Yamaha RX-V675 and 4-ohm speakers (1 Viewer)

I'm upgrading the HT equipment to go with the new Samsung plasma TV. Looks like I goofed by jumping on an Amazon deal for a Yamaha RX-V675 ($350). (The old H/K AVR 525 doesn't do HDMI and was getting quirky.) Going to set up the new Yamaha, I (re)discovered that the speakers are 4-ohms. The RX-V675 has 6/8 ohm options, and the manual says I can set the speaker impedance at 6-ohms and use 4-ohm speakers as fronts. It says nothing about the surrounds.

I'd love some suggestions on what my options are:
1) return the Yamaha and spend (alot?) more for a 4-ohm capable receiver (recommendations?)
2) roll the dice with the yamaha and keep the volume under control
3) anything else? was thinking a second amp, but no pre-outs on the 675.

The room is smallish (11x16) and the bride doesn't do *loud*
5.1 speakers: Totem Acoustics Dreamcatcher 4-ohm front & surround pairs, 8-ohm center. Hsu STF-2 subwoofer.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions.

I have the 775, which I think is very similar to hte 675 but has pre-outs (check your manual for other changes). Years ago, when I talked with Bose about using my 4Ω 401s with receivers, the engineer told me they were effectively 6Ω in practice. I was having issues with a Sony amp and the engineer told me they had seen Sony amps with very cheap chipsets, resulting in issues.

Fast forward a few years, and I've used several Yamahas for their support of lower impedance speakers, and feature set. I think you might be fine with 4Ω or 6Ω speakers as surrounds if you don't have the volume up too high. Maybe trim them 2dB.

Of course, you could contact Yamaha or the speakers' manufacturer for help. I really like the other features of the 775, and think youll find the 675 a great mid-range amp.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the Bose guys know their stuff.


I chatted with the folks at Yamaha and they didn't have much to offer beyond it "might run hotter or shut off" if I used 4 ohms all around. (They also said Yamaha doesn't have any receivers that do 4 ohms all the way around.) I didn't think to see what the folks at Totem might have said.


At this point, I've chickened out somewhat and swapped out the 4-ohm Totem surrounds for a pair of 8-ohm Polk TSi 100s that I had upstairs. Ran the YPAO auto setup and discovered my subwoofer is cooked - Have to get a new fuse, or (more likely) replace the Hsu amplifier.


Despite that, the sound produced through some of the sound programs is quite impressive. I'm looking forward to experimenting with the different options. Yes, the 675 does not have pre-outs like the 775 or I might have gone that route. Also slightly surprised it does not have a switched A/C outlet like the H/K it replaced.


Next up is to see about getting the upstairs set up reconfigured with the Totems and the old H/K 525 amp.

The 675/775 has a lot going for it, the web and mobile app support is vunderbar. Feel free to ask any questions here, I've been delving deep into it.

$350 was a nice bargain....