Speaker Impedance Dilemma

[CouchSpud]

Ok to make a long story short, I screwed up when ordering a pair of vintage 30s and now I'm stuck with two speakers with a 16 ohm impedance and the two vintage 30s with an 8 ohm impedance. This is for a 4x12 cab. I can't return the speakers so that option is out the door. Is there a way I can wire these 4 speakers into the same cab without causing damage to my amp, cab, and/or myself or am I completely boned? :sad:

 

[bpmorton777]

what are the output impedance options on the back of your amp?

Brian

 

[CouchSpud]

8 or 16 ohm.

 

[-CB-]

Your only bet is to wire them 8+16 in parallel with another 8+16 for something like 11-12 ohms.  The current will be equal, but the output from the speakers wont be right.

Another way is to wire three speakers.  8+8 in parallel with a single 16.  That will be 8 ohms, and balanced.

Another thing to consider when mismatching series wired speakers is the way that the speakers interact with the amp - total damping on the output... its gonna be weird.  Maybe interesting,.. maybe not.

 

[CouchSpud]

Your only bet is to wire them 8+16 in parallel with another 8+16 for something like 11-12 ohms.  The current will be equal, but the output from the speakers wont be right.

Another way is to wire three speakers.  8+8 in parallel with a single 16.  That will be 8 ohms, and balanced.

Another thing to consider when mismatching series wired speakers is the way that the speakers interact with the amp - total damping on the output... its gonna be weird.  Maybe interesting,.. maybe not.

So if I take the second option it should end up like: Amp-->Cab-->16 ohm speaker-->8 ohm speaker-->8 ohm speaker?

How would this effect the tone?

*EDIT*

Wait, never mind I think I got that wrong. So I would have one 16 ohm connected separately and then have the two 8 ohm connected?

 

[-CB-]

This of this as plus and minus...

center (tip) of jack to 8+  
8- to the next 8+
that 8- back to the edge (ring) of the jack.

Then also do 16+ to tip and 16- to ring

Total result - 8 ohms impedance

The 8 speakers are in series with each other resulting in 16 effective total at that point.  Then the 16 speaker is in parallel with the 16 effective made by the two 8's.   That result is 8 again, when its all wired up.

 

[Alfang]

I'm curious to know why you can't return the speakers.  I would think it would be an easy exchange, and the seller would understand.

My answer to your problem is this, go buy 2 more 16 ohm and 2 more 8 ohm speakers and build 2 cabinets.

 

[CouchSpud]

I'm curious to know why you can't return the speakers.  I would think it would be an easy exchange, and the seller would understand.

My answer to your problem is this, go buy 2 more 16 ohm and 2 more 8 ohm speakers and build 2 cabinets.

The guy I bought them from doesn't accept returns. Plus, considering the price I bought them for, instead of trying to convince the guy to take them back and pay the shipping costs, I might as well just sell them for a profit, man I love ebay.... but I'll probably go with your solution as soon as I can afford it.

 

[blue313]

I'm curious to know why you can't return the speakers.  I would think it would be an easy exchange, and the seller would understand.

My answer to your problem is this, go buy 2 more 16 ohm and 2 more 8 ohm speakers and build 2 cabinets.

The guy I bought them from doesn't accept returns. Plus, considering the price I bought them for, instead of trying to convince the guy to take them back and pay the shipping costs, I might as well just sell them for a profit, man I love ebay.... but I'll probably go with your solution as soon as I can afford it.

True, it's not like it'll be hard to offload a couple of Vintage 30's.

 

[stubhead]

Well CB explained it just right so it'll work out, but make a drawing and label the wires with masking tape if you have to.

 

[CouchSpud]

Hehe, anyone wanna buy some speakers?