LSi25's and Onkyo 605

[Rike255]

Someone I know owns this combination. He says it doesn't sound very good, the sound is "distorted".
Now I know that the LSi25's are 4ohm rated speakers and the Onnkyo 605 is not 4ohm certified. Is this a major problem? Can he damage his equipment by doing this?
I'm guessing the sound issue is because the 605 isn't powerful enough to drive those speakers.

Thanks for the help.

[Gaara]

Tell him its going to burn his house down. If you don't believe that then use the search function.

[AndyGwis]

The person sounds a little mis-informed to be using $2500 retail speakers with that amp.

Tell him to sell the speakers or get a better amp. He's putting Diesel in a sedan that requires premium unleaded. . .

[Rike255]

That's what I told him. I said he should stop using them right now until he gets an amp (and as it turns out, a pre-processor since 605 has no pre-outs).
He actually wasn't going to buy those speakers but someone gave him an "amazing deal". Don't know what it was, but he decided to get them instead.
Then when he told me they were hooked up to a 605 I figured that was the problem.

[jaysonbarnett]

a panasonic theater in a box receiver should work perfectly lol. what about the 805 like you have rike

[Gaara]

a panasonic theater in a box receiver should work perfectly lol.

It's funny because its true. The newer digital panasonic receivers work quite well with 4ohm loads, and for a while they did include them in their HTIB systems.

[izafar]

+1 on comments that a separate amp is needed to make the best out of LSi25s. But I disagree with the comment that you will get distorted sound. I am running LSi15 with 605 for 6 months now and have never heard any distorted sound. I think Lsi25 would be an easier load as they have active sub woofer.

[McLoki]

If he purchased the 25's used (for an amazing deal) maybe one or both of the tweeters are blown....

I would expect bass to be sloppy and perhaps distort at moderately high levels, but they should still sound like LSi's at normal volumes (his AVR is probably running hot as hell though).

If they sound distorted at most volumes - I am guessing at a speaker issue.

Michael