Ohms and speakers

[aldive]

I see in the literature about speakers with different ohms. Would someone please explain this to me?

Thanks.....

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

An ohm is a unit measuring electrical resistance. Resistance is the degree to which
electrical current is opposed in a circuit. Every speaker and every amp has a
certain resistance or ohm rating. The lower the ohms, the lower the resistance.

When you connect a speaker to an amp, the ohm rating of the speaker tells you how fast the speaker wants to draw current, and the ohm rating of
the amp tells you how fast the amp wants to provide current to the speaker. If a speaker has too low an ohm rating relative to the amp, it wants to draw more current than the amp can provide and tends to overheat the amp.

 

[nosaj122081]

Not being an ass, speakers have impedence, not resistance... Resistance is (for the most part, excluding the effects of temperature and such) a static measurement, impedence isn't (a 4 ohm speaker is usually not 4 ohms while playing). Ok, so maybe I was being an ass, but just a little one ...

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

im·ped·ance (m-pdns)
n.
1) Symbol Z A measure of the total opposition to current flow in an alternating current circuit, made up of two components, ohmic resistance and reactance, and usually represented in complex notation as Z = R + iX, where R is the ohmic resistance and X is the reactance.

2) An analogous measure of resistance to an alternating effect, as the resistance to vibration of the medium in sound transmission.

 

[nosaj122081]

Yeah, thats what I said, just WAY more complicated and in depth ... Hell, I don't even think it was quite that complex when they taught it in my electrical engineering class they made me take, LOL. What it breaks down to is the voice coil has resistance (the copper wire) all the time, but the perceived load by the amp varies due to the changing impedence of the speaker.

 

[aldive]

You fellows may argue all you want, but, will someone please answer my question?

Thanks....

 

[DOGMAN]

Al,

Most normal car speakers have a nominal impedence of 4 ohms. This is the load on the amplifier. There are speakers with impedence ratings from 2 to 16 ohms for home and auto (many home speakers are 8 ohm), but unless you're getting into something esoteric, your basic 4 ohm car speaker should suffice.

There is a matter of efficency also. A 4 ohm speaker will be more efficient (louder) with a given amount of power than an 8 ohm speaker will be. That's originally why car speakers were made with a lower impedence (4 ohms), because you used to not have as much power in your car as you did in your home. Of course that's not the case these days, where big power in car systems is easily bought, and they're designed to drive 4 ohm loads and even lower. Esoterically, there are all kinds of parameter tradeoffs to consider, but it doesn't sound like you really want to get into all that @%$#.

Are you looking to purchase speakers for your X?

 

[aldive]

Thanks for the concise answer.

YES, I am in the speaker market. I appreciate any help and advise.

Thanks....

 

[DOGMAN]

What's your plan of attack? Are you just wanting to replace your factory speakers, or are you thinking of buying a whole new system? What does your factory system consist of? What are you trying to accomplish with new speakers? Louder, cleaner, both? It would help to know what you're trying to do.

If you're looking to upgrade the factory speakers, your only limit is your wallet. And it would help to know your taste. Do you like to listen to Mozart at a moderate level, or do you want to crank up Molly Hatchet until your ears bleed? Many choices out there, I'm sure there's something just right for you.

 

[aldive]

I have the new JVC MP3 deck and am adding a MTX amped sub in the storage area of the rear.

I do not care for loud, I want nice clean, clear music.

I generally listen to oldies ( like me ) and Country/Western music.

Thanks....

 

[DOGMAN]

Sounds like you have a very good system in the making.

It also sounds like we have similar desires in our music. I'm an "oldie" (age) also, and my musical tastes are wide and varied; country, rock, jazz, etc., anything that is produced by talented people.

There are tons of choices for speakers, the easiest narrowing down factor being how much do you want to spend? Without knowing your budget, an excellent speaker line that can be somewhat expensive, but VERY good, is MB Quart. Some of the best speakers I've ever heard.

Knowing your budget is the first plan of action.

 

[aldive]

Price is not a problem; I want quality.

Thanks....

 

[aldive]

What about Polk DX7 vs plate speakers; I am not sure I want the installation difficulties of components.

 

[MSTNGGUY88]

I love Polk Audio speakers. They are very clear and clean and don't distort when tuned up high as long as they are provided with the proper power.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by MSTNGGUY88
I love Polk Audio speakers. They are very clear and clean and don't distort when tuned up high as long as they are provided with the proper power.

What power are you running to these speakers?

Also, do you have them in front and rear?

Thanks.....

 

[MSTNGGUY88]

I have a Kenwood 4-channel amp that puts out 75 watts RMS per channel. Yes the front and rear. I was an idiot when i first went to install them in the rear doors thinking since they are a little deeper than the stock speakers that the window would hit them when it was rolled down. I feel so stupid though because i forgot the back windows don't even go but half way down in the first place.

 

[aldive]

I am just curious, but, why did you install them in the rear also?

Thanks....

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Polk DX7s are on sale for $83.95 at http://www.mmxpress.com From what I heard they sound great even running off stock HU power.

 

[MSTNGGUY88]

They might be good on stock power. I have used Polk in all my rides but they have all been run off amps with new stinger speaker wire. I just wanted all my mids and highs to sound crisop and clean. If I would have left the rear stock then you would hear them distort. I hate the sound of distortion and since I was going to spend the money i'm was going to change it all.

 

[Kontrol-Trak]

Originally posted by aldive
Price is not a problem; I want quality.

Thanks....

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