receiver impedance to 4 ohms lowers its maximum power output.
In other words, by opting for the lower impedance setting, you are telling the receiver to reduce its overall performance.
So, it would be best if you only used 4-ohm speakers with your AV receivers that support them, and your AV receivers should be 4-ohm certified. Remember that there is no harm in using a lower-impedance receiver with a higher-impedance speaker.
So, if you have receivers rated 4 ohms and below, it is safe to use them with 4-ohms speakers. The only challenge is that the receivers are difficult to get in the market.
So, we have seen why you should not use 4-ohms speakers with higher-impedance AV receivers. You may be asking whether there are exceptions to this general rule.
Yes, there are a few exceptions from receivers that allow 4-ohm speakers. You can use some other receiver with 4-ohm speakers in rare cases.
Firstly, remember that the indicated impedance is a nominal figure, and it is an average. So, if your speaker’s impedance can rise to about 8 ohms and the receivers’ impedance can be around the exact figure for a significant portion of their curves, you can use the receiver with the speaker.
On the other hand, some speakers can fluctuate significantly and drop low on their impedance curve (such as Magnepan speakers, for instance).
However, this is not always the case, especially if the receiver has an extremely high impedance rating. For example, if the receiver is rated 16 ohms, you should not use it with a 4-ohm speaker.
You can use the impedance settings if the impedance fails to fluctuate as you desire. As we have said, this is an important solution, but it will reduce your receiver’s overall efficiency. However, if quality reduction is not your major concern, you can use the settings to match the impedance.
Another common solution is reducing the volume of your audio/video system. You may know that if you use a 4-ohm speaker with any receiver with a higher impedance, the receiver will likely blow if you turn the volume too high.
However, the receiver will not have to supply too much current if you keep the volume extremely low. As you likely know, the higher the volume, the higher the power your speaker demands.
So, in some cases, you can use any receiver with 4-ohm speakers, provided you ensure the speakers are getting adequate power by keeping the volume as low as possible.
Can I Use 4 Ohm Speakers With My Receiver?
Can I use 4-ohm speakers with my receiver? Yes, you can use 4-ohm speakers with 4-ohm rated receivers.
You can use a 4-ohm-rated speaker with receivers rated 6 to 16 ohms, but you need to be careful that your speakers aren’t pulling too much power from your receiver. You need to keep the speaker’s volume low and match the energy.
If you are not careful in keeping the volume low, you risk overdriving or clipping the receiver or amplifier if one is attached.
How Many Watts Can A 4-ohm Speaker Handle?
Different 4-ohm speakers can handle different levels of power depending on the manufacturer. This could be, for example, 30 watts up to 400 watts, more or less.
In any case, you need to check the specifications of the speaker you are using. Importantly, it would be best if you considered the amp.
Let’s say we have an amplifier with specifications of output power is 100 watts RMS at 8 ohms.
This means that the maximum output power of a 4-ohm speaker is 200 watts. However, you need an amplifier that can double the power specification of the speaker and so you need an amplifier that can produce at least 400 watts for this 4-ohm speaker.
Can 4 Ohm Speakers Be Used With AV Receivers Instead Of Power Amps?
You can use a 4-ohm speaker directly with a receiver if the receiver is rated at 4 ohms, the wattage is matched, and you do not max out the volume. The best option is to include an amplifier if your speaker requires considerable power. On the other hand, if you have a powered speaker, you can connect it directly to your AV receiver.
What Is The Cheapest A
Low-impedance 4-ohm speakers need a powerful amplifier, making them extremely difficult to match with AV receivers.
That is so because the low impedance of 4-ohm speakers means they will demand more power from your amp.
However, getting an AV receiver compatible with low impedance speakers can prevent many headaches. Here are 5 of the best AV receivers that support 4-ohm speakers and will give you the best experience without spending too much time or resources.
Marantz SR6014 is a certified 4-ohm AV receiver with Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It straddles the line between the analog and digital worlds with exceptional elegance.
PREMIUM CONTENT DIGITALLY REMASTERED – Feel the difference in picture quality & clarity with IMAX ENHANCED...
This receiver retains its “old school” features, such as component and composite video switching. It also offers a wireless bell and whistle, making it the best for playing all your sources.
Denon AVR-X6700H 8K Ultra HD 11.2 Channel supports the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based audio formats, which is responsible for its unmatched 3D realism.
Unrivaled experiences; Boldly explores entertainment possibilities for an advanced home theater with the...
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplay 2, Spotify connect and music cast multi-room
Spotify, Apple Music via airplay 2, Pandora, Sirius internet radio, Tidal, Deezer, Napster, Qobuz and more
It can provide seven 90-watt channels of high-quality surround sound. Moreover, the receiver’s 4k upscaling ensures super-quality displays. So, it effectively prevents data loss when sending signals.
This receiver provides six HDMI inputs, meaning you could connect a gaming console and a DVD player and still have four left.
It has versatile connectivity and comes with multiple HDMI ports. It offers a perfect balance between low frequencies and rhythm.
The receiver is also easy to use and innovative and lets you enjoy the best stereo listening experience.
