Will the AVR-X1700H damage the A4.2?

No. The AVR-X1700H is rated for the A4.2's 6 Ω load as it comes.

What impedance setting should I use for the A4.2 on the AVR-X1700H?

None: the A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the AVR-X1700H needs no change for it.

Is the AVR-X1700H powerful enough for the A4.2?

Comfortable. From a seat 2 m away, loud 95 dB movie peaks take about 41 W per speaker, and the AVR-X1700H is rated 80 W per channel. Cinema reference level, 105 dB peaks, takes about 401 W.

Does the ELAC A4.2 work with the Denon AVR-X1700H?

Verdict

Yes

The A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the AVR-X1700H is rated for speakers down to 4 Ω, so it drives them as is.

Speaker load

6 Ω speaker, rated down to 4 Ω

Power

80 W

Comfortable. About 41 W gives 95 dB peaks at 2 m

Height decoding

Yes

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

How to connect them

Connect the A4.2 speakers to the AVR-X1700H's height terminals with speaker wire.
In the AVR-X1700H's speaker setup, set speaker impedance to 6 Ω.
Run Audyssey MultEQ XT with its microphone at your seat.

Plan the A4.2 and AVR-X1700H in your own room.

Draw your room in 3D, place both, and see every connection checked and how loud they play at your seat. Designing is free.

Build it in your room

The specs that decide it

ELAC A4.2

Impedance: 6 Ω
Sensitivity: 85 dB (2.83 V, 1 m)
Recommended amplifier power: 20–80 W
MSRP: $399 a pair (MSRP, September 2026)

All A4.2 specs and pairings

Denon AVR-X1700H

Amplifier channels: 7
Height formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Lowest speaker impedance: 4 Ω
MSRP: $649 each (MSRP, September 2026)

All AVR-X1700H specs and pairings

Questions about the A4.2 and AVR-X1700H

Does the A4.2 work with the AVR-X1700H?: Yes. The A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the AVR-X1700H is rated for speakers down to 4 Ω, so it drives them as is.
Will the AVR-X1700H damage the A4.2?: No. The AVR-X1700H is rated for the A4.2's 6 Ω load as it comes.
What impedance setting should I use for the A4.2 on the AVR-X1700H?: None: the A4.2 is 6 Ω, and the AVR-X1700H needs no change for it.
Is the AVR-X1700H powerful enough for the A4.2?: Comfortable. From a seat 2 m away, loud 95 dB movie peaks take about 41 W per speaker, and the AVR-X1700H is rated 80 W per channel. Cinema reference level, 105 dB peaks, takes about 401 W.

Swap one of them

ELAC A4.2 + Denon AVR-S670HNot recommended
ELAC A4.2 + Monoprice M7100XWorks
ELAC DB53 + Denon AVR-X1700HWorks
ELAC B6.2 + Denon AVR-X1700HWorks

References

Specs verified against the manufacturer's published data. Last checked September 15, 2026.

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