Speaker selector switches are the most common item bought from Amazon through this website (with over 1000 units sold). Therefore I thought it is high time to look a little deeper at the different speaker selectors and the features available. I also present a table (or 3) outlining the models, features and price of what is available through Amazon.
The main reason speaker selectors are used is to distribute sound to multiple speakers while protecting the amplifier from too much load (due to too many speakers).
Please note, speaker selector switches are designed for multi-room installs in a home or small low power installs (like an office or cafe). They are generally suited for low power (under 100 watts) amplifiers. They should be not be considered in a commercial install or for use with high output power amplifiers.
For a more detailed explanation of the issues regarding speaker load and impedance, see my article on connecting multiple speakers to your HiFi. For an explanation on using the various type of speaker selectors and how to wire them, see my article on wiring 4 speakers.
For a good overview on speaker impedance and how speaker selector switches help overcome the issues, watch the video (particularly the 2nd half) in Understanding Speaker Impedance.
Protecting the Amplifier with a Speaker Selector
A speaker selector switch should ensure the total impedance of all the connected speakers is not below the minimum load impedance the amplifier is designed to drive – typically 4-16 ohms for HiFi amplifiers. There are three main technologies employed by manufacturers of speaker selectors to protect the amplifier from overloading due to a low load impedance:
1) Series-Parallel: Used mostly on 2 zone and 4 zone speaker selectors. On a 2 zone speaker selector using this method the speakers are connected in series when zone A and B are selected. If only either zone is connected, then just that zone is connected directly. For example: If using two 4 ohm speakers, selecting either zone will present just that speaker (4 ohm) as the total load to the amplifier. If both zones are selected, the speakers will be connected in series (4 + 4 = 8 ohms total load). On a 4 zone speaker switch using this method, zones C and D are also connected in a similar fashion. So zones A and B are connected in series when both are selected, and zones C and D are connected in series when both are selected. Then zones A and B, and zones C and D are connected in parallel with each other when all four are selected. A four zone speaker switch using series-parallel connections for impedance protection should not be used with 4 ohm or 6 ohm speakers, as the total load can be as low as 2 ohms – too low for most domestic amplifiers.
Below is a table showing the total impedance for the various combinations of selected zones when using a 4 zone speaker selector switch employing series-parallel impedance protection with 4 ohm, 6 ohm or 8 ohm speakers.
| Zones Selected | Total Impedance with 4 ohm speakers | Total Impedance with 6 ohm speakers | Total Impedance with 8 ohm speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| A or B or C or D | 4 ohms | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
| A + B or C + D | 4 + 4 = 8 ohms | 6 + 6 = 12 ohms | 8 + 8 = 16 ohms |
| A+C or A+D or B+C or B+D | 4 // 4 = 2 ohms | 6 // 6 = 3 ohms | 8 // 8 = 4 ohms |
| A+B+C or A+B+D or A+C+D or B+C+D | 8 // 4 = 2.6 ohms | 6 // 3 = 2 ohms | 6 // 8 = 5.3 ohms |
| A + B + C + D | 8 // 8 = 4 ohms | 6 // 6 = 3 ohms | 16 // 16 = 8 ohms |
As seen in this table, using a 4 zone speaker selector switch employing the series-parallel method of impedance protection is not good for 4 ohm or 6 ohm speakers, these types should only be used with 8 ohm speakers.
2) Series Resistor: this is used on lower cost speaker selector switches. It normally means there is a resistor (3-6 ohms) wired in series with the speakers. This gives the total circuit a minimum resistance which will protect the amplifier. However, this resistor gets hot at higher volume levels. That is why most speaker selectors using a series resistor for impedance “matching” have air vents in the chassis. Obviously there is some energy lost in these resistors as they produce the heat. Most speaker selector switches employing a series resistor have a “protection” or “impedance protection” switch. This switches the series resistor in and out of the circuit.
When you are using more than one set of speakers at the same time, the “protection” switch should be activated. When only one set of speakers are being used, or you are using impedance matching volume controls, the series resistor can be switched out to allow “direct connection” with no losses.
3) Impedance Matching Transformer: this is used on higher power and higher cost speaker selector switches. An impedance matching transformer inside the speaker selector multiples the impedance of each speaker which effectively keeps the total impedance around the same as any of the individual speakers (providing the speakers are the same impedance as each other). For example: a 4 zone speaker selector with an impedance matching transformer would multiple each of the 8 ohm speakers by four (making them appear as 32 ohms), and 4 lots of 32 ohm speakers in parallel makes a total impedance of 8 ohms. As one of the speaker selector promo says, they “maintain a safe operating load at the amplifier while distributing maximum power throughout your system“. There normally is not by-pass switch on a speaker selector with impedance matching transformers.
