4 ohm system can I add 8 ohm speakers?

[remltr]

Hello,
I have an LG CM4530 mini system. It came with 2 speakers and a sub. The receiver and speakers say 4ohms. I would like to add 2 insignia outdoor speakers that are 8 ohms each Into the outputs that power the 4 ohm speakers And drive all at the same time. That way I can have music inside and outside. Can this be done without detriment to the system? Thanks for your input.

 

[kanewolf]

Putting an 8 ohm in PARALLEL with a 4 ohm will create about a 3 ohm equivalent load. It is quite possible that is too low. Switching the inside speakers to 8 ohm speakers would provide an equivalent 4 ohm load, just as the single speakers are today.
A speaker switch would allow either set but not both and would not cause any problems.

 

[remltr]

Thanks kanewolf. Just to clarify, changing the indoor speakers to 8 ohm speakers, I can run all 4- 8 ohm speakers in the 2- 4 ohm outputs? Thanks again.

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks kanewolf. Just to clarify, changing the indoor speakers to 8 ohm speakers, I can run all 4- 8 ohm speakers in the 2- 4 ohm outputs? Thanks again.

Yes. Two pair of 8 ohm speakers in parallel is the same load as the 4 ohm speakers currently in use.
http://www.eminence.com/support/wiring-diagrams/

 

[americanaudiophile]

If you replace the inside speakers with 8 ohm ones you will be reducing the power output of the mini system by half when you don't use all four speakers.
Unless you always plan to use all 4 speakers at the same time you will want an impedance matching speaker selector. You might find that the inside speakers are too loud when you use the outside ones. There are speaker selectors with a volume control for each pair so you can adjust them independently.