Hi, Is it safe to connect 4 pairs of speakers (using this speaker selector I can get arroun the corner http://www.jobsitesystems.com/product_result.php?prodID=S-4&recordID=Four%20Zone&categoryID=Speaker%20Selectors&catcdID=&prdcdID=FG01121 ) to a Sony STR-DE597 6.1 Channels Receiver.?

Should I use the front speaker output from the receiver?

Thanks for the advice!
Regards

Niles is a reputable maker, and this switch should work for you.

The specs say it is for use with 4 ohm rated amplifiers. Your receiver is according to the specs on the Sony site, not rated into a 4 ohm load. The power specs are given as 100w/c into 8 ohms at 1kHz, and this suggests (sorry to say it) that it does not have a very robust amplifier section.

But it has a protection "button" for use with 8 ohm rated amps and combinations of 4 and 8 ohm speakers. Whether this works by adding a resistor in the circuit or by connecting some of the speakers in series, it should be OK. Volume will be reduced and you may not be able crank up the gain to max.

You would the switch to your L and R main terminals on your receiver, and then connect the L/R mains to the switch.

trekguy thanks for your answer.


Whether this works by adding a resistor in the circuit or by connecting some of the speakers in series, it should be OK


What do you mean by that? I mean, can I still connect all 4 pairs of speakers in the switch and the switch output to the front speakers on the receiver?

Thanks!

You connect the Niles switch (very nice, btw) to the front L and R on the receiver, then run the four pair of speakers out from the Niles. I have mine set up from the 'B' speaker outputs from my receiver, so if I want to listen to any of the four pair I have running out of the Niles, I switch the A/B selector to 'B' and select which pair(s) for different areas I want to listen to at the Niles switch.
I think that since it's 4 ohm compatible, an assumption is there would be no problem with 8 ohm receivers. The protection built in to the Niles box means you can run all four pair at the same time without trashing anything (would shut down before blowing anything) but at nowhere near full volume.

What do you mean by that? I mean, can I still connect all 4 pairs of speakers in the switch and the switch output to the front speakers on the receiver?

Thanks!
Sure, use one pair as your mains and the others as remotes. Take note of your speaker impedances and use the protection button per the manual.

If your reciever's protection circuits shut it off, try using a lower volume or driving one less pair of remotes.

Your receiver is designed to put out a specified amount of power into a certain load--in your case 8 ohms. If the load is less your receiver may overheat or fail to put out as much power. Usually with today's gear a protection circuit cuts off the amplifier until it cools down.

When multiple speakers are connected to an amplifier the load impedance seen by the amplifier changes. Ideally the total load through the switch should be arranged so that it is close to 8 ohms.

There are two ways to do that. A switch can combinations of serries and parallel connections or add resistors to the circuit. When speakers are connected in parallel the impedance decreases; in series it increases. There is an easy explanation of series/parallel connection and a calculator here (http://colomar.com/Shavano/speaker.html) orhere (http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm)

http://www.bcae1.com/images/gifs/impspksr.gif http://www.bcae1.com/images/gifs/impspkpr.gif
http://www.bcae1.com/images/gifs/spk4sp4.gif
Some switches add resistors in addition to using series/parallel combinations to to keep the impedance above a safe minimum. Resistors with high power ratings increase the cost.

Thank you for your advices. I'll let you know how it goes.
Regards