Speaker Impedence

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Tony F - 27 Aug 2006 21:20 GMT

As we all know, OEM Bose systems have speakers that are very low
impedence...1/2 ohm, or 1 ohm, or something like that.

Is there any way, in terms of adding resisters and the like, to lower the
impedence of regular speakers from 4 ohm down to 1/2 or 1 ohm? Something
that I can do myself and be able to replace the Bose speakers with my own?

Or, if this isn't possible, are there any manufacturers out there that make
very low impedence speakers?

Excuse my ignorance. I've always been ohm-challenged.

Tony

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2001 Nissan Maxima SE Anniversary Edition
Clarion DRZ9255 Head Unit, Phoenix Gold ZX475ti, ZX450 and Xenon X1200.1
Amplifiers, Dynaudio System 360 Tri-Amped In Front and Focal 130HCs For Rear
Fill, Image Dynamics IDMAX10 D4 v.3 Sub

2001 Chevy S10 ZR2
Pioneer DEH-P9600MP Head Unit, Phoenix Gold Ti500.4 Amp, Focal 165HC
Speakers & Image Dynamics ID8 D4 v.3 Sub

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Acoustics Z-Series Speakers, Alpine SBS-05DC Center Channel Speaker,
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KU40 - 28 Aug 2006 00:12 GMT

puttin resistors in-line does very little, becuase while it drops th
impedence, half the power just gets wasted through heat through th
resistor anyways, so there is really no extra power going to th
speaker

all you can do is replace the speakers and take the power hit, or els
replace the head unit and/or get an external amp to power the ne
speakers

lowest speaker impedences I've seen are 2 ohm, by infinity kappas
orion HCCA's, and I think image dynamics made some. but buying fo
impedence only is sort of the worst way to buy because it has no affec
on sound (given the same power)

--
KU40

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Tony F - 28 Aug 2006 04:01 GMT

"but buying for impedence only is sort of the worst way to buy because it
has no affect on sound (given the same power)."

Thanks for your response. I understood everything you said except for this
last sentence (see above).

Tony

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eezip - 29 Aug 2006 08:15 GMT

As long as your amplifier doesn't overcurrent, there's no reason i
can't run a 1 or 0.5ohm load. Try it out. That is pretty darn low, bu
keep the gain low and give it a shot. You might be fine. If the am
cuts out or goes into protect at high volumes, then it's pretty clea
it can't support that load.

Of course, this only works if the amp has good overcurrent protection
Every amp should have, but it's possible some amps can't fully protec
themselves. Try it at your own risk

--
eezip

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Tony F - 29 Aug 2006 10:40 GMT

Eezip,

This has nothing to do with trying to run any amps at low impedance loads.
I'm trying to find speakers to replace the Bose speakers, which are 1 or 2
ohms, or something like that.

Tony

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MOSFET - 29 Aug 2006 21:37 GMT

> This has nothing to do with trying to run any amps at low impedance loads.
> I'm trying to find speakers to replace the Bose speakers, which are 1 or 2
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Oh, sorry Tony. I didn't read this message before I posted the other. Oh

well, what I said still stands of course. ;)

See ya,

Nick

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MOSFET - 29 Aug 2006 21:36 GMT

Not good advice, I'm afraid Tony. I know EEZIP means well but I blew an amp
once (a Rockford Fosgate Punch 75, an amp KNOWN for it's reliability) doing
EXACTLY what he is recommending. But then again, I have seen others who
have done this with amps not rated for those impedences with no problems.
Of course, it all depends on the amp, but THERE ARE DANGERS. Frankly, if
you value the amp, I wouldn't do it.

Nick

> As long as your amplifier doesn't overcurrent, there's no reason it
> can't run a 1 or 0.5ohm load. Try it out. That is pretty darn low, but
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Every amp should have, but it's possible some amps can't fully protect
> themselves. Try it at your own risk.

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