Hey All,

Im planning on Running 8 X Eminence Alpha 6 Speakers for my mids.
These speakers come in different configurations for either 8 ohm or 4 ohm @ 100 Watts RMS

I am planning on getting a 4 channel amp that would produce power to Run 2 speakers in parallel at each channel.


For the parallel setup it will either be a final impedence of 2 ohm of 4 ohm loads per each amp channel. These are high sensitivity speakers.


Here lies the questions as im a bit confused:

1. Is there any difference in Sound quality when running at 4 ohms compared to 2 ohms?
2. Is running the amp at 2 ohms (Even if it is rated to be stable at 2 ohms) going to be harder on the amp?
3. Is less power to a 4 ohm setup going to be louder than more power going to a 2 ohm setup?
4. Basically, Is there going to be any difference at all whether i wire down to 2 ohms vs 4 ohms with these particular speakers to get the most out of them (sq and loudness)?


Thanks in advance for reading and replying.

 

1. Most amplifiers make more noise and distortion as the impedance gets lower, BUT you generally will never hear it.
2. Absolutely. Making more power means more heat and more stress. Nothing is free.
3. More power is always louder.
4. It all depends on how much power the amp makes at both impedances. If you run something like a JL HD where the power is the same from 1-4 ohms then it doesn't matter at all. The speakers don't care what load they get wired to, it's all about the amp.

 

Thanks for answering all my above questions Bud. You have been really helpfull
What would be your general recommendation? 2 ohm or 4 ohm? I see that most mid range speakers only come as low as 4 ohm impedence.

Far as i can tell, a 4ohm setup will be more expensive as the amp will cost more to find a 4 channel that puts out around 160 watts @ 4 ohms per channel. I see that alot of amps do this at 2 ohms and are generally cheaper.

For instance the clarion XH5410.:

HX Series 4-Channel Class AB Car Amplifier
RMS Power Rating:

4 ohms: 90 watts x 4 chan.

Typical Power Rating:

2 ohms: 160 watts x 4 chan.
Bridged, 4 ohms: 320 watts x 2 chan.


Would it be better for me to save up more cash and get a 4 channel that can produce at 4 ohms? and therefor get the eminence alpha 6 in 8 ohms instead?

I have so many questions i know, i just want to make sure before purchasing

 

The cheap ticket to high power output is to get a 4ch amp and bridge it to 2channels.

If your speakers are available in multiple impedances then it is better to choose your amplifier first and then get the right drivers to make it work properly.