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I have a Denon AVR x3600 and just worked out that despite having 11 speaker connectors it only drives 9 at any point and having just bought some more SH surround speakers it would be fun to use them all.
I understand I need a 'power amp' to connect to the pre-out, but could I use my outgoing Yamaha AVR amp instead ?
Dunno, but where do these 11 speakers go?
I can think of how a 7-speaker system would work out, but I can’t think where the extra pair might fit in. Eleven speakers might mean a dedicated large stereo pair for ‘audiophile’ listening. Then there’s a sub output. Hmmm, just had a thought…
A 9-speaker system could be front-centre, front-right, front-left, right-centre, left-centre, rear-right, rear-centre, rear-left, sub.
That’s usually how proper cinema system are laid out, IIRC,
The two pre outputs will be line level, so you could connect them to your other amp as if they were any other line inputs. Or use a pair of active speakers!
could I use my outgoing Yamaha AVR amp instead
yes. As @benos suggests, just connect the line level ‘extra’ 2 speaker out put to that amp’s aux, or other line level, input and the speakers to the amp.
I think I have the same Denon amp.
Not sure why you’d want 11 speakers connected aside from it being possible. Taking mine from 4.1 to 5.1 made a difference that was noticeable but not sure it was really better despite getting a fairly good center speaker. From 5.1 to 7.1 made some difference to surround-iness. From 7.1 to atmos made barely any difference at all.
I think you can also connect a second subwoofer. Planning on that step? I fear my Victorian house walls would suffer if I connected a second. The Audessey calibration makes me turn the sub volume down to about 25%. But I ease it up a bit for extra rumble at times.
Edit. Just looked at the manual. 11 speakers gives a second pair of ceiling or height speakers, driven by a separate power amp. Be interesting to hear how it goes.
Edit edit
Eleven speakers might mean a dedicated large stereo pair for ‘audiophile’ listening.
@countzero the Denon claims to do ‘audiophile’-ness by using its ‘pure’ or ‘pure direct’ settings to power only the main stereo pair, and optionally the sub, while bypassing the AV processing voodoo and display. The latter I think is to avoid the blue/green glow rather than some sort of EMF interference gibberish.
Yes, I have added 4 height speakers to the corners of the room (I wanted 2 but picked up 5 used B&W M1s for £150) hence playing with more than I should need. The hright speakers are in addition to the 7.1 setup I previously had.
I had been using some old bookshelf speakers for stereo listening in another room (using the zone 2).
I will be selling off the older home cinema speakers eventually 🙄
What a shame Ambisonics never took off commercially.
@prettygreenparrot once nice thing about dual subs is that you can get more even bass in the room, particularly if you can't place the sub perfectly due to fixtures, fittings or furniture. With two sources you're less likely to experence peaks and nulls as the long low-frequency sound waves interfere.
Not sure why you’d want 11 speakers connected aside from it being possible. Taking mine from 4.1 to 5.1 made a difference that was noticeable but not sure it was really better despite getting a fairly good center speaker. From 5.1 to 7.1 made some difference to surround-iness. From 7.1 to atmos made barely any difference at all.
Well, it was just to see what it sounded like 🙄
Effectively a 7.1 setup with 4 Atmos speakers? TBH I don't really know what I am doing.
Where do you get content from that actually has more than a 5.1 soundtrack. BBC don't even give 5.1 on iPlayer (though quite a few programmes do if you record from Freesat or Freeview). Most content on the Prime/Apple TV/Netflix seems to be multichannel but is any more than 5.1?
Are you paying the extra for UHD streaming or buying blu-ray discs (or is it for gaming?)
Mainly Disney+ or Netflix or Ultra blu-ray. All do Dolby Atmos signals.
Haven't managed to get it to work yet will try again this evening.
It just seeing whether it's possible rather than because I have to
It is possible !
Got the front L & R powered via my old Yamaha RX1500 Receiver (stand mount & wall mounted speakers using the A B function) it's sounding good in stereo listening to tunes and Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 watching films.
Not sure whether I will leave it like this or try the other option of using the pre-outs for the height speakers.
How I imagine Binman settling down to watch frozen tonight.
Star Wars 😁
If I knew how to post a picture l would.
I have sat through Frozen too many times already 🙄