4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

[Patrick B.]

My 1970 Corvette has 10 Ohm speakers. Paragon sells only 4 ohm speakers for it, and Zip offers both 4 or 10 ohm. Zip suggests that the 4 ohm speakers are an upgrade, but charges more than twice as much for 10 ohm speakers. It doesn’t seem reasonable to use 4 ohm speakers with a radio designed for 10 ohm speakers, because it would tend to cause an excess output current. Am I missing something?

[Gary B.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

Look at S&M Electro-Tech, Inc, http://www.turnswitch.com/
The right speaker, the right ohm, bolts right in. Not the cheapest on the market, but they do sound good.
Gb

[Mark E.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

When I had my '70 stereo repaired by CGR Restoration, they cautioned me not to use 4 ohm speakers. I told them I installed 8 ohm Radio Shack (remember them?) speakers years ago because I couldn't find 10 ohm, and they said that's fine.

[Loren L.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

The Lottery Prize - which speaker do you think Paragon has more in stock: 1. 4 ohm 2. 10 ohm

- which " does " want to sell without a warranty: 1. 4 ohm 2. 10 ohm

[Joe L.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

My 1970 Corvette has 10 Ohm speakers. Paragon sells only 4 ohm speakers for it, and Zip offers both 4 or 10 ohm. Zip suggests that the 4 ohm speakers are an upgrade, but charges more than twice as much for 10 ohm speakers. It doesn’t seem reasonable to use 4 ohm speakers with a radio designed for 10 ohm speakers, because it would tend to cause an excess output current. Am I missing something?

Patrick------


If you use the 4 ohm speakers with an original Corvette radio you'll ruin the radio. You can get by with 8 ohm speakers but the best bet is to use 10 ohm speakers, as original. I expect that the 4 ohm speakers are intended for Corvettes with replacement radios utilizing 4 ohm speakers . However, they ought to be clear about that in the information about the speakers.

Why do the 10 ohm speakers cost more? Well, 10 ohm speakers are very unusual and probably have to be "custom made". 4 ohm speakers are mass produced and "a dime a dozen".

[Joe L.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

One more thing: many OEM GM speakers for many years were 10 OHM. The 1970-77 4 X 6 10 ohm speaker is available from GM under GM #15173233 (not the original part number). This speaker could also be used in other Corvettes requiring 10 ohm speakers if the size could be made to work. This speaker GM lists for about 70 bucks but can be purchased through Delco dealers for about half that.

[Tom L.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

I had my radio rebuilt, put the speakers that Gary noted in and added an auxiliary jack so I could connect with a phone. Sounded Ok but not great. Recently I bought one of those JBL flip 4's that works with your phone through bluetooth. Sits nicely on the dash against the windshield, doesn't move. For about 80 bucks it's a better upgrade with a lot less work and expense. Just my 2 cents.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 4 Ohm vs 10 Ohm speakers

Look at S&M Electro-Tech, Inc, http://www.turnswitch.com/
The right speaker, the right ohm, bolts right in. Not the cheapest on the market, but they do sound good.
Gb

This.

Don't mess with anything else.