10 ohm car speakers

INFO GATHERED FROM THE INTERNET REGARDING 10 OHM SPEAKERS

Putting a resistor in series with an 8 ohm speaker makes the bias go crazy in those old Delco radios. Don't do it, or else you'll be buying a very expensive output transistor (not made anymore).

I wouldn't add resistors to a speaker to make the load what you want it to be .. on speakers its a reactive load not a resistive. as far as ohms go. . short story is if a speaker is a 4 ohm speaker , its only at 4 ohms that it is at its resonant frequency . So, in short, at other frequencies its at varying impedance. any where from 1 to 40 ohms. depends on frequency.

The resistor will just soak up the power so to speak. Much of the output power is dissipated by the resistor rather than the speaker. It will work, but I wouldn't do it. Resistance isn't the same thing as impedance. You can't do this test properly with a ohm meter, you need a impedance tester...You will need to discuss this with a radio geek about watt output and other specifics.

Many "modern" vehicles in the GM lines have used 10 ohm speakers. The problem is, unless you know an exact part #, or a vehicle application, most counter guys just frown on you. Sometimes even with the info, they still don't want to track down the stuff.

All factory Delco radios, AM, AM FM, mono, stereo, 8 tracks, multiplex, reverbs from the 60's and 70's required 8 to 10 ohm speakers to work properly. It should be clearly die stamped on the units housings. "Do not operate without 8 to 10 ohm speaker" The radio service manuals indicate this also. If incorrect speakers are used they will play but play lower than the correct 8 or 10 ohms speakers and the sound will becomes fuzzy or lower and intermittent after 15 min. of play time. But most important the wrong speakers overload the outputs in the radio making them very hot. These will short out the radio over a short period of play time. Sometimes in a matter of a minute.

Replacing a 10 ohm speaker with a 4 ohm speaker can be bad news for your equipment. Sure, you will find a lot of blog info from people that have added resistors and wired in series, etc. and say it works. But, your new speakers have less than half the resistance of the originals so they will draw twice as much current. Doubling the current drawn through your radio means almost certain death.

If your factory speakers are shot, torn or don't play well, DO NOT THROW THEM WAY! Most speakers have a specific fit to your car and can not be replaced new! There are speaker restorers out there that do a respectable job.

On a final note: "can I just wire two 4 ohm speakers in series? " Not really. Again, that depends on the wattage of the radio. Series wiring is for speaker boxes in modern large amp rated systems. Again, You will need to discuss this with a radio geek about watt output and other specifics.