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Yamaha M-80 Amplifier Connection Options

Hello to all,

Hoping to shed light on the best speaker hook-ups for a new (to me) Yamaha M-80 amplifier. The amp will power (1) pair Boston Acoustics VR-3's. The BA's are 15-250 watts, 8 ohms and have 93db efficiency. Until now I've bi-wired the speakers c/o my Yamaha AV5990 (rated at 120 watts 20-20). Not bad, but I'm looking for much better from the new M-80 rated at 250wpc @ 8 ohms.

The M-80 gives me the option of using speaker pair A, pair B and/or pair C either separately or in a variety of combinations. However Yamaha qualifies this with the following verbiage...Scenario 1; Connect (2) pairs of speakers in parallel using A and then using either B or C --- OR --- connect (2) pairs of speakers in series using B and C.

Now Yamaha recommends that speakers run in parallel be 8 ohm minimum and then add that speakers run in series be 2 ohm minimum. I'm determined to keep bi-wiring but I'm not sure what's my best option given all the different combos???

Here is the PDF version of my owners manual... http://www.usersmanualguide.com/yamaha_audio/separate_amplifiers/m-80

I sincerely appreciate any good opinions...

Mike S.
128x128mako20ft
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Bi-wire is not the same as running two pair of speakers. You can hook one set of cables to speaker A posts, the other pair to speaker B posts....no problem.

Dave
mako20ft's avatar
mako20ft OP
4 posts
 
Understanding bi-wiring isn't the challenge. I want to talk about using different channel outputs i.e. A OR B OR C (in what combination to be determined). The idea is to send the cleanest power to each pair of inputs on each of the speakers.

For example; my inclination is to use the (L) on Channel A with the (L) on channel B to bi-wire my left side. Then use the (R) side of channel B and C to the other. This is bordering on bi-amping but I think folks get the drift.

Do I stand to gain sonically or I am taking risks with the yamaha on in parallel vs. in series hook-ups?
chaoticmass
3 posts
 
Not sure if this helps you, but I am doing something similar currently.

I have the Mirage OM9 speakers, rated for 50-150w 8ohm, bi-wire/bi-amp capable. I am driving them bi-wire using a Yamaha MX-460 amp, which is 80 wpc rms, and has A and B outputs.

On the amp, Outputs A run to the Highs, and B runs to the lows. To clarify, if I go to my amp and toggle B outputs off, you hear only the highs, and vice versa.

This was simply the most logical setup to me and also the simplest.

The difference in sound was noticeable. This setup works well, but when my 2nd new (to me) MX-460 amp comes in the mail I will be bi-amping.

Hope this helps.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
The M-80 is in a class by itself when compared to anything Yamaha ever made. I don't think it is 250 watts per channel (can't recall)? However, the first 10 or so watts are class "A" which makes it so nice.
By using a pair of output, ie A & B, you are forcing the unit to use its internal impedance matching hardware. I wonder if this will impede the sound?
Personally, I would bi-wire using only the A jacks with Y splitters and see how that sounds. It may be slightly easier on the amp to use A&B or B&C but you may loose some dynamics??? Your speakers should be quite an easy load on any amp, so don't worry.
By the way, when playing softly, the amp will run extremely hot. That is the class A circuitry. Don't worry. It will only run cooler if you are blasting music and with 93db speakers, I doubt you will need more than 10 watts ever!
mako20ft's avatar
mako20ft OP
4 posts
 
Good advice all; the specifications list 250 watts at 8 ohms but what it actually will push is anybody's guess. After reading the connections page in the manual for the 10th time I'm going to try wiring using the B & C channels. This set up will be in series and logically should give me a 16 ohm resistance???
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