EXAMPLE
Think of it this way--a garden hose of 1" diameter (diameter represents resistance) is presented with X amount of water (water represents current), and under these parameters, waterwill squirt 25 Feet.
Let's lower the resistance (increase the hose diameter to 4") and present the same amount of current (Water)....now the water simply trickles out the end of the hose.
So, and hopefully this is somewhat clear, the less the resistance of the speaker (impedance) the more current the amplifier has to product for all else to be equal.
In the absence of proper current the amplifier can and probably will, go into 'oscillation' trying to produce current with the transistors, for want of a simple example, and literally burn itself up.
Current is the ingredient which 'drives' the speaker, so to speak. For convenience in 'matching' speakers with amps, Dsper, manufacturers rate the speakers as to their impedance. Generally giving a 'nominal' figure. Speakers are generally REACTIVE not purely resistive, meaning that at different frequencies they present different resistance it's an approximation.
An amplifier is thought of as 'high current', if it keeps doubling into half resistance. Example: 100 WPC into 8ohms, 200 WPC into 4 Ohms, and 400 WPC into 4 Ohms.
The less resistance the speaker presents, the more current the amplifier must produce, in order to 'fill the pipeline.'
I hope this is clear.
If you have further questions you can reach me at lrsky@insightbb.com or I can supply a phone number, and we can talk in person. Actually, matching speakers and amplifiers is an important goal in audio in a host of areas, this being just one.
Good listening.
Larry
Think of it this way--a garden hose of 1" diameter (diameter represents resistance) is presented with X amount of water (water represents current), and under these parameters, waterwill squirt 25 Feet.
Let's lower the resistance (increase the hose diameter to 4") and present the same amount of current (Water)....now the water simply trickles out the end of the hose.
So, and hopefully this is somewhat clear, the less the resistance of the speaker (impedance) the more current the amplifier has to product for all else to be equal.
In the absence of proper current the amplifier can and probably will, go into 'oscillation' trying to produce current with the transistors, for want of a simple example, and literally burn itself up.
Current is the ingredient which 'drives' the speaker, so to speak. For convenience in 'matching' speakers with amps, Dsper, manufacturers rate the speakers as to their impedance. Generally giving a 'nominal' figure. Speakers are generally REACTIVE not purely resistive, meaning that at different frequencies they present different resistance it's an approximation.
An amplifier is thought of as 'high current', if it keeps doubling into half resistance. Example: 100 WPC into 8ohms, 200 WPC into 4 Ohms, and 400 WPC into 4 Ohms.
The less resistance the speaker presents, the more current the amplifier must produce, in order to 'fill the pipeline.'
I hope this is clear.
If you have further questions you can reach me at lrsky@insightbb.com or I can supply a phone number, and we can talk in person. Actually, matching speakers and amplifiers is an important goal in audio in a host of areas, this being just one.
Good listening.
Larry