| This article gives information on understanding | | | | powerful car amplifiers will work into a 2 Ohms load |
| loudspeaker impedance (resistance) which is | | | | (often refered to by the manufacturers as being 2 |
| measured in ohms, and how to match loudspeakers to | | | | Ohms Stable. However this application is rarely |
| a suitable power amplifier. | | | | encountered since it would need 4x 8 Ohm Speakers |
| The information is relevant to any music system, | | | | to be connected to each channel to acheive this. |
| including in car entertainment, Home Cinema Systems, | | | | Working out Ohms:- |
| Band pa rigs and Mobile Discos | | | | Most Music, Hi-Fi, Disco & P.A loudspeakers are rated |
| A Channel on an Amplifier refers to the individual | | | | at 8 ohms, so connecting one 8 ohm speaker to one |
| module or circuit inside the amplifier which takes in a | | | | channel of the amplifier will present a load of 8 ohms |
| signal mono low level signal and boosts it to drive a | | | | to it. |
| loudspeaker(s). | | | | However most automotive loudspeakers are rated at |
| All Stereo amplifiers have two Channels, one channel | | | | 4 ohms. |
| handles the left hand signal and speaker, the other | | | | Plugging in an additional 8 ohm loudspeaker into either |
| obviously does the same for the right. Other than | | | | the existing connected speaker or the second socket |
| some amplifiers sharing the same power supply, the | | | | on the same channel of the amplifier (if fitted) will equal |
| internal Left and right channels or circuit boards are | | | | 8 ohm + 8 ohm = 4 Ohms load to the amplifier. |
| seperate, which means in the event of a loudspeaker | | | | To get 2 ohms you would need to connect:- |
| problem or component failure the opposite channel | | | | 8 Ohms + 8 Ohms + 8 Ohms + 8 Ohms = a 2 Ohm |
| should continue to work. | | | | Load, so to get your amplifiers 2 Ohm rating you need |
| Some Amplifiers used in home entertainment or Home | | | | to connect (4x) 8 ohm speakers to it. |
| Cinema systems have four or five output channels. | | | | Given the fact that each channel is identical and |
| These essentially work just like stereo (2 channel) | | | | seperate, your Amplifier has the capability of running 4 |
| amplifiers, but use additional outputs to drive front and | | | | x 8 ohm speakers per channel! - a total of 8 speakers |
| rear loudspeaker pairs, and either a subwoofer or | | | | - which is why I said to ignore 2 ohm ratings when |
| center channel for surround sound applications. | | | | buying an Amplifier and concentrate on the 4 or 8 ohm |
| Okay - the load which determines how much power | | | | wattage ratings!. |
| your amplifier provides to the speakers is dependant | | | | 2 Ohms of load on the Amplifier can also be acheived |
| on the actual number of speakers connected and their | | | | by connecting (2x) 4 Ohm loudspeaker cabs to the |
| individual impedance. | | | | same channel. |
| The load is called the impedence, and the level of | | | | In Hi-Fi Applications, it is also common to find 6 ohm |
| impedence is measured in ohms. Most hifi and low | | | | and 4 ohm loudspeakers for sale in the marketplace. If |
| power PA amplifiers will only work to a minimum of 4 | | | | your amplifier is rated at 4 ohms minimum load, then it |
| Ohms however some professional PA or Disco | | | | is wise to just connect a single speaker to each |
| amplifiers such as Peavey, and QSC etc and some | | | | channel to avoid overload. |