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4 speakers, 2 channel amp

Newbie question that I think I already know the answer to. I feel I need to ask anyway.......

I have a McIntosh MC2200 amp that can put out 200 WPC at 8 ohms. Can I safely at low volume hook four speakers to this amp, two at the four ohm tap and the other two at eight ohms?

Speakers are lower end Paradigms that sound better at four ohms. I love the sound of speakers both in front of and behind me. The newbie in me says that as long as I don't exceed 200 watts of total output, the amp will tolerate this. Is that wrong?

BTW this would be a temporary setup until I can afford a second amp.
brad34695

Showing 1 response by elevick

elevick
2,636 posts
 
I wouldn't do it. You will get considerable drops in impedance that could be catastrophic. You can get an impedance matching transformer that will allow for multiple pairs of speakers without jeopardizing the amp.

My opinion-the speakers don't sound better at 4 ohms, you like the sound of the amp better when it is running at 4 ohms.
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