Difference between 4ohm and 2ohm speakers?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,469
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From: 310
Difference between 4ohm and 2ohm speakers?
I know this isn't an audio forum, but I would think someone knows the difference.
This is what I have....
Everyone talks about how adding an ARC or the like amp greatly improves their sound. Well, I beg to differ. I don't know if it's because I never had a factory system since my bike is an '09 EGS, so I never heard what it could have been like before the amp. I went straight with what you see in the pic. I just can't understand why I have to turn my head unit up to 3/4 to get loud. I'm thinking it may have to do with my speakers so I've been contemplating upgrading to the J&M 7.25's, but I don't want to purchase them if it's going to sound the same. Apparently these Alpines are 4 ohm.
What are the differences? Are they wired differently for 2 ohm?
This is what Crutchfield had to say.......
English terms would be nice since I'm not an audiophile.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds great at 3/4 volume. I'm just wondering if I need to look a little deeper into this system to get full potential.
This is what I have....
Everyone talks about how adding an ARC or the like amp greatly improves their sound. Well, I beg to differ. I don't know if it's because I never had a factory system since my bike is an '09 EGS, so I never heard what it could have been like before the amp. I went straight with what you see in the pic. I just can't understand why I have to turn my head unit up to 3/4 to get loud. I'm thinking it may have to do with my speakers so I've been contemplating upgrading to the J&M 7.25's, but I don't want to purchase them if it's going to sound the same. Apparently these Alpines are 4 ohm.
What are the differences? Are they wired differently for 2 ohm?
This is what Crutchfield had to say.......
The load value (in ohms) that the speakers present to the amplifier - the amount of resistance to the current flow. Low-impedance subs (less than 4 ohms) or multiple subs wired in parallel can cause problems with amplifiers which are not designed to deliver large amounts of current at a low impedance. This is especially important if you want to bridge your amplifier and run multiple subs.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds great at 3/4 volume. I'm just wondering if I need to look a little deeper into this system to get full potential.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
This link will have more information in it than you asked for. If you read through it, you'll understand the relevance of matching head unit/amp output impedance and speaker impedance:
http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm
If your head unit is 4 ohm impedance, and your speakers are 4 ohm impedance, they match and unless there's a problem with the head unit or speaker wiring, the unit is performing as intended.
If you're running more than two speakers, then the link's explanation of seried and parallel wiring may be relevant depending on how the head unit is wired.
Carl
PS: Couldn't tell from the pic what the ARC audio product is.
http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm
If your head unit is 4 ohm impedance, and your speakers are 4 ohm impedance, they match and unless there's a problem with the head unit or speaker wiring, the unit is performing as intended.
If you're running more than two speakers, then the link's explanation of seried and parallel wiring may be relevant depending on how the head unit is wired.
Carl
PS: Couldn't tell from the pic what the ARC audio product is.
Banned
Joined: May 2010
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The most important factor in matching speaker impedance is the output impedance of the source. Power transfer depends on how well the output impedance (the radio in this case) matches the load impedance (the speakers in this case). Unless the output impedance is the same as the load impedance, maximum power transfer will not occur and the sound can become distorted at high volume levels.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,469
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From: 310
OK, so I've looked at the Alpine, CNET, and Crutchfield sites and neither have the info on the ohms for the head unit unless I'm missing something.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IDAX...ures_and_specs
http://reviews.cnet.com/in-dash-car-...=mncolBtm;rnav
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ida-x100m
Any help?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IDAX...ures_and_specs
http://reviews.cnet.com/in-dash-car-...=mncolBtm;rnav
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ida-x100m
Any help?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
The amp should have ratings on it for what it's able to handle. Most commonly, amps are typically rated as "stable" at 4 ohms stereo or 2 ohms mono. Mono would typically be for hooking up a sub or two and "bridging" the amp. If you take 4 ohm speakers and wire them in series, you will have a 2 ohm load on the amp and it may not be able to handle that. Basically it will overdrive the amp and can cause it to overheat and shut down.
Having said that, you might be able to run 2 ohm speakers on an amp rated for 4 ohm stereo and be ok at moderate volume levels. Problem is we have to turn it up to overpower the wind and exhaust. You should get more volume (all things being equal), but "clean" power is the key to being able to crank it up and not damage the amp and speakers, and not getting distortion. Bottom line, better off not exceeding the load rating of the amp.
Having said that, you might be able to run 2 ohm speakers on an amp rated for 4 ohm stereo and be ok at moderate volume levels. Problem is we have to turn it up to overpower the wind and exhaust. You should get more volume (all things being equal), but "clean" power is the key to being able to crank it up and not damage the amp and speakers, and not getting distortion. Bottom line, better off not exceeding the load rating of the amp.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: 310
OK, so how do I know if it's running at 4ohm or 2 ohm?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
OK, so I've looked at the Alpine, CNET, and Crutchfield sites and neither have the info on the ohms for the head unit unless I'm missing something.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IDAX...ures_and_specs
http://reviews.cnet.com/in-dash-car-...=mncolBtm;rnav
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ida-x100m
Any help?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IDAX...ures_and_specs
http://reviews.cnet.com/in-dash-car-...=mncolBtm;rnav
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/ida-x100m
Any help?
Just checked the ARC website and they say the 125.2 mini amp is stable to 2 ohms stereo. Is that the one you have?
http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescr...125.2-mini.asp
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
That's dependent on the speakers. For your setup, you would want a 2 ohm speaker hooked to the left and right output on the amp. Otherwise, it would take 2 4ohm speakers wired in series to each output to get a 2 ohm load.