Four Speakers

[smm6321]

I'm trying to attach four speakers, (2 Elk-73 & 2 Elk M1TWS). I read other threads here that indicate that I should not drop below 4 Ohms on any combination of speakers. I measured the Ohms and get a reading of 9.5/6 if I put the meter probes between sp4 (blue) and sp1 (red). I get a reading between 6.9 and 7.4 on other combinations. Is the higher reading (9.5/6) a problem since it goes over the 8 Ohms of the speakers? I've attached a very simple diagram of how the speakers are wired using two of the black screw-type connector blocks from HomeDepot.

Spencer

 

[Spanky]

4 speakers: Put two in series and the other two in series. This equals 16 ohms on each set of speakers. Place the two sets in parallel which equals 8 ohms. Down side is if one speaker blows, both speakers in series will be out.


For inside speakers the 32 ohm ELK Sp12F can be wired with 8 in parallel and only have a 4 ohm load. Loads more than 4 ohms are no problem so do not put dummy loads on the speaker lines trying to get 4 or 8 ohms.

 

[FloridaMike]

How did you speakers sound over 8 ohms?

 

[signal15]

You cannot accurately measure the impedance of a speaker with a multimeter.  Whatever reading you get will be way off from what it really is.  I can't remember the reason, but I think it has something to do with induction currents generated when the speaker is operating.  
 
You need to go by the rating written on the speaker.

 

[dgage]

I can't speak to measurement but speakers have different impedances depending on the frequency of the audio signal.  As an example, a speaker may have a low impedance in the bass frequencies and a higher impedance at the upper frequencies.

 

[Del91574]

We're not talking about high buck audio drivers here, general use speakers.

 

[Neurorad]

How did you speakers sound over 8 ohms?

What is the impedance rating of your speaker, and how many speakers are you attempting to drive?

Welcome back, DEL.

 

[Del91574]

You cannot accurately measure the impedance of a speaker with a multimeter.  Whatever reading you get will be way off from what it really is.  I can't remember the reason, but I think it has something to do with induction currents generated when the speaker is operating.  
 
You need to go by the rating written on the speaker.

Not entirely true.
 
If you're trying to meter out a home stereo speaker with integral crossovers, etc. sure, but in the case of a simple driver, typically it'll be within reason or close to the listed impedance, like an 8 ohm listed speaker may meter out at 6.37 ohms...

 

[FloridaMike]

I ended up using an 8 ohm and 32 ohm speaker in parallel. Calculated 6.4 ohms and also measured 6.4 ohms with a multimeter. Audio sounded a lot better than just the 8 ohm unit by itself leading me to believe that less ohms is better for sound quality (staying above 4 ohms of course).

 

[Mp333]

You cannot accurately measure the impedance of a speaker with a multimeter.  Whatever reading you get will be way off from what it really is.  I can't remember the reason, but I think it has something to do with induction currents generated when the speaker is operating.  
 
You need to go by the rating written on the speaker.

For true measurement a Impedance meter is used. For general use a multimeter works just fine.