Impedance matching - Hifi - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ratiocination · 12-04-2004, 09:54 PM

I seem to be in a fix. My hifi recently conked out and i got a new micro hifi. But i am not satisfied with the bass quality in the micro hifi, and i want to hook up my old speakers to it, but i'm worried about the impedancing matching issues.

my microhifi has a recommended speaker impedance of 8 ohms. The speakers that I want to use have an impedance of 6 ohms.

Could someone help me out ?

brandon11983 · 12-04-2004, 11:24 PM

Don't worry about it. The lower impedance speakers will simply cause the amp to work harder. As long as you don't go crazy with the volume, you should be fine.

ratiocination · 12-05-2004, 02:33 AM

Thanks brandon..i'll make sure I dont blow the system up

Nelson · 12-06-2004, 09:20 AM

Brandon is correct - a difference of 2 ohms will not make a major difference. Besides, during regular playback your speakers impedance will most likely rise much higher than 6 ohms.

flat5 · 12-19-2004, 12:10 PM

The speakers from your old system may be much less efficient than the ones that came with the mini system. Check (using same source material) the volumn knob position for a given sound level on both speaker systems.

If the volumn has to be much higher for the old speakers, you may have a problem. Use your hand and check for cabinet or heat sink heat the first time you play something that is continuously loud (rock music?) every 2 minutes. If it amp is getting very warm after a few minutes, you might have a problem.

It would be nice to know the RMS safe output per channel of the amp.

Make sure the amp can breath. Don't restrict the air flow to it.

jujueye · 12-24-2004, 11:11 PM

Speakers have a somewhat variable impedance rating, too. Depending on the frequency being played, the impedance could be anywhere. Most speakers are listed, however, by their nominal or average rating. No worries. I think brandon has you on the right track anyway.

the420star · 12-30-2004, 07:02 AM

i concur with the group, the 6 ohm will just make the amp work harder. Make sure it isnt getting hot, and dont crank the volume. On the same note, turn it on and make sure you are happy with the soud quality.

12-04-2004, 09:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
ratiocination Tilted	Impedance matching - Hifi I seem to be in a fix. My hifi recently conked out and i got a new micro hifi. But i am not satisfied with the bass quality in the micro hifi, and i want to hook up my old speakers to it, but i'm worried about the impedancing matching issues. my microhifi has a recommended speaker impedance of 8 ohms. The speakers that I want to use have an impedance of 6 ohms. Could someone help me out ?

12-04-2004, 11:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
brandon11983 Stereophonic Location: Chitown!!	Don't worry about it. The lower impedance speakers will simply cause the amp to work harder. As long as you don't go crazy with the volume, you should be fine. __________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.

12-06-2004, 09:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nelson Tilted	Brandon is correct - a difference of 2 ohms will not make a major difference. Besides, during regular playback your speakers impedance will most likely rise much higher than 6 ohms. __________________ Nelson

12-30-2004, 07:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
the420star Psycho Location: Cow Country, CT	i concur with the group, the 6 ohm will just make the amp work harder. Make sure it isnt getting hot, and dont crank the volume. On the same note, turn it on and make sure you are happy with the soud quality. __________________ No, they arnt breasts, they are personalities, because its ok to like a girl for her personalities.

12-05-2004, 02:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
ratiocination Tilted	Thanks brandon..i'll make sure I dont blow the system up

12-19-2004, 12:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	The speakers from your old system may be much less efficient than the ones that came with the mini system. Check (using same source material) the volumn knob position for a given sound level on both speaker systems. If the volumn has to be much higher for the old speakers, you may have a problem. Use your hand and check for cabinet or heat sink heat the first time you play something that is continuously loud (rock music?) every 2 minutes. If it amp is getting very warm after a few minutes, you might have a problem. It would be nice to know the RMS safe output per channel of the amp. Make sure the amp can breath. Don't restrict the air flow to it.

12-24-2004, 11:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
jujueye alpaca lunch for the trip Location: in my computer	Speakers have a somewhat variable impedance rating, too. Depending on the frequency being played, the impedance could be anywhere. Most speakers are listed, however, by their nominal or average rating. No worries. I think brandon has you on the right track anyway.