Huh? Looking at that and the other link, these are just 4 and 8 ohms, not 1.4 and 1.8. There's some funny printing, that "1" goes with the previous sentence.
Here's a bunch of random observations:
1) The Fluke 77 (which generation?) like most meters is not hyper-accurate. But 0.8 is WAY too low for speaker specified as 4 ohms and 8 ohms.
2) Do the speakers play? If not, there is a short, but the windings didn't come off the coil. If they do play, maybe a partial short. Unusual, but possible.
3) Transformer: interesting, but I would think quite lossy. The spec sheet at http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/storage/8/363024/ContraBass.pdf shows 3 ohms nominal-due to loading, you can't go by DCR too much.
3b) That's not what these subs need anyway, these subs are just defective.
4) Wiring speakers in series is never an optimal idea. The voltage never divides evenly. Yes it will make sound, but not the best solution.
4b) That's not what these subs need anyway, these subs are just defective.
And finally,
5) These subs are just defective.