2. amps-preamps
  3. 140067-121356

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 11 responses by jj91709

jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
All 9 are installed in the ceiling. Goal is just more power going to the 9. The amp is 7.1 capable but the total wattage is insufficient to drive all 9.
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Thanks imhifiman and Erik.

In the case of the speaker distribution controller , in this arrangement would I get rid of the ost audio unit? And would I simultaneously run front I/r from the onkyo speakers to the controller and the pre-amp outs out from those same channels? I just can’t remember if those are mutually exclusive (you can do either pre-amp out or speaker level out for front l/r).
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
No movies. Just music. What is a pro/distribution set up?
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Actually it looks to me like the ost unit accommodates 2 amps 

OSD Audio ATM7 Automatic 7-Zone Speaker Selector w/ IR Remote Control IR Code https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Y8MH3M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9XJ9BbP5GNFWK

it references:
impedance protection circuitry
and
Impedance-Matching Autoformers safely distribute maximum power throughout your system.

jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Thanks again. 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? 

Happy thanksgiving. 
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Thanks Tim. This is just to fill the room. I have a dedicated theater already properly configured plus a recording studio so they’re very different goals. Take care
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Thanks again hifiman. Currently everything is home runned back to the atm7. So each output from the atm7 connects directly to the speaker. So with nine speakers does that mean I’m somewhere around the 1-2 ohm load? I’m going to study impedance ohms now. 
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Your parents raised your parents raised a considerate and compassionate son Tim. They should be proud. 
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Hifiman, can I ask how you would recommend wiring the 9th speaker? It seems like I could run 3 in parallel which would be 2.66 ohm. My onkyo amp specs are 8/4/3 ohm. Is the difference significant enough?

i also just received a second amp that is 100w x 2 (Yamaha R-S202) which is 8 ohm.

I would prefer to keep them in stereo as the layout of the room works well even with the odd speaker due to the seating. 
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
Great idea! How’d I miss that? ;)

What is the point of the switch in this case? I’ll always want all 9 playing at the same time so is a switch necessary?
jj91709 OP
11 posts
 
No they’re two dedicated amps. Would I be better putting 5 speakers on one amp and four on the other to more evenly equalize the power?
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