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Powering nine home speakers

Hi. I have a large open living room and want to increase the wattage I have running my speakers. I currently have an Onkyo 7-channel amp and took the front left and right outs and have them going to an OSD Audio ATM7 7-zone speaker selector. However the Onkyo amp is not powerful enough to drive all 9 speakers strong enough. It sounds very weak. 

The only device I want to connect is a sonos connect that I have. Currently I connect the optical out of that to the Onkyo amp. Should I introduce a second amp? How exactly would I connect them? Would I run the sonos connect into one amp and take the preamp outs to the other amp? Can you have a standard front left and right out AND a preamp out at the same time?

i only want/need stereo sound not surround. 

Thanks!
jj91709

Showing 9 responses by imhififan

imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
The OSD Audio ATM7 7-zone speaker selector dose not provide impedance matching, try one speaker distribution selector with impedance matching, if still has insufficient music volume then add a higher power stereo amp connect to the Onkyo front R/L pre-out to drive those speakers.
https://www.amazon.com/5-Zone-Stereo-Speaker-Distribution-Controller/dp/B01G7TW8W0
Onkyo R/L pre-out ---> stereo power amp ---> speaker selector with impedance matching ----> speakers
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
it references:
impedance protection circuitry
and
Impedance-Matching Autoformers safely distribute maximum power throughout your system.
The TSM8 and TSM12 come with autoformer and impedance protection circuitry, not on the ATM7!
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
I suggest you try this first:
Onkyo front left and right speaker outs --->  speaker selector with impedance matching ----> speakers 
Imo, when you parallel all speakers without impedance matching, it give a very low impedance for the Onkyo to handle! 
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
I helped my friend wiring 8 speakers for his 2000sq ft. restaurant dinning room powered by a 80Wx2 receiver with satisfactory volume level.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
Can I ask what’s the risk if the impedance doesn’t match (ie using the current speaker selector and a second amp)? Harm to the equipment or just uneven sound?
Not too many power amp can handle 2 ohms or less load, Some amp protection circuitry will lower the output or shut itself down, some will over heated and caused damage! That’s the reason for impedance protection circuitry.
If you want to use the ATM7, wire the speakers close to 8 ohms:
http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/4ps-spkr.gif
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
Try connect 4 speakers as a group follow the wiring diagram, one group for right channel and one for left channel, leave the last speaker unconnected and see what’s the result.
http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/4ps-spkr.gif
https://www.amplifiedparts.com/tech-corner/speaker-impedance-power-handling-and-wiring
Please refer to ’Example 4’
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
Best to have each speaker with its dedicated amplification so you can adjust each channel level for evenly distribution.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
Since you have the onkyo receiver with 7 channel of power amp, and a stereo amp (Yamaha R-S202), why not make full use of all 9 channel of amplification!
Just connect 7 of the ceiling speakers to the onkyo speaker terminals via a/b speaker switcher on each speaker:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/newbie-audio-engineering-production-question-zone/421582...

connect the Yamaha line in to onkyo front R/L out, and use the Yamaha to power two more ceiling speakers.

Select Full mono or Neo 6 music playback mode on your onkyo for room filling music listening.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,225 posts
 
I thought you have a HT setup using the onkyo in a dedicated theater room and want to switch the music to your living room?
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