what is the difference between wiring a sub to 4 ohm than 1 ohm? if you have an amp that is 4 ohm stable and another amp that is 1 ohm stable, is one going to hit harder than the other or will they sound the same?
thanks
It has to do with the power the amp with produce at a given load.
The speakers you connect to an amplifier create the 'load' on the amp. In the case of a single 4-ohm driver, the load on the amp is then 4-ohms. The woofer will recieve how ever much power the amp is rated for at that impedence or "ohm-rating."
If you wire two 4-ohm woofers together, the impedence then becomes 2-ohms, and the amplifer will produce as much power as it is rated for at 2-ohms.
1-ohm works the same way. Generally, as you decrease resistance, or ohms, amplifiers will produce more power.
Most amps are not stable below 2-ohms, PG makes many amps that are, but they are the only reasonably priced brand that comes to mind. As the amp pushes more power into less and less resistance, it will also heat up, which is why most amps are not designed for 1-ohm operation.
Why don't you tell us what amps you are looking at and what subs and we'll tell ya the best way to wire it eh?
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Also remember that as you lower the resisitance you raise the total harmonic distortion levels as well. There won't be a huge difference from 2ohms to 1ohm but the will big a big difference from 4 ohms to 1ohm. I guess it all depends on what you are try to get out of your system, SPL or SQ?
If you are looking for SQ then try to stay in the 4 ohm range. Most amps worth talking about like JL, PG, Arc, Memphis and MTX put out pretty low distortion levels at a 4ohm load.
Chris
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you really do just have to match everything up, if you run subs at 4 ohms on an amp designed to go down to 1, you wont get all the power out, but if you have it the other way, and you have a 1 ohm load on a 4 or 2 ohm capable amp, you will end up with more smoke then thud.. so look at what your buying, match them up, and try to find an amp that has resonably low thd..
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