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Thiel speakers--can you power them with reciever?

Or do they really need a separate amp?

I am getting the bug to make a speaker change(for my front L/R speakers), and from what I read, it seems like a used set of Thiels may be up my alley in terms of sound characteristics.

But, looking at their rated specs, they are rated at 4 ohms, with a minimum of 3 ohms, and have fairly low sensitivity at 87Db.

I'm also looking at used Vandersteen, Eggleston, Merlin. It seems like most of these have similar ratings to the Thiels.

Any thoughts? I am currently running my 5.1 system off a 130wpc receiver, but I do have a 5 channel power amp I could use. The receiver is not known for having much output into 4 ohm loads.
mtrot
riley804
1,224 posts
 
Whether you choose the Theils or any one of the other speakers that you mentioned, they deserve better than what the receiver can do.

So, you might want to get the multi channel amp ready....
hifitime
715 posts
 
Your receiver might overheat causing the outputs to blow/short ,possibly passing a lot of voltage to the Theil's blowing them out.Power amps that can drive 4 ohm speakers would on my priority list.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
A good B&K or higher end Denon may be able to push them. Thiels will kill a cheaper yamaha or similar. Keep in mind that all Thiels are not equal. A pair of 1.5's will be easier to push than an older pair of 2 or 3's.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,613 posts
 
The Thiels will bring your receiver to its knees and make it cry for its mamma. You need a separate amplifier with sufficient testicular fortitude to drive the Thiels.
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