Mixing Speaker Impedance?


I am considering purchasing either an onkyo pa-mc5501 or integra dta 70.1.

My question is that both of these power amps have a 4/6 impendance switch on the back of them. How will this effect my speaker setup if I am using speakers that have mixed ohms? My front L/R monitor audio RX8s are 4 ohms, my center gxc150 is 8 ohms, and my surrounds gx1 are 6 ohms.

Thanks,

in advance for any advice.
azag
If you have extra channels, try doing a vertical biamp. It may sound a lot better.
Sorry Zd, a vertical bi-amp means using one stereo amp per speaker, therefore L & R are totally independent. Horizontal bi-amp is a one amp for low input of both speakers, and another amp for the high input of both speakers. We will probably need to call this scenario a horizontal bi-amp since all channels are in the same chassis.

The amps rated power is 150wpc with 2 channels driven, and HT Review’s measured power on the amp is 119wpc with 5 channels driven. The OP said he was considering the purchase of this amp, so IMHO, I would take that amount, plus the additional for extra interconnects and cables needed to bi-amp, and purchase a good 4 ohm rated 5 channel amp with more power. The RX8’s will perform so much better, and the center and surrounds will benefit also, especially, if he is in a large room.
It will limit amplifier output characteristics in all cases you set, but if done to 8 ohms, your amp may half or even quarter the power to the 4 ohms while to 8 ohms it may have some voltage deficit and probably just half the power.
Last thing you want to do is to half power to your mains. your center channel will mostly work on mid-range and will have enough spl volume.