Jump to content

RF-3 II Safe to use with low impedance


Silvos

Recommended Posts

I just bought a pair of RF-3 an RC-3 and a sub for 375.00, good deal?.... When I connected them to my Sony receiver, they did not sound what I anticipated. I have one those home theater in box kits DAV-HDX576WF. I checked the specs and its rated at 143 watts per channel at 3 ohms. I also have a Pioneer A-35R which is rated 60 watts* per channel, min., at 4 ohms. Huge, Huge, Huge difference using the Pioneer A-35R the speakers really come alive.

< br />

The Pioneer A-35R also says this:

Speaker Impedance

When speaker systems are connected to only SPEAKERS A

or SPEAKERS B terminals, such speakers should have rated

impedance in the range of 416 ohms.

When speaker are connected to both A and B terminals, they

should have a rated impedance in the range of 8 32 ohms.

< br />

I have several questions:

< br />

-Can I damage the RF-3's using the sony amp at 3ohms?

< br />

-Whats the minimum ohm rating for the RF-3s; for that matter is there a minimum or a maximum?

< br />

-When I connected the speakers to the Pioneer I used the B terminals. I'm shy about running wires to both A and B posts and then connecting the speakers to those wires. Is this how I would get 8-32ohms? Or would I simply use the A terminals and then have both A and B switches turned on, on the font of the unit? Is the connection done internally or externally? Should I even connect the RF-3s to use 8-32 ohms?

< br />

I'm kinda confused about the ohms. I checked the spec sheet on the RF-3 and it does not give the minimum impedance values

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just bought a pair of RF-3 an RC-3 and a sub for 375.00, good deal?.... When I connected them to my Sony receiver, they did not sound what I anticipated. I have one those home theater in box kits DAV-HDX576WF. I checked the specs and its rated at 143 watts per channel at 3 ohms. I also have a Pioneer A-35R which is rated 60 watts* per channel, min., at 4 ohms. Huge, Huge, Huge difference using the Pioneer A-35R the speakers really come alive.

The "theater in a box" was most likely WAAAAAY overstating it's output. Also, they stated it's output into THREE OHMS!! I've never heard of any amplifier maker stating it's output into 3 ohms; that's just WEIRD.

All speakers have an impedance rating, which is the amount of resistance they present to the amplifier. Higher numbers equal more resistance & result in less power available from the amp. Amplifiers have a minimum impedance they will drive as the lower the impedance, the more current which is required from the amp to drive said speakers.

The Pioneer A-35R also says this:
Speaker Impedance
When speaker systems are connected to only SPEAKERS A
or SPEAKERS B terminals, such speakers should have rated
impedance in the range of 4–16 ohms.
When speaker are connected to both A and B terminals, they
should have a rated impedance in the range of 8 –32 ohms.
If you were to connect 2 pair of speakers rated at 4 ohms impedance, you'd be presenting a 2 ohm load to the amp, which it isn't designed to drive.

I have several questions:



-Can I damage the RF-3's using the sony amp at 3ohms? If the Pioneer is rated 60 watts into 4 ohms, that means it ouputs probably 45 watts or less into 8 ohms. So this isn't really a valid question.


-Whats the minimum ohm rating for the RF-3s; for that matter is there a minimum or a maximum?
I'm pretty certain your RF-3s are 8 ohm speakers. You don't have
nearly enough amp to bring out the best in your speakers
. The impedance of speakers varies over the range of audible frequencies. A speaker rated 8 ohms can dip or rise to many time above or below that rating depending on the frequency. Manufacturers take a "nominal" rating that is average over the audible spectrum.

-When I connected the speakers to the Pioneer I used the B terminals. I'm shy about running wires to both A and B posts and then connecting the speakers to those wires. Is this how I would get 8-32ohms? Or would I simply use the A terminals and then have both A and B switches turned on, on the font of the unit? Is the connection done internally or externally? Should I even connect the RF-3s to use 8-32 ohms?
You only have ONE pair of speakers, right? It's entirely superfluous to connect them to both A & B outputs; won't change a thing--connecting to either presents the same load to the amp. If you had TWO pair of 8 ohm speakers, that would reduce your total impedance to 4 ohms, which is why they state don't use speakers less than 8 ohms if you are using two pair.


I'm kinda confused about the ohms. I checked the spec sheet on the RF-3 and it does not give the minimum impedance values. Like I said, I'm pretty certain they are 8 ohms nominal, as that's what most of the Klipsch line are.

I hope I've explained this in such a way you can understand. There are a lot of electronic elements at play here which you obviously don't understand. Hopefully we can educate you in what you need (or want) to know~

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reply!

Well the manual for the Sony DAV-HDX576WF states in the specification section that its 3 ohms. Also the stickers on the back of the Sony speakers say 3 ohms.

-Can I damage the RF-3's using the sony amp at 3ohms? If the Pioneer is rated 60 watts into 4 ohms, that means it ouputs probably 45 watts or less into 8 ohms. So this isn't really a valid question.Assuming this is true could I hurt the RF-3 by using them with this Sony receiver?

So If I use the Sony receiver with the RF-3 and the Sony is outputting 3 ohms could this hurt the RF-3's?

-When I connected the speakers to the Pioneer I used the B terminals. I'm shy about running wires to both A and B posts and then connecting the speakers to those wires. Is this how I would get 8-32ohms? Or would I simply use the A terminals and then have both A and B switches turned on, on the font of the unit? Is the connection done internally or externally? Should I even connect the RF-3s to use 8-32 ohms? You only have ONE pair of speakers, right? It's entirely superfluous to connect them to both A & B outputs; won't change a thing--connecting to either presents the same load to the amp. If you had TWO pair of 8 ohm speakers, that would reduce your total impedance to 4 ohms, which is why they state don't use speakers less than 8 ohms if you are using two pair.

Correct I only have one pair. The Pioneer manual says that I could give 8-32 ohms if I connected to both A and B terminals. Its unclear how I should use both A and B terminals. On Amps that support this do they do the switching internally? Meaning to get 8-32 ohms I would wire to just the A Posts on the amp but have Both A and B switches turned on, on the Amp?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reply!



Well the manual for the Sony DAV-HDX576WF states in the specification section that its 3 ohms. Also the stickers on the back of the Sony speakers say 3 ohms. -Can I damage the RF-3's using the sony amp at 3ohms? If the Pioneer is rated 60 watts into 4 ohms, that means it ouputs probably 45 watts or less into 8 ohms. So this isn't really a valid question.Assuming this is true could I hurt the RF-3 by using them with this Sony receiver?

Not likely, it's just underpowered...so it will run out of steam very quickly.

So If I use the Sony receiver with the RF-3 and the Sony is outputting 3 ohms could this hurt the RF-3's? An amp doesn't "output" 3 ohms. The ohm rating is the resistance of the speakers, only. Again, it's just underpowered. An amps output in watts rises as the impedance/resistance of the speaker goes down, but each amp has a minimum resistance it will safely drive (varies but low resistance loads usually can't be driven except by more expensive/higher quality amplifiers).

-When I connected the speakers to the Pioneer I used the B terminals. I'm shy about running wires to both A and B posts and then connecting the speakers to those wires. Is this how I would get 8-32ohms? Or would I simply use the A terminals and then have both A and B switches turned on, on the font of the unit?

Yes, just use the A terminals if you're only using one pair of speakers. YHowever, you could use EITHER A or B, makes no difference.

Is the connection done internally or externally? Should I even connect the RF-3s to use 8-32 ohms? You only have ONE pair of speakers, right? It's entirely superfluous to connect them to both A & B outputs; won't change a thing--connecting to either presents the same load to the amp. If you had TWO pair of 8 ohm speakers, that would reduce your total impedance to 4 ohms, which is why they state don't use speakers less than 8 ohms if you are using two pair.

Correct I only have one pair. The Pioneer manual says that I could give 8-32 ohms if I connected to both A and B terminals. Its unclear how I should use both A and B terminals. On Amps that support this do they do the switching internally? Meaning to get 8-32 ohms I would wire to just the A Posts on the amp but have Both A and B switches turned on, on the Amp? The A/B is for two pair of speakers. Makes no difference which you use with one pair. The "8 to 32 ohms" thing simply means you can use speakers with any impedance between 8 & 32 ohms. Yours are 8.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TNRabbit - Thanks for answering my questions! You've cleared up the confusion I had regarding ohms, and the A/B switch. Even though you suggest It would not hurt to use the RF-3's on the Sony Amp, I've decided not too. They sound so much better on the Pioneer. So until I can get a proper Surround Amp I'm going to use the 2 channel A-35R.

Thanks again for the help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...