Speaker Impedance, or Ohms, Explained in a nutshell

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This is based on connecting speaker cabinets in series (the most common way) and this theory applies 'per side'. So one 8 ohm speaker each side (with 8 guards) means the system runs at 8 ohms. 2, 8 ohm speakers per side (Sub and top) means you only have 4 guards per speaker, per side, so the system runs at 4 ohms.

[SevenDeMagnus]

Cool, I get that on the multimeter it uses the Ohms setting but what's the difference between measuring ohms with resistance (for resistors) and impedance for the speakers? Is the speaker acutally a huge resistor then?

[theamiablematt]

Hi, everyone! So I have been using our home theater for a year now. I'm currently studying DC circuits on a Computer Engineering program so that's why I have a less knowledge on impedance matching. The scenario is that the home theater runs 5.1 channels with the port of subwoofer rated at 4 ohms. The current subwoofer is a 4-ohm subwoofer at 250 watts. What does it mean by the watt rating of the speaker when the total output power of the amplifier is 1000? The case is that I feel that the subwoofer does not give that much bass. So I'm planning on upgrading my subwoofer to a 14 inch from a 10 inch. I found a 14 inch subwoofer on our nearby appliance store and have it tested. I was beyond satisfied by the bass it gave. The 14 inch subwoofer is rated at 300 watts at 8 ohms. My question is: What exactly will happen if I'll hook it up to my receiver? Will it sound the same as to what I felt on the store? Will it burn the amplifier? Or somewhat, the speaker(the planning to buy, 14 inch)? It's Pioneer that already has a casing. Take note that this subwoofer is a powered one. The one that is needed to be plugged.

A detailed help to my problem is very much appreciated, guts . :)

Advanced thanks to you and cheers for your knowledge on impedance matching. :)

[VJMountOlympus]

Perhaps you mean "in parallel." In series (one speaker connected to the next, the ohms will ADD together to create MORE ohms of resistance. In parallel (all speakers wired to the amp individually), they will divide the ohms down to LESS ohms of resistance. Not claiming to be an expert, but that's the basics. More complete explanation I found at:

[FlamingCuntLips]

I've got a pair of my dads kenwoods home thearter speakers. Unfortunatley the amp was binned due water damage :/ They have a small tweet/omni at 6ohms 15W and a mid range at 8 ohms 50W. Could you give us some advice on how to even out the impedance ?

I've heard of friend awhile back using a resistor across the terminals to add an extra 2 ohms to say a 6 ohm. Would this safley work  ? and would it respond like a normal 8 ohm speaker in calculations ?

[youtuberocks]

Hi my car speakers are 1ohm Bose.My power amp is 400watt 4 ohms.Will this cook my speakers?Can I use a 3-ohm resistor to make it 4 ohms?

[MsStanleyr]

G, Day. Is this if speakers are connected in series or parallel ?

[djritchieritch]

Hi Everyone .. can i use 4 ohms tweeter in ALTO TS315 speaker ?

[drummerdawson]

i have 2  200watt rms  400watt peak  8 ohm speakers. my amp is 270watt at 8ohm a side. is this a good match ?. any advice would be a help. cheers.

[widowmaker]

this just explains that this guys speakers don't shake the ground, I wouldn't buy a pair of 1500 watt rms rated subs for my car just to have them restrict a 3000 watt amp....That would be stupid. As for sub woofers rms is the rating you look for followed by lower ohms and a large enough amp to push them at the combine total of the subs rms. They usually advertise the peak watts on subs, pay no attention to that number as your rms is your consistent.

[djphillmp]

Get active speakers and it will solve all the problems. Simple as that.

[louf]

That attempt was too watered down. It seemed to miss the concepts and to even mix them up. Thanks for trying though.

[The.JZA.]

Depends if you're running in parallel or series, bad analogy