4 ohm speakers with receiver that asks for 8 ohm minimum per speaker?

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by radicaldreamers, Jun 23, 2017.

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  1. radicaldreamers

    radicaldreamers Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Boston
    I just got a Nakamichi SR-2A and while the info on the eBay auction claimed the minimum speaker impedance was 4 ohms I actually got the unit today and it says "8 ohm minimum/speaker." My speakers are ADS L500s, 4 ohm speakers. Would I be foolish to run the unit powering a pair of 4 ohm speakers? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. HenryH

    HenryH Miserable Git

    It's not so much an issue about *if* it will work...it will. But for any volume level you will be driving the amp a little bit harder than one which designed to handle a 4 ohm load. General effect could be harsh upper frequency response and lower dynamics, particularly at higher volumes.
     
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  3. Gibsonian

    Gibsonian Forum Resident

    Location:
    Iowa, USA
    I would say if you are taxing the amplifier regularly with your volume levels then I would get an amp/receiver capable of 4 ohm loads. If your listening is light, not loud, then it will likely handle the load. I would be checking heatsink temp during normal listening.
     
    Daily Nightly likes this.
  4. radicaldreamers

    radicaldreamers Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Boston
    Well, I've got it up and running and it sounds great. In disconnecting my old receiver (Technics SA-4046) I noticed that IT can only handle speakers with impedances 8-16 ohms... and I've been running these L500s for about 6 years. I guess it's not quite as serious an issue as I thought. Been monitoring the temperature of the unit and can't imagine it's damaging anything. Can maybe hear some harshness at the high end and some muddiness at the bottom end at high volumes, but only when cranking it. This is my bedroom set up so while I do "crank it" from time to time it's generally operated at a pretty reasonable volume.
     
  5. acdc7369

    acdc7369 Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    If you turn it up too loud your amplifier will burn up
     
    Daily Nightly likes this.
  6. 62caddy

    62caddy Forum Resident

    Location:
    PA
    The owner's manual does cite dynamic power (peak) ratings for 4 ohm load and according to hi fi engine, 4 ohm is the minimum load below.

    My guess is the manufacturer recommends 8 ohm minimum (2 pairs of speakers); 4 ohm minimum for a single pair.

    Specifications
    Tuning range: FM, MW

    Power output: 30 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)

    Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz

    Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%

    Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 200mV (line)

    Signal to noise ratio: 80dB (MM), 105dB (line)

    Output: 200mV (line)

    Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)

    Dimensions: 430 x 100 x 370mm

    Weight: 7.5kg
     
  7. jea48

    jea48 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Midwest, USA
    Speaker load impedance 4 ohm (minimum)
    At some frequencies the impedance could drop to 2 ohms.
    If you do not push the amp hard and make sure it has plenty of air ventilation you will probably be ok. If the amp starts to distort turn the volume down.


    Quote:

    Specifications
    Tuning range: FM, MW

    Power output: 30 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)

    Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz

    Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%

    Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 200mV (line)

    Signal to noise ratio: 80dB (MM), 105dB (line)

    Output: 200mV (line)

    Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)

    Dimensions: 430 x 100 x 370mm

    Weight: 7.5kg

    Nakamichi SR-2 - Manual - Stereo Receiver - HiFi Engine

    Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)



     
    Daily Nightly likes this.
  8. radicaldreamers

    radicaldreamers Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Boston
    Got it! Thanks for the replies everyone! :D
     
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