sensitivity ratings 1w/1m + 2.83v?

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

ive seen some subs use the 1w/1m and some with the 2.83v, so whats the difference?

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[Raven 10+ year member]

I know it doesn't always equal 1 watt. I think, don't quote me on this, that as the impedance goes up 2.83v creates more power. Like it would be 1 watt at 4 ohm, but 2w at 8 ohm.

 

[Electrodynamic 10+ year member]

Quite the oposite actually. At 8 Ohms, 2.8 volts is close to 1 watt. At 4 Ohms, 2.8 volts is higher than 1 watt.

Looking at sensitivity ratings to determine your subwoofer of choice, however, is not the right way to go about it. If so, PA subwoofers would rule. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Quite the oposite actually. At 8 Ohms, 2.8 volts is close to 1 watt. At 4 Ohms, 2.8 volts is higher than 1 watt.
Looking at sensitivity ratings to determine your subwoofer of choice, however, is not the right way to go about it. If so, PA subwoofers would rule. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/iagree.gif.15d6c075ee8d3913ba26866d06993068.gif

That stinky old Hoffman's Law can be a PITA sometimes.

And as Electro said though....2.83V on a 4ohm speaker is essentially 2w, so you would need to subtract 3db from the rated sensitivity to arrive at the actual 1w rating. If the driver is 8ohm, no adjustment is necessary.

It's simply Ohms Law;

P = V^2/R

P = 2.83^2/4

P = 2w

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

mmhmmm....and at 1w you would need to subtract a whole 9 dB... dont let D2 speakers with 2.83v ratings fool you.

Thouhg sensetivity shouldnt be looked at, dont get a drive with a super low sensetivity....look at the Rl-s...it takes 3kW to get it moving good....

 

[Electrodynamic 10+ year member]

You also need to look at what impedance the drivers were tested at. Ours are tested at 4 Ohms (coils in series) with the 1W/1M method. Not all dual 2 Ohm drivers are tested at 1 Ohm. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif Look at the nominal impedance and RE of the parameters in question to see what impedance configuration the driver was tested at. But as I, and others have stated, it's not all about sensitivity. From a sheer sensitivity standpoint ours can be considered "average" for the super-sub category, but they do just fine off of 300 watts or so. Take a look at some of the SPL-only subs like the RFL with its 93 dB sensitivity. Do you think it takes less power to get it moving than it does ours or a Brahma? I can stand on the RFL's cone and have it move less than 5mm. Yes, it is a purpose-built driver, but I'm just trying to demonstrate how sensitivity means very little when considering the next amalgamation into your subwoofer system.