Some very budget speaker selector switches have no or minimal impedance protection what-so-ever. They are just a switch turning each speaker on or off. These are not recommended.
For a better understanding of how the different types of speaker selector switches work, see my Speaker Selector Switch Simulators. These show how each type helps with impedance, as well as how they distribute power to each speaker.
The Ins and Outs of a Speaker Selector
A speaker selector is normally known by how many pairs (left and right) of speakers can be connected to it. Each pair of speakers is normally in a different room, or zone. Hence, a speaker selector might be a 4 zone, or a 6 zone speaker switch. Sometimes they are also referred to as 4 way or 6 way. This means they are capable of connecting 4 pairs or 6 pairs of speakers respectively. Be aware some manufacturers also confusingly use the word “channels” for the number of output pairs their speaker switch can connect to.
Some speaker selector switches connect to one stereo amplifier, allowing the speaker selector to connect the one amplifier to each speaker connected to it. This allows the same program (music etc) to be heard in every zone or room.
Other speaker selectors allow two different amplifiers to be connected to them. Then for each zone, you can select amplifier A or amplifier B. These speaker switches are marketed as having A/B inputs. Using two amplifiers with different programs allows each zone to select between the two programs available.
Other Features
Other features often promoted for a speaker selector are:
Volume Controls: These allow the volume of each zone to be separately controlled at the unit.
Power Handling: This states the maximum power (RMS) per channel of the amplifier that should be used with the selector.
Labels: Some manufactures supply pre-printed labels that make your installation look professional.
Speaker Selector Types
There are 4 basic types of speaker selector switches:
- Simple Speaker Selector Switches: these simply switch between 2 or more sets of speakers
- Speaker Selector Switch with volume control: As well as switching between 2 or more zones, they have separate volume control for each zone
- Speaker Selector Switch with A/B amplifier input selection
- Speaker Selector Switch with volume controls and A/B selection
How Many Zones?
Speaker selector switches are also categorized by how many zones (or channels of speakers) they can switch.
- 2 way selectors with impedance protection are useful when the speakers are only 4 ohms, as two sets of 4 ohm speakers is too much load for most amplifiers
- 4 way selectors are the most popular. These can be used for 2, 3 or 4 zones
- 5 way, 6 way, 8 way or 10 way speaker selector switches can be used to wire many speakers. With this many speakers, impedance protection is very important
The following tables list most of speaker selector switches available through Amazon. I’ve added as much helpful information as possible including:
- the supplier/seller
- the model number and/or description of the product
- the maximum RMS power (watts) the unit can handle from each channel of the amplifier(s) connected to the selector switch.
- the price of each product bought from Amazon (in US$)
- a description of the impedance protection method used, warnings and features
- a link to download the manual, if I’ve been able to locate one (I like to read the manual before I purchase a product)
- a link to each item on Amazon – click on each picture to go to that item on Amazon for further information. If your locality Amazon store doesn’t stock the exact item, the link will take you to a list of similar items which they do stock. Disclosure: If you buy through the Amazon links Geoff receives a small commission from each sale.
Summary of 2 way Speaker Selector Purchases
| Item | Watts per Ch. | Price in US$ | Comments | Image (click to view at Amazon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monoprice 8231 2 channel A/B speaker selector with volume | 50 | $79.99 | Designed to use 8 ohm speakers Monoprice Speaker Selector Manual (with volume) 3417 Downloads |  |
| YIS 2 pair speaker selector switch | 100 | $21.99 | Connects both zones in series |  |
| Audioflow 2 Way Smart Speaker Switch | 300 | 199.00 | Connects both zones in series Designed for use with smart phones |  |
| Keen-Eye A/b a B A+b Stereo speaker switcher combiner | 10 | $16.50 | Switch only – no impedance protection Use 8 ohm speakers only |  |
| Adwits 2-Channel Speaker Switcher Selector Box | 150 | $29.99 | No information on speaker protection |  |
| Tenealay 2-Way Stereo Speaker selector | 80 | $19.99 | Switch only – no impedance protection Use 8 ohm speakers only |  |
Summary of 4 way Speaker Selector Purchases
| Item | Watts per Ch. | Price in US$ | Comments | Image (click to view at Amazon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Speaker Selector Switches | ||||
| Monoprice 4 channel Speaker selector | 70 | $31.21 | Uses 5 ohm Series Resistor Monoprice 9995 Manual 2944 Downloads |  |
| Pyle PSS4 4 Channel Switch | 100 | $44.99 | Uses Series Resistor Pyle PSS Manual 3408 Downloads |  |
| Monoprice SS-4 Premium 4 Channel Speaker Selector | 100 | $49.99 | Uses 4 ohm Series Resistor |  |
| Niles SS-4 Speaker selector | 100 | $99.95 | Uses 2.5 ohm Series Resistor 72 Labels supplied Niles SS speaker selector Manual 2424 Downloads |  |
| OSD Audio 4 Zone Speaker selector – ISS4 | 70 | $58.84 | Uses Series Resistor OSD ISS Speaker Selector Manual 2399 Downloads |  |
| Audioflow 4 Way Smart Speaker Switch | 300 | $269 | Uses series/parallel switching Use only 8 ohm speakers Designed for use with smart phones |  |
| Speaker Selector Switches with Volume Controls | ||||
| Monoprice SSVC-4 4 Channel with Volume Control | 100 | $99.99 | Uses 3 ohm series resistor |  |
| OSD Audio 4x Speaker selector with Volume – RSVC4 | 80 | $129.46 | Uses Series Resistor |  |
| Pyle PSPVC4 4 Zone with volume control | 100 | $150.99 | Minimal impedance protection Use with 8 Ohm speakers Pyle PSPVC Speaker Selector Manual 3022 Downloads |  |
| Niles SSVC-4 4 Channel with volume control | 100 | 204.35 | Uses Impedance Matching Transformer Includes 72 labels Niles SSVC Manual 4715 Downloads |  |
| Speaker Selector Switches with A/B Inputs and Volume Controls | ||||
| Monoprice 4 Channel A/B with Volume | 100 | $129.99 | Designed for 8 ohm speakers |  |
| Pyle PSLSW4 4 Channel Selector A/B amplifier | 100 | $146.99 | Minimal Impedance Protection Designed for 8 ohm speakers |  |
Summary of 5+ way Speaker Selector Purchases
| Item | Watts per Ch. | Avg. Price | % Sold | Comments | Image (click to view at Amazon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Speaker Selector Switches | |||||
| Pyle PSS6 6 Channel Switch | 100 | $39.29 | 27% | Uses Series Resistor Pyle PSS Manual 3408 Downloads |   |
| Pyle PSS8 8 Channel Switch | 100 | $47.70 | 16% | Uses Series Resistor Pyle PSS8 Speaker Selector Manual 2075 Downloads |   |
| Dayton Audio SS6 Speaker Switch | 70 | $47.72 | 2% | Uses 5 ohm Series Resistor | Currently not available |
| Sima SSW-6 6 zone selector | 50 | $4124 | 2% | Uses Series Resistor. Includes lables Sima SSW Speaker Selector Manual 2453 Downloads |   |
| Speaker Selector Switches with Volume Controls | |||||
| Niles SSVC-6 6 Channel with Volume | 100 | $239.00 | 16% | Uses Impedance Matching Transformer. Includes 72 labels Niles SSVC Manual 4715 Downloads |   |
| Theater Solutions TS6DV 6 Zone with volume control | 300 | $120.99 | 2% | Has 2 inputs but only able to select one input at a time. No individual input switch for each zone. |   |
| Speaker Selector Switches with A/B inputs and Volume Controls | |||||
| Specialty AV 2 x 5 Zone with A/B & Volume | 100 | $209.95 | 9% | Uses high power impedance matching transformer |   |
| Monoprice 108230 Speaker Switch | 100 | $37.58 | 9% | Uses Series Resistor |   |
| Specialty AV 2 x 6 Zone with A/B & Volume | 300 | $159.95 | 5% | Uses heavy duty impedance matching transformer |   |
| Pyle PSPVC6 6 Channel Speaker Selector | 50 | $153.99 | 5% | No Information on impedance protection Pyle PSPVC Speaker Selector Manual 3022 Downloads |   |
| Specialty AV 10 Zone/pair with A/B & volume | 500 | $259.95 | 2% | Uses heavy duty impedance matching transformer |   |
| Theater Solutions TS6DV Dual Source selector | 300 | $122.72 | 2% | No Information on impedance protection Labels Included | |
Use the above summary information as a guide only. There are also many other models of speaker selector switches available. Additionally, Geoff has written a review of the Audioflow series of switches which are controllable through your smartphone or Alexa.
If you have an install you need further advice on, please read the FAQs before submitting your question. Alternatively, you may find a similar install in the comments below.
