Do ohms on speakers and amps matter??

[Eduardo Hydes]

i have a pair of psb stratus minis that are 4 ohms, but my amp says it only can handle a minimum of 8 ohms if i connect the speakers to the amp. Will my speakers get damaged??

So that means i need a new amplifier right.????

[ArthurPE]

what amp?
hard to believe it's only rated for an 8 ohm load
probably won't damage the speakers as long as you don't overload them (but that could happen with any amp)
the amp, if rated for 8 ohm, may overload on 4 ohm...

[schaefer11]

Originally Posted by Eduardo Hdez

i have a pair of psb stratus minis that are 4 ohms, but my amp says it only can handle a minimum of 8 ohms if i connect the speakers to the amp. Will my speakers get damaged??

So that means i need a new amplifier right.????

What kind of amplifier do you have?

The amplifier will be more likely to be harmed if there is a speaker/amp mismatch. It will overheat, and hopefull shut down. But it might "cook" itself and be permanently damaged.

Some 4 ohm rated speakers are very easy on an amplifier and could be safely driven by many 8 ohm rated amplfiers. But the opposite is also true, some 4 ohm speakers are difficult to drive and could harm the amplifier.

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by schaefer11

What kind of amplifier do you have?

The amplifier will be more likely to be harmed if there is a speaker/amp mismatch. It will overheat, and hopefull shut down. But it might "cook" itself and be permanently damaged.

Some 4 ohm rated speakers are very easy on an amplifier and could be safely driven by many 8 ohm rated amplfiers. But the opposite is also true, some 4 ohm speakers are difficult to drive and could harm the amplifier.

+1

Dave

[Socal Sam]

In general, 4 ohm speakers are harder on amps and will cause them to generate extra heat. If the amp runs cool, then you are likely OK.

[PHC1]

At 4 ohms you are asking an amp for 2x the current ad compared to 8. If the amp is not rated for 4 ohms, I wouldn't go there. Yes, you may be able to get away with it at lower levels and think it's ok but soon enough you'll want to turn it up a bit higher and....

[tdelahanty]

Originally Posted by PHC1

At 4 ohms you are asking an amp for 2x the current ad compared to 8. If the amp is not rated for 4 ohms, I wouldn't go there. Yes, you may be able to get away with it at lower levels and think it's ok but soon enough you'll want to turn it up a bit higher and....

Thank you for realizing that half the resistance (load) doubles the current. That is the killer of poorly designed amps. Too much current ='s too much heat ='s fried chicken

[Eduardo Hydes]

Originally Posted by schaefer11

What kind of amplifier do you have?

The amplifier will be more likely to be harmed if there is a speaker/amp mismatch. It will overheat, and hopefull shut down. But it might "cook" itself and be permanently damaged.

Some 4 ohm rated speakers are very easy on an amplifier and could be safely driven by many 8 ohm rated amplfiers. But the opposite is also true, some 4 ohm speakers are difficult to drive and could harm the amplifier.

my amp is a onkyo tx-sv90pro integrated amp.

[Eduardo Hydes]

Originally Posted by PHC1

At 4 ohms you are asking an amp for 2x the current ad compared to 8. If the amp is not rated for 4 ohms, I wouldn't go there. Yes, you may be able to get away with it at lower levels and think it's ok but soon enough you'll want to turn it up a bit higher and....

thanks now im thinking in buying a new amp.

[Face]

If you clip your amp, you can take out your tweeters.