Wurlitzer speaker impedence

[cinnanon]

I thought I came across this topic years ago, but now I can't find it.

I've heard that Radioshack used to make a 4"x8" 4 ohm speaker and I think I found a pair at a local flea market (whatever they are, they are about 4 ohm each.

I know that the normal 200 series speakers are 16 ohm speakers wired in parallel, equivalent to 8 ohms impedence.

What if I were to wire these two 4-ohm speakers in series to yield the same 8 ohms that the amp sees. Would the speakers be the same volume? Would the amp notice the difference? Distortion? Would there be any difference?

Thanks in advance

[pianotuner steveo]

I'm not an expert, but that sounds fine to me. The speakers should not distort unless they are blown, or the amp has excessive distortion.

[cinnanon]

I've got to think I need to modify the headphone jack or at least the wiring to it, because when plugged in, it cuts out the speakers and switches to an 8 ohm resistor and also the headphone tip contact. The only place i'd do this is on the 206's that I modify since they don't have speakers inside. On those I can just do away with the headphone jack altogether since they're somewhat useless anyway (at least to me).

[pianotuner steveo]

Headphone jacks are good  for late night playing. A stereo jack with the 2 + tips shorted will put audio into both sides of stereo headphones.

[cinnanon]

I think i'm just going to leave it mono headphones because if I put a stereo headphone jack in and someone plugs in mono headphones, the output will be shorted to ground, which I know some amps can handle and others can't (particularly older ones). Does anyone know if these amps can handle that? I always assume its bad.

[pianotuner steveo]

How would it be shorted to ground?

[cinnanon]

Mono plug will short the signal on a stereo jack.

[pianotuner steveo]

I see what you mean but I have never heard of this before.

Maybe it's because I do not own any mono headphones. I have almost always put a stereo jack in a wurli, but I guess I have never plugged any mono headphones into one.

Do they even make mono headphones anymore?

[cinnanon]

I don't know?  I would assume not. But if someone assumes that it's mono and it's not then FRY!

[David Aubke]

I've often wondered why this isn't more of an issue - shorting hot to ground by using a mono plug. Seems like a design flaw in the 1/4" jack that it can happen so easily.

[pianotuner steveo]

Of course you could always put a stereo plug on the mono phones.........

[cinnanon]

These are for sale on eBay. They might be useful but I dunno?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sony-4-x-8-and-4-Speakers-with-crossovers-/331206931061?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4d1d78b275

[pianotuner steveo]

They may be too big, and they also may be hi if speakers, not musical instrument speakers.
Wurli speakers are slightly smaller than a true 4x8 if I remember correctly....

[martin]

vintage vibe sell the propere 4x8 16ohm speakers http://www.vintagevibe.com/shop/wurlitzer-200-style-speakers/ i have a set in mine. they're great!

[jankdc]

I know that this is an ancient post. But for future reference, you can get a mono to stereo adaptor and not worry about shorting anything. The one that I have goes from 1/4" to 3.5mm.