6 ohm vs 8 ohm

[vfash]

I'm a newbie, so be kind. I have 5.1 home theater speakers that are 6 ohm. Is it ok to connect them to an 8 ohm receiver? Receiver is a Yamaha HTR 5830.

 

[sokrman14]

I have a similar question. My speakers say 6ohm, compatible with 8 ohm receiver. They are rated at 200W max power. The new amp I want is rated at 200W into 8ohms. If I connect my speakers to this amp, would it be too much power for them to handle and would it blow the speakers?

 

[gmichael]

I'm a newbie, so be kind. I have 5.1 home theater speakers that are 6 ohm. Is it ok to connect them to an 8 ohm receiver? Receiver is a Yamaha HTR 5830.

Shouldn't be a problem. Don't turn it all the way up at first. Go slow and check to make sure that your receiver isn't getting too hot. But I don't think you'll have any issues.

 

[gmichael]

I have a similar question. My speakers say 6ohm, compatible with 8 ohm receiver. They are rated at 200W max power. The new amp I want is rated at 200W into 8ohms. If I connect my speakers to this amp, would it be too much power for them to handle and would it blow the speakers?

Judging by your fine equipment, I don't think that you really need an answer from me. But here goes anyhow:
Shouldn't be a problem unless you turn it up to loud. If your speakers start distorting or making strange sounds, it's time to turn it down.

 

[markw]

You both should be fine.

All that number is saying is that for the same volume level you'll be drawing a little more power than an 8 ohm speaker would.

In either case, common sense and your ears will tell you if you're getting too close to the danger limit. If that doesn't work then then your receivers protection circuit will kick in, although I doubt this will ever happen.

Speakers can handle more power than you can imagine in a real world situation. Now, if you connect them to a sine wave generator and a mo fo amp and push 'em to their limits you may have problems but, in the real world, they aren't drawing as much power as you think. Most normal listening only uses a few wattts at most. It's the momentary peaks that put the demands on and, in HT, a LOT of them are in the subwoofer's domain.

One good rule to keep in mind in this hobby is that if it starts to sound bad, something is wrong and you should turn it down immediately.