Brian A-P510 wrote:

The Pioneer amp says on the back that the speakers should be 8-16 ohms.  The original Pioneer speakers are 8 ohms. The Bose speakers are rated 4-8 ohms.

My question is whether this is close enough of a match?

Unless you have a very large room and play your music at party levels there shouldn't be a problem.

You should check out the affordable speakers we recommend at www.stereophile.com/content/2014-recommended-components-loudspeakers

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Most people find those Bose speakers to have avery "colored" sound, as opposed to accurate sound. You will probably find them very different from your old speakers; excessive mid-bass and a sort of "dark" overall sound. Not what you would call "high fidelity" at all.

I recommend that you look at the various Focal and Wharfedale speakers that are shown on the Music Direct website. Almost any of those would be a much better choice for most people. PSB and KEF also make excellent speakers.

Bose speakers are also way overpriced IMO. You can get better-sounding speakers at a lower price.

Any amplifier that says to stay with 8-16 ohm speakers has a very limited ability to deliver current to speakers. It may distort excessively with lower impedance speakers.

I had that problem with a Yamaha amplifier that was so labelled back in the 1980s. It distorted so bad that I had to return it and get a NAD amplifier, which could handle any speaker with lower impedances.

Brian A-P510 wrote:

I have a great Pioneer component stereo that is about 25 years old but the speakers are shot.  I am looking for a new pair of speakers and am considering Bose 301 as they have a similar size and color.  I am concerned that the ohms are matched poperly and would appreciate some guidance.  

The Pioneer amp says on the back that the speakers should be 8-16 ohms.  The original Pioneer speakers are 8 ohms. The Bose speakers are rated 4-8 ohms.

My question is whether this is close enough of a match?

Thanks,

Brian

Hi Brian

Welcome to the forum. You'll get a diverse range of opinions here, and some open doors to products you may not have known ever existed. The recommended components is a good place to start, and Music Direct is also a great place to buy. As you look for products my recommendation is always try to keep it simple. If a product looks complicated it probably is. The more complicated the harder it is to find a match.

good luck and have fun

michael green

MGA/RoomTune