Difference in resistance.

[bloodhound50 10+ year member]

When you have a 1 ohm load versus a 2 or 4 ohm load will it cause your amplifier to strain it self more than if it were pushing the same wattage at a 2 or 4 ohm load? Also will a 4 ohm load sound clearer and more natural than a 1 ohm load?

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[bloodhound50 10+ year member]

anyone?

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

When you have a 1 ohm load versus a 2 or 4 ohm load will it cause your amplifier to strain it self more than if it were pushing the same wattage at a 2 or 4 ohm load?

Generally yes it is harder on the amplifier as higher current output is required with lower impedance loads...and current is what creates heat...and heat is bad.

Here is an example; The PG Xenon 100.4 outputs relatively the same power into 4ohm, 2ohm aswell as 1ohm....but you can see how efficiency decreases substantially as the load decreases.

http://carsound.com/articles/publish/article_413.shtml

That said; If the amplifier is rated to handle the lower impedance it shouldn't put a significant enough strain on the amplifier that it causes it to fail. It was designed to handle those lower impedances.

Also will a 4 ohm load sound clearer and more natural than a 1 ohm load?

No.

Impedance has nothing to do with sound quality.

 

[bloodhound50 10+ year member]

Thanks, I heard from Polk when i called to see if my subs where dvc that the sound would be something with quality i forgot what he actually said tho it could have been efficiency.

 

[WhoSayWho? 5,000+ posts]

Generally yes it is harder on the amplifier as higher current output is required with lower impedance loads...and current is what creates heat...and heat is bad.
Here is an example; The PG Xenon 100.4 outputs relatively the same power into 4ohm, 2ohm aswell as 1ohm....but you can see how efficiency decreases substantially as the load decreases.

http://carsound.com/articles/publish/article_413.shtml

That said; If the amplifier is rated to handle the lower impedance it shouldn't put a significant enough strain on the amplifier that it causes it to fail. It was designed to handle those lower impedances.

No.

Impedance has nothing to do with sound quality.

Nice explanation. Always appreciated.