Speaker Ohms

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 22, 2015 | 11:10 AM

00fxd

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,225

Likes: 44

From: Penticton B.C. Canada

Speaker Ohms

Hello all, Opinion please. I am waiting for 2 speakers to be returned on warranty. Would it be acceptable to use a couple of cheep 6 or 8 ohm bookshelf speakers temporarily? My system is a Retrosound H/U and 2 Memphis audio 300watt mini amps, one 4 channel amp for front/rear and a separate amp for sub. Speakers are 4 ohm system. Could damage result?
Thanks, Frank

May 22, 2015 | 11:44 AM

markcz

Tech Contributor

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 7,035

Likes: 134

From: North Augusta, SC

You should be fine using a higher ohm speaker than normal, it just won't be as loud.

If normal is 4ohms, and you have two 8ohm speakers available, connect them in parallel for a 4ohm load.

May 22, 2015 | 12:21 PM

00fxd

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,225

Likes: 44

From: Penticton B.C. Canada

Thanks Mark. Will 2 8ohm speakers [per channel?] be safer in some way? How about 1 6ohm speaker connected to each channel? I can wait if there is any chance of damaging the system.

May 26, 2015 | 05:48 PM

WAwatchnut

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 4,295

Likes: 8

From: Issaquah WA

2-8 ohm speakers per channel won't technically be any safer. As long as you're not pushing the system too hard, trying to get more output, the amp won't care if it's seeing 4 or 8 ohms (it just won't play at the same volume)

Which speakers are you temporarily replacing?

May 26, 2015 | 07:27 PM

00fxd

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,225

Likes: 44

From: Penticton B.C. Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAwatchnut

Thanks WA. The rears. I contacted the manufacturer. The tech said that it would be better to have 'higher impedence' speakers hooked up while I wait than the wires just hangin' . I think he said something about the amp over heating even tho I have the rears faded out. He said the even tho the fader is faded just to the fronts there is power going to the leads. Plus you DON'T want the wires to touch said he. So I have a couple bookshelf 6 ohm speakers to my rears for now .

May 27, 2015 | 03:06 AM

WAwatchnut

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 4,295

Likes: 8

From: Issaquah WA

yeah - definitely better to have something hooked up temporarily- I'm sure you would have taped off the bare wire ends, so they couldn't make contact, but techs always have to worry about that.

Hope you get your regular speakers back quickly.

May 27, 2015 | 11:12 AM

00fxd

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 2,225

Likes: 44

From: Penticton B.C. Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAwatchnut

Thanks WA.

Jun 4, 2015 | 11:58 AM

scott_fx

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 5,572

Likes: 4

From: Los Angeles Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAwatchnut

(it just won't play at the same volume)
?

not necessarily. you aren't factoring in the speakers sensitivity. I'm running 8 ohm drivers in my car and there just as loud as a lot of 4 ohm drivers.

regardless.. it's only temporary so he'll be safe