RX-1052 Rec & use of B Speakers

[Club1820]

I have a Rotel RX-1052 Stereo Receiver that has both a Zone 2 out and connections for a second set of speakers "B". For ease of set-up, I was considering just using the "B" speaker connection instead of the Zone 2.

Is there any disadvantage "power" -wise to going this route? What happens to the stated 100 watts per channel when using the "B" speaker connection? Does the power get distributed evenly to all 4 channels, thus diminishing the stated output to the main channels?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Club1820]

No one knows the answer to this one? Not even Kevin?

:cry:

[hifiguymi]

There is a big difference between the "B" speaker outputs and the zone 2 output.

With the zone 2 it's a line level output only. You need a separate amplifier (like an RB-1050 for example) for it to work and it would give you separate control over what source you listen to and what volume you listen at. Zone 2 is like having an extra basic preamp in the receiver (the same goes for zone 3 and zone 4).

If you use the speaker "B" output, you don't have separate volume control of each pair of speakers if they are on at the same time unless you get a passive rheostat type volume control. That will diminish the sound quality quite a bit. As far as amplifier power goes, it doesn't really get divided up. If the two pair of speakers are different, they probably have different sensitivity ratings. When that happens, the more sensitive speaker will play louder. If they are in the same room, the system will play louder just because of more drivers and more surface area. If you have two pair of speakers playing at the same time, the impedance will drop so the power output will go up from the receiver. If they are different speakers, the impedances will be different and that will effect what speaker is using more of the available power.

I know this is a long winded post, but I hope it helps a little.

Eric

[Kevin D]

No one knows the answer to this one? Not even Kevin?

:cry:

Sorry, out of town for a bit. Eric summed it up pretty good.

Kevin D.