OHMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm

[Oldslowhand]

If I use a 4ohm speaker cab with an 8ohm amp or conversly a 16ohm cab Just what effect and or damage would this have.I don't intend to try this just curious but isn't the ohm rateing nominal depending on signal sent to the speakers. Has anyone tried this and what happened.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: OHMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm

For lack of a better technical explanation. Running a 8 ohm load into a 4 ohm speaker will stress your component's. If you must mismatch ohmage, It's better to go into a higher # speaker (i.e) 8 ohms into a 16 speaker. Your not going to get optimal performance with a mismatch.

 

[Oldslowhand]

Re: OHMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm

Yes I Know all that I just wanted to Know How bad.
Would you blow output tubes or damage the transformer?,
overheat the coils in the speakers ?
could you safely get away with it in an emergency ? (the show must go on etc)
any you must not in any cir..............? I'd like the nut & bolts not the science please

 

[MDS]

Re: OHMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm

It depends on the amp. Well engineered tube amps (Mesa, etc) could handle a lower load (4ohm speaker) in an 8ohm output, but the tubes would wear out more quickly. They'd certainly last a gig in a pinch. Going the other way you'd be sending more power to the speaker. If the speaker can handle 2x the wattage of the amp you might be okay, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

Mike

 

[Chaos]

Re: OHMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm

Impedance mismatching reduces the efficient transfer of electrical energy (amplifier) to mechanical energy (speakers) The unused / reflected energy is dissipated as heat, mostly in the output transformer of your power amp.

A well made transformer can take some abuse, but there are no guarantees.
Transformers are usually the most expensive components in you amplifier.