After searching Elan, and Niles speaker selectors, I don't see one that matches impendance automagically. This may not be necessary, but I am not understanding what I am getting with the impedance matching if I have to change a jumper in the back to match impedance.

What I want to do is run a 7.1 amp in my living room - using 5.1 and the B outputs to a selector for up to 4 rooms. Sometimes only one of the extra sets will be one, other times (rarely) all 4 sets - I can see 1-2 sets being the most common.

Since all of the recommended solutions require changing a hard-to-get-to knob or selector on the rear of the system to match the impedance to the varying number of speakers, I can't figure out how this will work for me.

Any help in selecting a 4 channel selector that will do what I am trying to do would be appreciated. I'm not opposed to reading, but haven't found a thread talking about this. If anyone can point me, I will be glad to go :D

If this idea doesn't work, I am considering something like this -
http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/htsisozoam.html

Anyone have any thoughts on this either?

You can just leave the impedance set for the maximum number of speakers. If you have less then the maximum on, the impedance to the amp will go up but that's no problem for the amp.

So, if I set the impedance for max and only have one set on, everything will be OK? I don't get how it works, but if that is right, and I don't have to keep changing the number of speaker settings then it sounds like this might work.

I'm still considering an amp version. Found quite a few, including a sherwood that is pretty cheap - great for testing the theory and getting everything set up.

you might want to take a look at this item:
www.atonhome.com
model # DLA4RKT

That's a pretty nice looking unit. I like the way you set the Amp impedance and the speaker impedance and it does the rest.

It says it's rated at 125W per channel, but that is one small chassis for 8 channels of 125W.

For the price, I picked up a RUSSOUND PR-4Z and AP-48 off ebay. This will get me set up for running at a great price. It's rated at 30W per channel, which should be plenty for garage, bedroom, kitchen, and patio.

Not much info out there on these, but Russound has a good rep so I thought I would give them a try.