Mixed Ohms speakers in a surround sound system?

Can you set up a surround sound system using speakers with different Ohms? i.e. 4 and 8 ohms? I'd be very interested in the answer and thanks for any help anyone can provide.

---

Hi

Yes, you can. The important thing is that your AV receiver supports the lowest impedance (ohms) of any speakers connected to it. The manual for your receiver should tell you the ohm range it will comfortably support.

Therefore, as long as each speaker is within the working limit of the receiver, then it doesn't matter if some speakers are 8 ohm and some 4 ohm.

The problem with using speakers with a low impedance is that they will draw too much power from the amplifier - at least more power than the power supply is designed to deliver.

This will cause the power supply to overheat over a period of time. With luck, the receiver will shut down before it damages your speakers....but it might not!

Hope that helps.

Paul (Site Editor)

Feel free to join in this discussion by adding your own comments below...