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I currently have a receiver that has a second Zone on it. I have have a set of speakers in the Kitchen and a set outside. The second zone has only has outputs for two speakers. For each set of speakers I have installed a volume control knob to turn the volume up or down for each location independently.

Since I do not know a lot about this stuff I have a few questions.

  • Would connecting both pairs to the same out on the receiver hurt my receiver?
  • If I decide to get a speaker selector, is there anything special about them that I need to know before I pick one?
  • If I get a speaker selector would I be able to output to both pairs simultaneously, or would it be one set at a time?
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My receiver also has a second zone, and I think the manual says not to make more than one connection to each terminal. Specifying the make and model of receiver would probably help; the manual probably has at least some safety information. I would guess that speakers trying to draw too much power from the amp could damage it, but I would also guess that most modern receivers have some kind of protection. I'm not an expert.

I don't know about speaker selectors, but I don't see how using that to output to both speakers simultaneously would be any more safe (if that is an issue) than connecting both to the receiver directly, since it's basically the same thing. People sometimes advise making sure volume is turned down etc. when switching on - so presumably if this is a realistic concern switching output would have the same issues.

Is the point to have 5.1 in both locations instead of using the second zone?

Note that it also depends on the type of speakers:

Connecting 4-ohm Speakers to an 8-ohm Receiver

How do I drive more than two speakers with one stereo amplifier?

I believe the "Best Solution" in the second link has it spot-on. You have to be careful with the rating of the speakers, especially if using the second outputs AND multiple speakers. But it might be possible - definitely check the manual thoroughly!

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Actually I am not looking for 5.1 in both (actually three, living room, kitchen, and outside) areas. The second zone on my receiver is stereo output only I believe, but I'll update with the model and all when I get back home. And stereo is all I am looking for from the second zone. I guess I am asking if there is a special speaker selector that I should use to protect the receiver since I am hooking to speakers to one output? – jschoen Feb 9 at 21:28
Sorry if I'm missing something, but the receiver should have separate outputs for the second zone, no? To connect a third set, sure, maybe you have to be concerned. But there might also be better options like if the receiver supports bi-amping, maybe it's possible to use the extra surrounds to power the third set of speakers? Or the pre-outs if the speakers/setup in the third room is appropriate? – Sam Brightman Feb 10 at 9:03
Ah, I see, you are only asking about the second zone outputs and connecting the second and third set to them. Still, consider pre-outs/spare surround outputs maybe. – Sam Brightman Feb 10 at 9:04
Thanks for the help. I am gonna go study the manual tonight to see what I can find. – jschoen Feb 10 at 15:02

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