Need help - buying new rear speakers for use with rear wireless receiver

[zicmubleu]

I am no expert but from a pure electronics standpoint hooking an 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm source is OK. In order to get maximum power transfer both the source and the load should be equal but if you increase the load, speakers in your case, resistance you reduce the current flow but effectively dissipate more wattage at the load = more efficient. Efficiency is of little value to your listening experience but it should mean less heat generated in the amplifier output stages which is always a good thing. In otherwords, no problems. Don't confuse efficiency with maximum power, I know someone is going to jump on my case for this.

[smail.nathan]

Originally Posted by zicmubleu

I am no expert but from a pure electronics standpoint hooking an 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm source is OK. In order to get maximum power transfer both the source and the load should be equal but if you increase the load, speakers in your case, resistance you reduce the current flow but effectively dissipate more wattage at the load = more efficient. Efficiency is of little value to your listening experience but it should mean less heat generated in the amplifier output stages which is always a good thing. In otherwords, no problems. Don't confuse efficiency with maximum power, I know someone is going to jump on my case for this.

thanks for the help. everyone else of the same opinion on this? i think i'll jump on the two polks then if this is the case.

[Big Daddy]

Normally, when a receiver is rated for 4 ohm speakers, it can handle 8 ohm speakers without any problems. 8 ohm speakers will draw less current from the receiver. The reverse is not always true. Receivers that can handle 8 ohm speakers cannot necessarily handle 4 ohm speakers.

[smail.nathan]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Normally, when a receiver is rated for 4 ohm speakers, it can handle 8 ohm speakers without any problems. 8 ohm speakers will draw less current from the receiver. The reverse is not always true. Receivers that can handle 8 ohm speakers cannot necessarily handle 4 ohm speakers.

Very interesting. Thank you both for enlightening me. Learned something new today. I pulled the trigger on the polk rm201's. So happy to be rid of those two bose bookshelf's. Thanks guys for the help!