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Question

Audio Receiver connection

Dec 29, 2014 2:23AM PST

I just installed 3 pairs of ceiling speakers that I wanted to play at the same time. I was thinking of buying a receiver that would drive all 3 pairs (McIntosh or a 2 channel + amp) but am looking to save money. I have 2 receivers (like new). Both can drive 2 pairs of speakers and both have pre-out and main-in jacks in back.
Denon DRA-685 and Harmon Kardon HK-3470. One will have a CD player connected to it.
question - can I connect both receivers and play music through all 3 pairs of speakers simultaneously? If I can, how do I connect the 2 receivers? Also, would one receiver be the main unit over the other?
Appreciate any help or response.
Gregg Ferriner
turningtimewatches@yahoo.com

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Too bad it's 3 pairs.
Dec 29, 2014 7:08AM PST

I think 4 pairs would have made it easier to connect to 2 channels. In theory here is how it's done; connect 2 speakers in series then connect them in parallel, in effect the 4 speakers will act as one. A more expensive method is to buy these volume control which give the amplifier a constant speaker impedance (sorry I don't have any names).

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audio receiver connection
Dec 29, 2014 9:38PM PST

Thanks for your reply. Originally I was going to purchase another receiver that could drive 3 pairs of speakers. Then I decided on new receiver for 2 pairs and an amp connected to the receiver to drive the 3rd pair.
Now, since I already have 2 very good receivers and could save some money, I was thinking that I could connect them together (1 to drive 2 pairs and have the CD player connected to it and the other receiver to drive the 3rd pair of speakers). All three rooms where the speakers are located have a volume control on the wall. I was hoping that the pre-out, main-in connections at the backs of the receivers would allow me to do this.

If not, I might just purchase an amp, that would connect to a receiver, to drive the 3rd pair of speakers.

gregg

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Here's the thing,
Dec 30, 2014 2:27AM PST

We connect speaker to the amplifier with matching impedance because it give us the best efficiency. Here..what you can try is to connect 3 speakers in series (NOT parallel) to each channels and see if you got enough power to drive those speakers.

Also maybe connect 2 pair as I prescribe in my other post and connect the other pair in series. It might work if you amplifier have a input balance adjustment. Have fun.