It sounds like your receiver combines the A and B speakers with a serial
connection. If this is the case, neither the L-pad or autoformer will work
properly. You could purchase a separate speaker selector with impedance
protection, and connect it to the A outputs only. However, with only one
pair of extra speakers, you could replace the L-pad with an autoformer with
impedance mulitpliers, then combine your two pairs of speakers in parallel
at the A outputs. Your volume control would then be the switch for the
second pair, and the impedance could be set to maintain proper loading on
your amp.

"Hogarth" wrote in message
...
I've got a "home theater" receiver/amp with an A-B speaker switch. The
"A" speakers are in my listening room, the "B" speakers are on the patio
in the backyard. When I have them both switched on, the B speakers are
much louder than the A speakers. If I want to listen to music in the
house at a moderately loud level, my wife runs in from outside and tells
me to turn it down before the neighbors complain.

So I bought an L-pad for the B speakers, thinking that would enable me
to turn them down...

(Here's where it gets weird...)

When I turn down the L-pad, the B speakers go down in volume, BUT SO DO
THE A SPEAKERS!

I'm totally confused. Does this mean the A speakers and the B speakers
are connected in parallel or something?

Do I need to put an L-pad on the A speakers as well? Will that get them
working independently?

Further complication: This is a "home theater" amp, with separate
outputs for a subwoofer, center channel, and two rear channel speakers.
Will putting an L-pad in the A speakers (which also serve as the front
channel speakers for the home theater setup) screw up the balance of my
home theater system?

I thought I had a pretty good handle on all this stuff until today!

TIA for any help!

Chip