Are speaker selectors dangerous? (1 Viewer)

[BrianCli]

I have a brand new H/K 525 that I do not want to harm in any way, shape, or form. I need to send audio (stereo) information to another room that is wired to the same location as my H/K 525. Someone recommended that I use the Niles HDL-4 speaker selector to drive "room b" stereo speakers, but I am concerned that the load would be harmful to the receiver.

I have the system configured as a 7.1, so I cannot utilize the "multi-room" feature H/K offers. The "room b" speakers are small Outdoor polks Atrium45's (see specs below).

Will a speaker selector be harmful to use?

If not, which speaker terminals should I split? The fronts?

Which speaker selector would you all recommend?

Thanks for your help.

Brian C

Tallahassee, FL
Go Noles.



Polk Atrium45
Overall Frequency Response 75Hz - 20kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 10 - 80 w/channel
Power Handling (continuous) 80 w
Power Handling (peak) 160 w
Efficiency 89 dB

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Brian,

Speaker selectors like the Niles are designed to maintain a proper load to the receiver’s amplifier section. The harm would be in not using one.

Since you’re intending to power stereo speakers at the remote location, use the front L/R mains.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BrianCli]

Thanks for the feedback Wayne. So this wont pose too much load for the Front left and right channels?

Thanks again!

Brian

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

No. These things will maintain an 8-ohm load to the amplifier.

Radio Shack also sells some – might be a little cheaper and more readily available than the Niles.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Ted Lee]

Speaker selectors like the Niles are designed to maintain a proper load to the receiver’s amplifier section. The harm would be in not using one.

exactly. don't those niles boxes even have built-in protection circuitry?

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

No - they are passive devices that maintain the proper load with (I think) resistor networks.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt