Do my KEF C85s need a better amp/receiver?

Hey hope this can be an easy answer!
My new to me KEF C85s (one pair only) 4 ohm impedance, are driven by my early 1990 Yamaha RX 500U, 50 w/chan, 8 ohms, 6-8 ohms printed on back by the speaker wire terminals. Only using the one pair of speakers, 18g speaker wire, longest run to a speaker is about 12’.

Am I either damaging the speaker with not enough current, or are the speakers demanding too much current than the receiver can deliver?

I live in an apt with neighbors next door and above, so I cannot listen at “party” levels of volume.
Comments? Thoughts?
Thanks,
-Robin

April 15, 2022 - 5:35am

MattJ

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Last seen: 11 months 2 weeks ago

Joined: Mar 22 2022 - 2:44pm

I'm not sure exactly if there

I'm not sure exactly if there is a problem. Is the Yamaha running hot or shutting down? Do the KEFs sound bass deficient or distorted? If not, then I wouldn't think there is a problem. If anything, I would advise going with larger gauge speaker wire, around 12ga. Otherwise, enjoy.

April 15, 2022 - 6:53am

Surfergirl77

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Last seen: 8 months 2 weeks ago

Joined: Apr 11 2022 - 6:28am

oh, sorry, no. no problems. i

oh, sorry, no. no problems. i rarely have the time to listen to one side of an LP, so i wld not notice overheating. But i will watch for that…..
it was only i was using an old Realistic receiver, with the KEFs(!), 16w/ch. thinking I had a prob with the Yamaha. Turned out to be a loose connection on my cartridge.
Anyway, started using the Yamaha with the new KEFs and heard little horns and guitar plinks typical of Zappa that I did not hear before!
Anyway, I am happy with how everything sounds. I did find 12g wire for $30 which I think I will change to. Thanks for your suggestion.
-Robin

April 15, 2022 - 7:14am

MattJ

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Last seen: 11 months 2 weeks ago

Joined: Mar 22 2022 - 2:44pm

I forgot to mention, when

I forgot to mention, when looking for wire, look for Oxygen Free Copper (OFC). A lot of cheap speaker wire is Copper/Aluminum or Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA). Aluminum is not as good of a conductor as copper.

April 15, 2022 - 9:22am

Surfergirl77

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Last seen: 8 months 2 weeks ago

Joined: Apr 11 2022 - 6:28am

Thank you! I did find 12g

Thank you! I did find 12g solid copper wire! Thanks for the warning about CCA, i would have made that mistske.
Robin

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