Using Klipsch KSB1.1 speakers with a Pioneer Elite Receiver VSX-81TXV

[WSalemGuy]

I have owned the above referenced Pioneer Elite Receiver, the VSX-81TXV, for a little over five years. No changes in setup or speakers during that time. A few weeks ago, my receiver quit, would not come on. While whatching TV one evening, it just "popped" and it went dead. I took it to a local reputable Pioneer authorized shop and they replaced an amplifier pc board and a transister. The technitian told me he thought the problem was caused by my speakers, which were the Klipsch KSB1.1 bookshelf speakers. He said they were 4 ohms. I went to the Klipsch website and printed off the Specs for those speakers and Klipsch rates them as "nominal 8 ohms". I took the printout when I went to pick my repaired receiver up and showed it to the tech. He used an ohm meter and showed me the reading of 4 ohms, by putting the meter contacts onto the terminals at the back of the speaker. I'm not that technically knowledgeable about ohms and how they affect everything, but now I'm more confused than ever.

The dealer I bought my receiver from says its ok to use these speakers. Now some will say that sure he says that, he just wants to sell me another receiver some day when I blow this one again. Not so, though. I have known this guy for many years. He's honest and reputable and could have sold me new speakers today, but talked me out of buying them.

I called Pioneer and was told not to use these speakers with this receiver. Klipsch says its probably ok for me tot use them.

This receiver was nearly a thousand dollars new five years ago. I got it for around 750.00. Now I have another three hundred in it for the repair and I surely don't want to have it go out on me again, because of this speaker issue.

Can anyone give me any guidance here?

[Sancho Panza]

Have no problems running a set as Surround Back with my wife's Denon AVR-3311, until I can get something better.

Impedance varies, that's why the are called 8 Ohm "nominal".

I'm posting from iPhone so maybe someone else may post a good link for impedance.

[Zen Traveler]

I have owned the above referenced Pioneer Elite Receiver, the VSX-81TXV, for a little over five years. No changes in setup or speakers during that time. A few weeks ago, my receiver quit, would not come on. While whatching TV one evening, it just "popped" and it went dead. I took it to a local reputable Pioneer authorized shop and they replaced an amplifier pc board and a transister. The technitian told me he thought the problem was caused by my speakers, which were the Klipsch KSB1.1 bookshelf speakers....

I called Pioneer and was told not to use these speakers with this receiver. Klipsch says its probably ok for me tot use them....

5 year old AVRs go out for a number of reasons but I call [bs] that it's because of your speakers.

EDIT: If you would have called both companies when you purchased them new, my bet is BOTH would say they should work good together. For the record there are alot of Pioneer AVR users on this forum that are driving speakers that have lower impedance dips than those KSB 1.1s.

[Zen Traveler]

This receiver was nearly a thousand dollars new five years ago. I got it for around 750.00. Now I have another three hundred in it for the repair and I surely don't want to have it go out on me again, because of this speaker issue...Can anyone give me any guidance here?

I also hate to tell you this but for $300 (or close to it) you could've bought a NEW AVR that would be comparable and more than likely an upgrade. [:S]

[WSalemGuy]

I am 57 years old and am accustomed to having buttons that switch to other components, such as VCR, (yes, vcr), DVD, AM/FM and such. This was the only receiver that I could find at the time that provided a row of buttons. SOLD. Plus, it had the spects at the time. Thanks for your imput though.

[derrickdj1]

I would say if you got 5 years out of it with no problem, continue using your speakers and avr and not worry about it. Also, welcome to the forum![]

[Zen Traveler]

I can dig it, given that I'm not much younger than you. That said, I didn't mean to come across as crass, but the folks who repaired it should have mentioned that it would cost as much to repair as a newer model would cost. Anyway, given what they said, I am not sure where I would go from here...I still don't think it was the speakers that caused it but if they told you not to drive them they probably won't repair it again if they gave you a warranty period for the fix and that caveat. Good Luck.

[Zen Traveler]

I would say if you got 5 years out ot it with no problem, continue using your speakers and avr and not worry about it. Also, welcome to the forum!

I agree and was going to welcome him but he joined in 2007.

[WSalemGuy]

Yes, I did join in 2007. I didn't even realize it until I went to post the question on this thread. I went to sign up and found that I was already registered. I'm guessing that I originally signed up when I purchased the Pioneer Elite and I was trying to find out if these Klipsch speakers were compatible. I'll see if there is a search feature for any posts I may have made in the past.

Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond and to those who welcomed me to the forum, or welcomed me back.

Alex

[WSalemGuy]

tkdamerica,

You did not come off as crass. I considered what you said also. Thanks for commenting.

[Reginald Rodgers]

My Pioneer ran flawlessly for years even at sustained high volumes. The internal fan would activate automatically as needed. But, I recently purchased Klipsch speakers and at high volume they cause my receiver to display "Overload". Then it immediately shuts down. The impedance of the Klipsch speakers drops too low to be used with certain Pioneer receivers. My receiver is a VSX-515.