8 ohms hits harder than 2 ohms

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=97841
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 7:11 PM

Topic: 8 ohms hits harder than 2 ohms

Posted By: matthew0148
Subject: 8 ohms hits harder than 2 ohms
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 1:50 PM

why does my jl audio 10v2w6 d4 hit harder at 8 oms then at 2 ohms? my amp is 400 watts at 2ohm mono, and if my math is right 100 watts at 8ohms. my box is built to jl specs also.someone please explain this to me. my amp is a kicker kx400.1 one channel btw.

Replies:

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 2:01 PM

Because it's not all about wattage. The speaker/enclosure combo and/or the amp probably functions better in that configuration.

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Posted By: matthew0148
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 2:24 PM

just on a curious note, what would be a good amp for the w6?

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 3:21 PM

Expanding on DYohn's post:

He's completely right - it's NOT all about "watts". At 8 ohms, the damping factor of the amplifier is 4 TIMES higher, affording far better control over the woofer cone. The output distortion is perhaps an order of magnitude lower, as well. This is EXACTLY why I am not a fan of loading an amplifier to it's maximum rated load (i.e. minimum rated impedance). One last point, your efficieny improves as well, meaning less wasted energy.

Also, depending on the amplifier, and how honest the manufacturer is in their specifications, I'm betting it's power output DOESN'T double with each halving of impedance (or halve with each doubling), so I'm betting your amplifier is probably making closer to 150 or 200 watts, not the 100 watts you are calculating. The difference in total SPL output will be about 3dB, hardly a noticeable level. if it "hits harder", and you are happy with it, leave it that way, your amplifier will last longer to boot! posted_image

Also on a curious note: Why are you asking? Do you have a crap amp right now, and you're just fishing for suggestions for a new one? posted_image

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Posted By: matthew0148
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 4:00 PM

i'm just getting ideas on a new amp. ive had this one for about 5 years and its getting worn out. plus i want something that would sound better......(not a fan of kicker)

Posted By: tcss
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 5:28 PM

I run JL 10" W6V2 in our stores demo car with a JL 500/1.

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Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 10:22 PM

could be that your gain is cranked and at 2 ohms its clipping the amp like hell and sounding like crap and at 8 ohms the gain is set just right so it is a cleaner signal.

Posted By: matthew0148
Date Posted: October 10, 2007 at 11:46 PM

ever so often on certain songs it will blow the fuse in the amp when it is at 2ohms. i have 40 amp fuses in both amp and power cable, could the gain cause this as well? or the crossover? or did them amps come with bigger fuses? like i said above its over 5 years old so..........

Posted By: aznboi3644
Date Posted: October 11, 2007 at 1:18 AM

how is is the gain and crossover set on the amp??

any boost on??

Posted By: matthew0148
Date Posted: October 11, 2007 at 3:44 PM

i just read some prior cases involving the gain and crossovers on this site, so i went and set it like it said too. so far no blown fuses in the amp.....but i would like to get a new amp!!! what are some good amps for a 10 inch w6 that wont break the bank?