Stuck With Samsung?

[Zach Shaffer]

I just purchased the Samsung BD-1250 and was curious if I'm "stuck" with the stock speakers: due to lack of HDMI output.

I am looking to get the ONKYO HT-S7100 but how would I would I get the best possible audio from my system?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[SlmShdy1]

That Samsung does have a HDMI output, but it has nothing to do with what kind of speakers you can use. As far as the speakers go, you are pretty much stuck with them. It looks like the Samsung outputs at 3 ohms. Most speakers are 8 ohms. Using the wrong kind of speaker could damage your system.

I'd say you're better off returning that Samsung, buying the Onkyo HTiB and getting a stand alone Blu-ray player. The Onkyo will give you the option to add on different spakers down the road. Plus, the Onkyo will give you better sound quality.

[jruc03]

Originally Posted by Zach Shaffer

I just purchased the Samsung BD-1250 and was curious if I'm "stuck" with the stock speakers: due to lack of HDMI output.

I am looking to get the ONKYO HT-S7100 but how would I would I get the best possible audio from my system?

Any help would be much appreciated.

I know how you feel when I first started out I bought a samsung HTIB with HDMI output but then realized I wouldn't be able to upgrade speakers at all because the samsung unit couldn't support any others speakers do to the Ohms. You should start with a decent reciever and work your way up from there.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

It looks like the Samsung outputs at 3 ohms. Most speakers are 8 ohms. Using the wrong kind of speaker could damage your system.

Actually, this isn't completely true. Here's what we know:

The Samsung unit is built around a 3ohm load (and they're still using annoying proprietary speaker connectors).

Most home audio speakers are an 8ohm load.

If you want to connect standard, 8ohm speakers, you still have to use their dental-floss speaker wires (or at least the ends, splicing in the rest) because of the connectors. I'm surprised they're still doing this.

The 8ohm speakers will underdrive the amp. This won't hurt it, but it won't put out much volume. Take the output wattage that the amp is rated for @ 3ohm and chop it in half...you'll probably be getting less than that.

Now, if you had an amp rated for 8ohm and tried to connect 3ohm speakers to it, you'd be overdriving the amp. This is the scenario that would likely cause damage. The opposite is harmless, and pointless.

There are, however, a select few off-the-shelf home audio speakers rated @ 4ohm...those might work nicely with this system. The Scandyna that rigors has is the one that comes to mind. Check out his thread.

[xneox]

Seems to me that you could use this system as-is for now. It does have HDMI out, so as long as your future upgrades include a HDMI-capable a/v receiver, you should be able to continue using this as a stand-alone BD player.

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by xneox

Now, if you had an amp rated for 8ohm and tried to connect 3ohm speakers to it, you'd be overdriving the amp. This is the scenario that would likely cause damage. The opposite is harmless, and pointless.

Cool, thanks for the correction. I still don't know too much about ohm loads. I just assumed that the damage could occur both ways.

[xneox]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

Cool, thanks for the correction. I still don't know too much about ohm loads. I just assumed that the damage could occur both ways.

No problem. Here's a formulaic explanation:

I = V/R

I (current, or Amps) - this is what kills...you, or your amp
V (Voltage)
R (Resistance, or Ohms)

In the context of this discussion (speakers), voltage is variable. Let's pick 30VAC for argument's sake.

I = V/R, or 30V/8ohm = 3.75 Amps

So if we change the ohm rating of the speakers:

I = V/R, or 30V/3ohm = 10 Amps. We've effectively increased the current flow through the circuit by over 2.5 times. This is what will damage a circuit that's not made for it. More current = bad. Less current = not such a big deal...until:

watts (power) = voltage x current.

Let's say that amp was DESIGNED for stability @ a 3ohm load (like the Samsung)...so 30V x 10 Amps = 300 watts. Nice.

But, connect the 8ohm speakers - 30V x 3.75 Amps = 112.5 watts. Just about 1/3. Not great. Very clean, but not at all loud.

That's a bit over-simplified, but it works for this discussion.

[drobswim13]

^^

Very nice physics explanation. Simple, yet effective