speaker impedence matching help?

Question

I have a Sony FR1 series DVD Dream System receiver that includes all my satellite speakers running 110 watts at 4-ohms. It's all just a simple connection terminals in the back panel.

Anyway, I have a pair of Pioneer bookshelf speakers that carries a maximum power of 120 watts at 6-ohms. I want to connect my Pioneer speakers with 2 of my 4-ohm speakers to create a wide-configuration front channels, and I don't want these speakers to run in parallel. Is there any equipment do I need (like speaker distribution hub or amplifier)?
Will it damage any of my components?
If so, which one?
What other effects will do?

Answer 1

The best way to do it is to add an amplifier to run your Pioneer speakers. If you need to, run a splitter (RCA connectors) for your audio inputs from your receiver to your added amplifier.

Answer 2

You can connect them in series for a total impedance of 10 ohms. This will not cause any problems with the amplifier or the speakers electrically. However, there are two issues you must consider:

The total maximum power output capability of the amplifier will be reduced; if your amplifier has reasonable power capability (50watts or more) this will probably not be a problem. It is surprising, but a doubling of power output (3db) is just audible to the ear.

Your speakers may have a large difference in sensitivity (sound level output per watt of input). Sensitivity depends on the speaker design and not related to impedance. If your speakers are a lot different in sensitivity, you will find that most of the sound will come from the more sensitive pair, and you may not even notice the others.

The best way to do this is hook them up in series and try it. You can't damage anything in doing this. Another thing: in hooking up the speakers, be careful to observe the polarity of the connections: + from the amp to + on the first speaker, - on the first to + on the second, - on the second to - on the amp.