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Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

post #1 of 7
3/25/09 at 7:06am
Thread Starter 
I recently purchased 4 Bose 151 outdoor speakers.I didn't realize they were 4 ohm speakers.Can anybody help recommend which of these receivers might work best?I have a Harmon Kardon HK3400 Receiver, Denon AVR 800 Stereo Receiver or a SONY STR-DE135.I believe all 3 are 2 channel stereos.My knowledge is only enough to have concerns about 4 ohms.I'm not familiar with heat sinks and many of the other terms.I'd prefer to use a receiver I already have and don't really want to buy a high end one to use on a porch because of the environment with moisture/humidity issues.Thanks to any help/advice you can give me.
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post #2 of 7
3/25/09 at 8:35am

Re: Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

Quote:
I'd prefer to use a receiver I already have and don't really want to buy a high end one to use on a porch because of the environment with moisture/humidity issues.
Don't put ANY receiver on the porch, at least not to leave it there. Set up the receiver inside, and run the wires out to the speakers.
If the receivers aren't made for 4 ohm speakers (owner's manual will tell you), you're asking for trouble. You may get away with using it for awhile, as long as you don't turn the volume up very loud. 4 ohm speakers can cause an 8 ohm receiver to fry something inside. Newer receivers have a "protection mode" they will go in, when they get too hot, to keep from damaging it.

I'd take the speakers back, and get 8 ohm speakers, and not just because they are 4 ohm, but because they are Bose. You will find no love for Bose speakers at home theater forums. You can buy better, for the same money, or even less. They are so-so speakers, that are extremely over priced.
Good luck!
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post #3 of 7
3/25/09 at 9:48am

Re: Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

If you have four speakers, run two for the left channel and two for the right. Wire the left two in series, and wire the right two in series. This will make each pair of speakers 8 ohms. Problem solved!

If you still have the ability to return your Bose speakers- DO IT!!!! You just paid for some commercials to lure in other gullable victims. Bose only gets away with charging high prices because the uneducated speaker consumer figures he is getting what he paid for- WRONG! Bose is a crock of sh*t. You could do soooo much better with the same amount of money elsewhere.

Oh yeah, like Ed said, don't put your receiver outside. You have more chance of killing it like that than you do with cranking it up on a 4 ohm load.
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post #4 of 7
3/25/09 at 10:00am
Thread Starter 

Re: Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

Thanks for the help.I very much appreciate it.
I know this is a rookie questions but how do I hook them up in series?
Unfortunately I bought the Bose on Ebay so can't return them.The good news is I bought them cheap (only about $100 for 4 Bose 151s used with shipping) obviously way less than new retail.I bought them to be able to be used outdoors where these will be.They sound ok at best, they sure don't have the sound my Boston Acoustics do.In the back yard with other noises hopefully the quality won't be too noticeable.
Thanks again for the help.
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post #5 of 7
3/25/09 at 10:16am
Thread Starter 

Re: Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

What speakers would you recommend for outdoors? I plan on using 2 inside the porch which will be protected. The other 2 pointed outside.These will be subjected to rain.They are going to be mounted under the porch eaves so some protection but with wind there is a good chance they'll get wet occasionally.Any help is appreciated.
The receivers I have are rated for 4 or 8 ohm speakers if that helps.
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post #6 of 7
3/25/09 at 12:39pm

Re: Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

To wire in series:
hook the + on reciever to the + on first speaker. then go from the - on the first speaker to the + on the second speaker. then go from - on the second speaker to the - on your receiver.
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post #7 of 7
3/25/09 at 12:41pm

Re: Help need advice on 4 ohm outdoor speakers & which receiver

i would just mount them up under your eaves like you said. indoor speakers will last a couple of years like that if they are not subject to complete soaking.
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