Can I run 4ohm speakers on an 8ohm system?

RGuz
RGuz Posts: 1
edited December 2010 in Vintage Speakers
Hi, I'm new to the forum. Right now I'm running an Sansui 9090 with Cerwin Vega LS-15's. I've just recently bought a pair of Polk RTA-12C's not knowing that they were 4ohm speakers. I was hoping to keep the Cerwin-Vega's on the A switch, and the RTA-12C's on the B switch so I can switch back and forth according to the music that I want to listen to. The Cerwin-Vega's, I believe, are 8ohm speakers. And the RTA's are 4ohm. I'm not sure the difference and don't want to ruin anything. Can I do this?
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,288
    edited December 2010
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102050&highlight=txcoastal1

    Here is where is was at several month's ago there are tons of threads including amp choices and opinions mentioned in the threads

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  • OldmanSRS
    OldmanSRS Posts: 419
    edited December 2010
    Yes, but the amp's power output is not matched to the load and 1/2 of the output power will be lost as heat in the amp's final output stage. This will limit your amps max power ouput delivery to the speakers and may case the amp to overtemp if operated at sustained levels above 1/2 its rated RMS output level. The amp might trip off with overcurrent protection on the peaks well before it trips off from overtemp.
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  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited December 2010
    I believe the old Sansui's can handle 4 ohm speakers. You should double check on the specs. Do you have the manual for it. Look on the back of the unit. Big receivers from the 1970's normally handled 4 ohm speakers because 4 ohm speakers were common in the day. As long as you are not running both A and B speakers at the same time you should be o.k.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,288
    edited December 2010
    Here is a couple quick links hope this helps

    http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=339880

    http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/p/24943/206974.aspx
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited December 2010
    You could, but I wouldn't. It's not rated to handle 4 Ohm loads. It's a nice vintage receiver, there is a good possibilty you'll mess it up...
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