Key Product Features
13.2 channels with 150W per channel
Monolithic amp design with tailor-made transistors
Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz
8 HDMI inputs
4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through
Bonus: Onkyo TX-NR616
Other Options
AV receivers supporting 4-ohm impedance are not as popular as those supporting higher-impedance speakers.
As such, we have included a bonus list of other receivers supporting 4-ohm amps.
However, these are older amps. These receivers are normally rated at 4 ohms or higher and include the popular Onkyo TX-NR616 and Yamaha RX-V773.
However, some older receivers may not offer more modern lossless audio formats, like DTS HD and Dolby Digital HD.
Popular Receiver Brands For 4 Ohm Speakers
In terms of receiver brands that support 4-ohm receivers, Denon Onkyo (mostly older models) are usually Yamaha-safe bets.
Impedance Matching Your Reciever and Speakers
As we have said, when a speaker’s impedance (ohms) is low, electric signals freely flow through them, making 4-ohms speakers more power-hungry than higher impedance speakers like 6-ohms and 8-ohms speakers.
Does this difference matter? Yes, if your speakers require more power, but your receiver cannot deliver, the speakers are highly likely to blow the receiver. If you want to get the best experience, you should match the impendence of the speakers and receiver. Power is the most important consideration when it comes to 8 ohms vs. 4 ohms and which is better.
When discussing impedance matching, we are referring to designing an electrical load’s input and output impedance to maximize the power transfer and minimize signal reflection. Simply put, it’s just the process of making one impedance look like another.
Since 4-ohm speakers require a high amount of power, you can solve the problem by buying AV receivers that supply the power levels required.
Let’s say you have a 5.1 surround receiver. This device will have to deliver tremendous power to power five 4-ohm speakers and a sub. This means the load per channel they can provide is typically more limited, and you risk blowing a receiver channel or the entire device if you’re not careful.
However, manufacturers have already handled the technical work on your behalf, so you must select a 4-ohm certified receiver. Most receivers on the marketplace have an impedance between 6 ohms to 16 ohms, and they can serve your needs perfectly well.
Using a certified 4-ohm receiver is the best way to ensure you have a fair workload so that the receiver can drive safely without the risk of overheating or damage in the process. We recommend adding an external amp to ensure you drive these low-impedance speakers with substantial power.
There are also many technical formulas that you can use to calculate and match impedance. Many experts use the Smith Chart Impedance matching for RF applications. However, you can match impedance without going technical.
In this case, getting a low impedance amplifier is a good idea because it will allow you to power down and high impedance speakers.
How to Prevent Overheating Your Receiver and Amp
The amp and receiver will likely heat up if you are driving your amp with too many low impedance speakers.
Worse, if you cram the devices between air-tight TV furniture and other poorly ventilated spaces, you risk choking the amp and overheating the receiver.
Should I Use 4 Ohm Speakers with My Receiver?
To answer this question, we must step back and consider the important thing that your receiver provides, and your 4-ohm speakers need power. If your receiver can deliver the right power, you can use the speaker with it.
Remember, most modern receivers have impedance settings that you can use to match the speakers’ and receivers’ impedance. For example, if the receiver’s default impedance is 8 ohms, you can use the settings and reduce it to 4 ohms.
Even though this setting can be helpful, we do not recommend using a 4-ohms speaker with any higher-impedance speaker. Setting the receiver impedance to 4 ohms lowers its maximum power output.
In other words, by opting for the lower impedance setting, you are telling the receiver to reduce its overall performance.
So, it would be best if you only used 4-ohm speakers with your AV receivers that support them, and your AV receivers should be 4-ohm certified. Remember that there is no harm in using a lower-impedance receiver with a higher-impedance speaker.
So, if you have receivers rated 4 ohms and below, it is safe to use them with 4-ohms speakers. The only challenge is that the receivers are difficult to get in the market.
So, we have seen why you should not use 4-ohms speakers with higher-impedance AV receivers. You may be asking whether there are exceptions to this general rule.
Yes, there are a few exceptions from receivers that allow 4-ohm speakers. You can use some other receiver with 4-ohm speakers in rare cases.
Firstly, remember that the indicated impedance is a nominal figure, and it is an average. So, if your speaker’s impedance can rise to about 8 ohms and the receivers’ impedance can be around the exact figure for a significant portion of their curves, you can use the receiver with the speaker.
On the other hand, some speakers can fluctuate significantly and drop low on their impedance curve (such as Magnepan speakers, for instance).
However, this is not always the case, especially if the receiver has an extremely high impedance rating. For example, if the receiver is rated 16 ohms, you should not use it with a 4-ohm speaker.
You can use the impedance settings if the impedance fails to fluctuate as you desire. As we have said, this is an important solution, but it will reduce your receiver’s overall efficiency. However, if quality reduction is not your major concern, you can use the settings to match the impedance.
Another common solution is reducing the volume of your audio/video system. You may know that if you use a 4-ohm speaker with any receiver with a higher impedance, the receiver will likely blow if you turn the volume too high.
