first post - do I have a problem here?

[irolllow 10+ year member]

Here is the situation and concerns regarding my mobile a/v system...

I have an Alpine IVA-W205 source unit. I am assuming that the built-in amplifier of this source unit is rated and designed to operate with speakers rated at an impedance of 4 ohms.

Running off of the head unit's built-in amplifier, I have a set of Infinity Kappa 6 x 9coaxial speakers in the rear of the car and a set of Infinity Reference 2-way components in the front of the car. When I bought and installed these speakers I did not know that they were all rated at a 2-ohm impedance. However, I have read reviews and whatnot that state that the Infinity speakers ( though rated at 2 ohms ) actually have an impedance closer to 4 ohms due to Infinity's " true 4 ohm " technology or something like that. Is this true?

Assuming that the Infinity speakers have an actual impedance of 2 ohms, am I potentially damaging the built-in amplifier of my source unit by running 2-ohm loads off of each channel?

If I am potentially damaging the source unit's built-in amplifier, I am know that I can solve this problem by simply buying and installing an external amplifier to power the speakers ( as long as the amplifier is stable at 2 ohm loads ). However, I am also concerned with the fact that running 2-ohm load speakers will decrease my system's sound quality as opposed to running 4-ohm load speakers. Did I mess up by buying these speakers?

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[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

I would try calling Alpine to see what the minimum ohm load on their HUs.

 

[irolllow 10+ year member]

I would try calling Alpine to see what the minimum ohm load on their HUs.

That is a good suggestion and I will definitely do that. Thanks a lot for the input.

However, I still need to know if the Infinity speakers are truly 2-ohm speakers or if their " true 4 ohm " technology makes it to where they are actually operating at a 4-ohm load though rated at 2-ohms.

Also, I would appreciate you guys' input on the last part of the question concerning the decrease of sound quality by running an external amplifier at 2 ohms.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

It would be difficult to NOT get better sound from an external amp.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

If you have a digital multi-meter, then it would help you figure out the impedence of the speakers.

 

[irolllow 10+ year member]

It would be difficult to NOT get better sound from an external amp.

I understand that, but I think I may have asked the question in a confusing manner. Let me rephrase it...

Assuming that the Infinity speakers are actually 2-ohm speakers and I run them off of an external amplifier that is stable at 2 ohm loads, how much sound quality am I sacrificing in comparison to a setup of similar quality products that operates at 4 ohms?

Hopefully that makes more sense.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

I understand that, but I think I may have asked the question in a confusing manner. Let me rephrase it...
Assuming that the Infinity speakers are actually 2-ohm speakers and I run them off of an external amplifier that is stable at 2 ohm loads, how much sound quality am I sacrificing in comparison to a setup of similar quality products that operates at 4 ohms?

Hopefully that makes more sense.

Zero.

 

[irolllow 10+ year member]

If you have a digital multi-meter, then it would help you figure out the impedence of the speakers.

I have a basic knowledge of audio, but I am not a professional by any means ( or even close to it ). To be honest, all of the factors that influence electrical impedance would confuse me to the point that my actions would probably be useless without a more-experienced installer present.

 

[irolllow 10+ year member]

Zero.

Considering the fact that achieving the best sound quality that I can with the setup that I have is my main goal, that makes me feel better. I have no problem buying a couple of external two-channel amplifiers and an external signal processor if the impedance turns out to be an issue.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

Considering the fact that achieving the best sound quality that I can with the setup that I have is my main goal, that makes me feel better. I have no problem buying a couple of external two-channel amplifiers and an external signal processor if the impedance turns out to be an issue.

i don't know of many, if any, aftermarket HUs that do 2-ohm loads. Little chip amps and such won't take the abuse long.

I run a dead-head.

 

[irolllow 10+ year member]

i don't know of many, if any, aftermarket HUs that do 2-ohm loads. Little chip amps and such won't take the abuse long.I run a dead-head.

After reading your statement, could it be reasonable for me to consider the fact that these speakers have been running off of my built-in Alpine head unit for a while now as an indicator that the speakers actually operate at 4 ohms as opposed to 2 ohms?

From what you posted, I am left with the assumption that this system would not be operating properly if the speakers were actually 2-ohm speakers.

 

[BurnOne]

Different impedance / ohm loads = more or less power. Lower the ohms = higher power, in MOST situations. There are some amps that this is not true.

 

[BurnOne]

I run a dead-head.

FTW. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif