The switches are actually small resistors that you can move in and out of the electrical path. They may change the way your speakers sound - don't use them. It is a cheesy way to get your 4 ohm speakers look 8 ohm to your amp.
My old H-K 795i receiver can handle 4 ohm loads no problem. I am not sure about most of the new A/V receivers. Amplifier design has not moved forward much and still takes a large amount of space in the receiver. If a setereo and a 5.1 receiver are the same size and wieght - they made shortcuts somewhere - period. Look at the transformers and heatsinks.
Also, look at how they report their power ratings. On some 5 channel receivers they report the power from 2 channels only as their rating and only at one frequency. They are trying to deceive us.
Dave
My old H-K 795i receiver can handle 4 ohm loads no problem. I am not sure about most of the new A/V receivers. Amplifier design has not moved forward much and still takes a large amount of space in the receiver. If a setereo and a 5.1 receiver are the same size and wieght - they made shortcuts somewhere - period. Look at the transformers and heatsinks.
Also, look at how they report their power ratings. On some 5 channel receivers they report the power from 2 channels only as their rating and only at one frequency. They are trying to deceive us.
Dave