Mixing 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers

[blueforte]

I just purchased Yamaha RX-V663BL. I have my old yamaha 5.1 speakers which are rated 6 ohms. I was thinking of getting some new speakers just for the fronts and center. The ones I am loking at are all rated 8 ohms. Will there be a problem if I connect a 8 ohm center and 6 ohm fronts. Please I need some advice. Thanks.

[JohnGalt]

The mismatch shouldn't be a problem and isn't entirely uncommon. I'm running 4 Ohm mains with a 6 Ohm center and 6 Ohm surrounds through at Yamaha receiver.

[nycomet]

This imbalance might cause a blow out. Be careful. I lost a tweeter on my left front Bose recently, but that was because I played ID4 too loud when the alien screamed (the dissection scene).

[JJ]

It's not recommended. Comet is right, you could have a blow out. The last thing you want is blown speakers - always try to match resistance ratings.

[olds403]

It will not be a problem, I have mixed 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers with my yamaha receiver(rx-v2095) before. Most receivers are rated for 6 ohms anyways so it really should not be a problem. 4 ohm or less speakers(depending on the receiver) might present a problem but 6 ohm should not. If it did cause a problem it would most likely overload the amp and put the receiver into protection mode - not damage the speaker. Low resistance speakers are harder on amps(draw more power) and can cause heat problems, it won't hurt the speaker.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by nycomet

This imbalance might cause a blow out. Be careful. I lost a tweeter on my left front Bose recently, but that was because I played ID4 too loud when the alien screamed (the dissection scene).

Ipmedence imbalance won't do that. Sounds to me like your amp started clipping, causing the tweeter to blow.

Look on the bright side: now you have the perfect excuse to replace your Bose speakers with something better... :-) GRND

[Grand Bob]

Mixing 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers is not a problem. What is more likely a problem is underpowered amps, or the frequencies at which low impedances occur. For example, Infinity Kappa 9 speakers are a notorious problem for amps at low frequencies because impedance can drop as low as 0.5 ohm below 30 Hz. The majority of your amp power is usually input into bass frequencies. If this remains a problem, you should either get a more powerful amp, or an external crossover network to let your main and surround speakers to handle mid and high freqs and allow your sub to handle the lows.

[Silo5]

I was wondering this also, because Aperion 5T tower speakers are rated 8 ohms and the recommended 5C center is 6 ohms.

[pumbaa071]

im running b&w dm602s2 6ohm l,c,r and 8ohm rears off an onkyo receiver and have had no problems for almost a year.

[Alaskankaijudude]

Originally Posted by olds403

It will not be a problem, I have mixed 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers with my yamaha receiver(rx-v2095) before. Most receivers are rated for 6 ohms anyways so it really should not be a problem. 4 ohm or less speakers(depending on the receiver) might present a problem but 6 ohm should not. If it did cause a problem it would most likely overload the amp and put the receiver into protection mode - not damage the speaker. Low resistance speakers are harder on amps(draw more power) and can cause heat problems, it won't hurt the speaker.

So...My HT 5.1 setup are 6 ohms. I have two separate speakers hooked up that I use when listening to music, those are 8 ohms. Should my receiver be set at 6 ohms or 8 ohms?

Thanx.

[hagar852]

Originally Posted by Alaskankaijudude

So...My HT 5.1 setup are 6 ohms. I have two separate speakers hooked up that I use when listening to music, those are 8 ohms. Should my receiver be set at 6 ohms or 8 ohms?

Thanx.

It should be set to 6ohms..

[David Craig]

I had an 8 ohm center and 6 ohm fronts and 6 ohm rears for many years using a Yamaha receiver. Absolutely no problem. Just check the Yamaha manual. I think there is a 6 ohm versus 8 ohm switch somewhere on the receiver. It should be documented. It will explain what to do.

Also the sound with this mixture was fine. Exceptional acutally.

[Alaskankaijudude]

Originally Posted by David Craig

I had an 8 ohm center and 6 ohm fronts and 6 ohm rears for many years using a Yamaha receiver. Absolutely no problem. Just check the Yamaha manual. I think there is a 6 ohm versus 8 ohm switch somewhere on the receiver. It should be documented. It will explain what to do.

Also the sound with this mixture was fine. Exceptional acutally.

Yes, the manual states to put the switch to what is in essence the 6 ohm position. As stated, my 5.1 setup is 6 ohm and the speakers I listen to music through are 8 ohm. Am i missing out on performance or hurting the 8 ohm speakers in any way since the switch is in the 6 ohm position. Sure would be a pain in the ass to have to switch back and forth though I would do it to maximize performance and/or eliminate potential issues. Thanxalot.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

It's not recommended. Comet is right, you could have a blow out. The last thing you want is blown speakers - always try to match resistance ratings.

He won't have a blow out. Yamaha amps are designed to run speakers ranging from 4 ohms to 8 ohms, including a mix of the two. I run 6 ohm and 8 ohm speakers together with my Yamaha HTR-5960 receiver, and I've never had problems at all. The instruction manual shows how to set the ohm rating for the lowest impedance being powered in the configuration.

No worries.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Alaskankaijudude

Yes, the manual states to put the switch to what is in essence the 6 ohm position. As stated, my 5.1 setup is 6 ohm and the speakers I listen to music through are 8 ohm. Am i missing out on performance or hurting the 8 ohm speakers in any way since the switch is in the 6 ohm position. Sure would be a pain in the ass to have to switch back and forth though I would do it to maximize performance and/or eliminate potential issues. Thanxalot.

There are no dangers using 8 Ohm speakers with your amp switched to 6 Ohms.

[David Craig]

Originally Posted by richteer

There are no dangers using 8 Ohm speakers with your amp switched to 6 Ohms.

Correct. The 6 Ohm setting lets the receiver know that the speakers may draw more power. With that setting you can safely use 6 ohm or 8 ohm speakers. The 8 ohm speakers will draw a bit less power than the 6 ohm speakers would.

The only thing it can affect is the volume level. It won't blow anything up.