8ohm speakers plugged into 4ohm terminals

[Notnilc]

Hello all, I have a question about speaker impedance and the corresponding amplifier speaker terminals. I recently purchased a set of 8 ohm speakers to replace a set of 4 ohm speakers, and I neglected to swap the cables over to the 8 ohms speakers terminals. While I did notice a major difference in performance, I can’t help but wonder if that is harmful to the speaker, or the amplifier for the matter?

I’m curious to see the response.

 

[opnly bafld]

Short answers, no and no.
Might want to name the amplifier.

 

[Notnilc]

Short answers, no and no.
Might want to name the amplifier.

McIntosh MAC7200. AR3’s then Heresy IV..

 

[Notnilc]

Short answers, no and no.
Might want to name the amplifier.

Could you explain what I was hearing in layman’s term? I understand the different resistance rating, but what am I actually experiencing during playback using 4 ohm supply to 8 ohm impedance speakers?

 

[F1nut]

McIntosh MAC7200. AR3’s then Heresy IV..

No wonder you noticed a difference. I'm not sure you could get two other speakers with such completely different sound signatures.

 

[jimtulsa]

Not enough gas in the tank maybe?

 

[opnly bafld]

Could you explain what I was hearing in layman’s term? I understand the different resistance rating, but what am I actually experiencing during playback using 4 ohm supply to 8 ohm impedance speakers?

Might want to post a question or two on the Mac forum.

Not enough gas in the tank maybe?

No way with over 200 watts/ch, light loading would not drop the power that much.

 

[Notnilc]

No wonder you noticed a difference. I'm not sure you could get two other speakers with such completely different sound signatures.

Now that the impedance has been corrected, the Heresy’s match up quite well with the AR3a’s. It’s like an entirely difference speaker.

 

[opnly bafld]

Now that the impedance has been corrected, the Heresy’s match up quite well with the AR3a’s. It’s like an entirely difference speaker.

Reinforces my decision (made long ago) to never own a Mac.

 

[Notnilc]

Reinforces my decision (made long ago) to never own

Reinforces my decision (made long ago) to never own a Mac.

another McIntosh hater? Eyes rolling

 

[sberger]

Now that the impedance has been corrected, the Heresy’s match up quite well with the AR3a’s. It’s like an entirely difference speaker.

Well, they are. In every way.

 

[Notnilc]

Well, they are. In every way.

I’m referring to the Heresy’s comparison to itself when plugged into the 4 ohm terminals. It’s like a completely different speaker. However, I’m quite pleased with the Heresy IV’s in comparison to the AR’s. They actually sound very similar. The AR’s seem to be a little better in the midrange IMO.

 

[sberger]

I’m referring to the Heresy’s comparison to itself when plugged into the 4 ohm terminals. It’s like a completely different speaker. However, I’m quite pleased with the Heresy IV’s in comparison to the AR’s. They actually sound very similar. The AR’s seem to be a little better in the midrange IMO.

This might be the first time I've ever heard anybody say Heresy's "sound very similar" to AR3a's. But I haven't heard the IV's, although I've owned a few pairs of 1st edition Heresy's and AR3a's.

In any event, congratulations on the new speakers. That's a nice system you've put together.

 

[opnly bafld]

@Notnilc
said "another McIntosh hater? Eyes rolling"

No more like indifference/meh.

 

[Notnilc]

@Notnilc
said "another McIntosh hater? Eyes rolling"

No more like indifference/meh.

Not even sure what you just said, but nice work. If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all.

 

[Notnilc]

This might be the first time I've ever heard anybody say Heresy's "sound very similar" to AR3a's. But I haven't heard the IV's, although I've owned a few pairs of 1st edition Heresy's and AR3a's.

In any event, congratulations on the new speakers. That's a nice system you've put together.

 

[Notnilc]

Thank you