Powernode (N330) speaker switching

Answered

Alastair Hughes

• December 09, 2023 23:53

Hi, I have 2 pairs of 6 ohm speakers that I want to drive from my POWERNODE. Either A or B or A+B. What is the best speaker switching arrangement that will not compromise the performance of the POWERNODE. Parallel, series? Thank you in advance, Alastair

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• Official comment

  

  Bjørn Ulvik

  Hi-Res

  • December 10, 2023 12:35

  Speakers in parallel wil bring the impedance down to 3 ohm. Your player is rated minimum 4 ohm, so not really recommended.
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  Alastair Hughes

  • December 11, 2023 13:28

  Thanks Bjorn. So do you think the performance will be better in series - with the total impedance being a maximum of 12 ohms?

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• 

  Bjørn Ulvik

  Hi-Res

  • December 11, 2023 13:46

  ...higher impedance means "easier" load for the amplifier....that will give you less output power.....less power means you will have to raise the volume....and clipping can occur....so not really recommended.

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  Alastair Hughes

  • December 11, 2023 15:03

  Thanks Again Bjorn.

  So I want to drive 2 pairs of 6 ohm speakers (singly or together) from my Powernode (N330) which has a low impedance rating of 4 ohms.  I don't want to change my speakers or Powernode - so I need to figure out the best switching arrangement.

  Option 1: parallel switch.  Highest net impedance of 6 ohm. Lowest net impedance of 3 ohm.  This would put higher current load on the amplifier, and it is rated down to 4 ohms as you say.

  Option 2: series switch.  Highest net impedance 12 ohm. Lowest net impedance 6 ohm.   Yes I would need to raise the volume but the speakers are rated to operate from 4-6 ohm in normal operation which would reduce the volume increase / risk of clipping.  I am not planning using the speakers at very high output volumes.

  Option 3: a transformer switch such as the QED SS50 (a 5 way switch). This is more expensive but has a "main" direct speaker output with the ability to add up to 4 additional pairs of speaker which have impedance regulated by a transformer.  From the spec, I think the transformer regulation is set at 4 times the speaker impedance for any additional speakers.  The spec is not fully clear though.  However, if I am correct, my crude maths would translate the net load on the amplifier to 3.75 ohms for 2 pairs of speakers wired using this arrangement.  Although it is more expensive.

  What would you do?

  Thanks again in advance for your consideration.

  Alastair

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• 

  Tony W.

  Product Support Manager

  • December 15, 2023 14:39

  So I want to drive 2 pairs of 6 ohm speakers (singly or together) from my Powernode (N330) 

  Don't. Consider a second POWERNODE or maybe a POWERNODE EDGE for your second room. A second option may be the NAD C389 with a BluOS MDC from our good friends down the hall at NAD Electronics. the NAD C389 has two sets of binding posts allowing for two pairs of speakers.

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