4 Ohm Speaker with an "8 Ohm Minimum" Reciever


I recently put together a small system consisting of a NAD L54 receiver and a pair of Totem Dreamcatchers. The Dreamcatchers are a 4 Ohm Speaker. The NAD Manual states that the speakers should be 8 ohm minimum. Of course, I did not now this until I purchased everything and had all the components delivered. I would hate to sell the speakers, but I am worried I will damage the receiver.
If I use the system, am I risking damage ? The room that the system is in is very small, and the system will be played at low levels. Thank you.
red68

Showing 2 responses by stanwal

The smaller guage wire has a higher resistance and uses more of the current to heat itself. I have seen systems where less than half the output makes it to the speakers. I well remember a "Professional" sound man using at least 75' of 20 gauge wire.
Probably not but you can add a 4 ohm resistor to the speaker wire if you are really worried. This was done in the very early days of transistors on occasion. What effect it would have on the sound I have no idea.