Expert: Cleggsan - 12/16/2008

Question
Hi (for science purposes only) would 4 (6 ohms speakers) and 2 (8ohms speakers) in parallel make a 5.5 ohm load?Question 2 would 2 (8ohm speakers) and 1 (6ohm speaker in parallel make a 10 ohm load.

Answer
No.  

4 each of 6 ohm speaker is 6/4 = 1.5 Ohms.
2 each at 8 ohms is 8/2 = 4 ohms.

If, as I think you are asking, these two sets of speakers are now placed in parallel the impedance would be: (1.5 X 4)/(4 + 1.5) = 6/5.5 = 1.1 ohm.

Explanation:  The calculation is, if impedances are placed in parallel the resulting impedance is the product over the sum.

If the 4 speakers at 6 ohms were in parallel, then the 8 ohms speakers in parallel were put in SERIES with each other you would get the 5.5 ohms you mentioned.

Question 2:  2 each at 8 ohms gives 4 ohms, as above.  If those two speakers were then  placed in parallel with a 6 ohm speaker the resulting impedance would become:  (4 x 6)/10 = 24/10 = 2.4 ohms.

If you put the 8 ohm speakers in parallel with each other then put that combination in SERIES with the 6 ohm speaker you would get the 10 ohms you are looking for.

Hope this helps.

C