Rmb-1048

[BruinsFan]

I have 4 sets of speakers around the house (3 klipsch pairs, on infinity outdoor). What are the pros/cons to using the RMB-1048 versus a good speaker selector (impendance matching/protection) and good two channel amp (ie RB-1070)


Thanks, as always.

PS. Got my 1070 to go with the 1056 - woohoo!! hooked it up last night but didn't get a chance to play.

[DrJRapp]

I think you already know my position on this one, but let me add some technical detail. This is a highly simplified explanation.The problem with most impedance matching devices is that they tend to radically reduce amplifier damping, sometimes to nothing. Damping is an amps ability to maintain control of a speaker's movement. Reduced damping will result in reduced sound clarity from higher harmonic distortion. An amplifier's ability to contol a signal is expressed as a number we call damping factor. So, depending on the damping factor of the amp and the amount that the particular device reduces damping there can be a degradation of sound clarity and quality.

[BruinsFan]

your summation is kind of what i had pieced together from talking with other folks. The general thought is that if I run just the indoor Klipsch - I probably don't even need the imdedance protection, but even if it was on - there shouldn't be a huge degredation. If I run the outdoor infinity - by themself - same idea. If I want to run them all - then I will have to live with some level of degredation.

Since the only time I'd run them all - would be if I had people over or something - clarity wouldn't be a huge concern anyways.

So I opted for the 1070 with the speaker selector. There may be some sound quality difference but I think it'll be minimal for the application and the 1070 I think is a better investment for other use down the line.

It's running and the speakers sound good. Especially the in-ceiling Klipsch. The overall sound is alot better then I was expecting. I've heard other ceiling mount speakers - and these blow them away.