However, the receiver will not have to supply too much current if you keep the volume extremely low. As you likely know, the higher the volume, the higher the power your speaker demands.
So, in some cases, you can use any receiver with 4-ohm speakers, provided you ensure the speakers are getting adequate power by keeping the volume as low as possible.
Can I Use 4 Ohm Speakers With My Receiver?
Can I use 4-ohm speakers with my receiver? Yes, you can use 4-ohm speakers with 4-ohm rated receivers.
You can use a 4-ohm-rated speaker with receivers rated 6 to 16 ohms, but you need to be careful that your speakers aren’t pulling too much power from your receiver. You need to keep the speaker’s volume low and match the energy.
If you are not careful in keeping the volume low, you risk overdriving or clipping the receiver or amplifier if one is attached.
How Many Watts Can A 4-ohm Speaker Handle?
Different 4-ohm speakers can handle different levels of power depending on the manufacturer. This could be, for example, 30 watts up to 400 watts, more or less.
In any case, you need to check the specifications of the speaker you are using. Importantly, it would be best if you considered the amp.
Let’s say we have an amplifier with specifications of output power is 100 watts RMS at 8 ohms.
This means that the maximum output power of a 4-ohm speaker is 200 watts. However, you need an amplifier that can double the power specification of the speaker and so you need an amplifier that can produce at least 400 watts for this 4-ohm speaker.
Can 4 Ohm Speakers Be Used With AV Receivers Instead Of Power Amps?
You can use a 4-ohm speaker directly with a receiver if the receiver is rated at 4 ohms, the wattage is matched, and you do not max out the volume. The best option is to include an amplifier if your speaker requires considerable power. On the other hand, if you have a powered speaker, you can connect it directly to your AV receiver.
What Is The Cheapest AV Receiver That Can Be Used With 4 Ohm Speakers?
Finding good and cheap AV receivers that support 4-ohm speakers is complex, and this is because this speaker typically requires a lot of power and is not easy to drive. It is best to have a power amplifier if you do not have a lot of money to spend.
If you are set on using a receiver that is rated at 4 ohms, then here are some affordable options:
NAD T 748V2
Marantz US SR5009
Marantz US NR1608
Onkyo TX-NR656 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver
FAQs
1. A 4-ohm speaker can take how many watts?
When playing light dance music, the 4-ohm power of the amplifier should be 1.6 x 100 W or 160 W continuous per channel. The amplifier’s 4-ohm power should be 2.5 x 100 W or 250 W continuous per channel to handle heavy metal/grunge.
2. Is a 4-ohm speaker good for bass?
If you want greater bass, you should go with a 4-ohm speaker. A 2-ohm speaker, on the other hand, is a better choice if you want a more balanced sound.
3. Can a 4-ohm speaker run at 8-ohms?
Yes, one can run a 4-ohm speaker with sufficient receiver ventilation at 8-ohms.
4. Which is better: 4-ohm or 8-ohm?
A 4-ohm lower impedance is often used for lesser power, whereas an 8-ohm impedance is typically used for a higher power. An amplifier is necessary, and there are two ways to connect numerous speakers: parallel and series.
5. How many ohms can a receiver handle?
Receivers can easily handle 8-ohm and perhaps 6-ohm speakers too. As long as you don’t raise it too high, it will gladly power a 4-ohm speaker as well, as mentioned in this article. You should double-check if you want to use speakers with impedances of less than 6 ohms.
Final Verdict
There you have it, the best AV receivers that officially support 4-ohm speakers. As you may have realized, receivers that support 4-ohm speakers are not cheap equipment, to begin with, quite frankly.
However, you should be able to use these receivers with your low-impedance speakers and get excellent results. Remember, you may not get the best listening experience if you ignore impedance matching.
Finally, keep in mind that even if you are using a receiver that can support your 4-ohm amps, it’s still a good idea to use a power amp if you will be driving your speakers at max power for extended periods.
Receiver That Can Be Used With 4 Ohm Speakers?
Finding good and cheap AV receivers that support 4-ohm speakers is complex, and this is because this speaker typically requires a lot of power and is not easy to drive. It is best to have a power amplifier if you do not have a lot of money to spend.
If you are set on using a receiver that is rated at 4 ohms, then here are some affordable options:
NAD T 748V2
Marantz US SR5009
Marantz US NR1608
Onkyo TX-NR656 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver
Final Verdict
There you have it, the best AV receivers that officially support 4-ohm speakers. As you may have realized, receivers that support 4-ohm speakers are not cheap equipment, to begin with, quite frankly.
However, you should be able to use these receivers with your low-impedance speakers and get excellent results. Remember, you may not get the best listening experience if you ignore impedance matching.
Finally, keep in mind that even if you are using a receiver that can support your 4-ohm amps, it’s still a good idea to use a power amp if you will be driving your speakers at max power for extended periods.
Norvan Martin is the founder of BoomSpeaker.com. He is a professional Electronics Engineer and is passionate about home theater systems and AV electronics. BoomSpeaker was created as an online hub to share his knowledge and experiences as it relates to home theaters and home audio electronics.