...knowledge about speaker impedence?

Posted on Nov 30, 1999 12:00 am
Joshua Steck
Member Since: May 25, 2002

In a typical home stereo system, seriously, what are the consequences of using speakers with an impedence that doesn't match the amp/receiver's?

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dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Feb 26, 2003 05:46 am

overheating and burning out your reciever.

jues
Contributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002

Feb 26, 2003 06:01 am

I'm pretty sure that you would also run into a lot of problems when you started to turn things up loud.

(eg: blowing the speaker's driver)

Walt
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
Member
Since: May 10, 2002

Feb 26, 2003 06:05 am

If you have more speaker impediance than is specified by the amplifier you may note a reduction in volume. If the speaker impediance is less than the amps specification then you can incur damage to the final amplifiers in the amplifier; The greater the volume pushed to the speakers, the greater the risk. It's like back pressure on a fine tuned engine, too little and boom! engine blows trying to deliver more than it was designed to.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Feb 26, 2003 05:23 pm

Yep, it can be bad news. Most new amps have overload protection on the output, but blow that a couple of times and your in for a big repair bill. It is best to follow the Mfg. specs on what impedance to use. Walt gave a good analogy, but it works both ways, to little and the amp overworks itself, to much and the amp will try to keep up and burn itself out.