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What does switching back of amp from 8 to 4 ohms do?

I have three speakers including a center and the left and right are connected to 4 ohm jacks on the back of the 600 W mono blocks i have.
I have a Multi channel amp that has 250 W and only have the center connected to it. The switch on the back of this app can toggle between four and eight Ohms.

If I change the switch on the back of the multi channel amp from 8 to 4 Ohms how will things be impacted?

Will volume levels be reduced? Impact to sound quality? Good idea?

I use 4 ohms for the main speakers as I was told it would be better since I have more than enough power to drive them. Not sure what difference it makes

Thought changing the center speaker to 4 might be good to be consistent with the left and right speakers

jumia

Showing 3 responses by jumia

jumia OP
528 posts
 

Czarivey, Great answer but the very last sentence confused me.

I was told changing to four ohms, since my speakers explore below eight ohms, is helpful when the lower range is used by the speakers. Not sure how the speaker is wired within the speaker to accommodate four and eight ohm settings. I guess it's a design way for channeling more power to the lower end of frequency range which Impacts sound level. Using McIntosh amplifier with transformer.

 

jumia OP
528 posts
 

Thank you again
Fascinating response, with the DC resistance of the voice coil being low I would expect lower power needed.  Why is more power needed? 
 

 

jumia OP
528 posts
 

Another situation where lots of brilliance has mixed in with lots of confusion. 
 

Maybe a different approach here is in order, maybe trying to understand the mechanical wiring differences Beyond the four and eight ohm taps. Clearly there are wiring differences within the speaker cabinet relating to four and eight ohms. What are these differences which seem to have operational merit.

 

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