Ohms?

Simplified answer for the non-technical: As consumer stereo evolved, speakers manufacturers provided an "ohm" (electrical resistance) rating, so that consumers could match a speaker with their particular amplifier. This way done many, many years ago, before transistor amplifiers were even produced! Now what does that "ohm" rating mean to today's consumer , not really that much (unless he buys some exotic, old fashoned tube amp design of yore). If a speaker is rated at four ohms vs eight ohms, your amplifier may be able to produce more clean power into the lower ohm rated speaker, but this is a general statement at best. To reiterate: Unless you have some sort of exotic tube amplifier; this specification will not help you determine if one speaker is superior versus another. Four ohm speakers don't necessarily sound better than eight ohm speakers and visa versa.

Jim, I agree with your overall explaination...but....Many entry level audiophiles want to understand what are the pertinent specifications, of each component that they are considering for purchace. For an entry level audiophile to compare the "ohm" specifications of different speakers, and make a determination to which might be best for their modern amp, is darn near rediculous. Your explaination of the impedance curve of a speaker, and its potential implication on the amplifier chioce will intimidate the hell out of any newcomer to audio. Again, for those of you out there that are studying all of these "important" specifications, you don't have to become an undergrad in the understanding of electrical resistance (read: "ohms"), in order to choose good sounding electronics for your speakers. Don't let all of the above aforementioned explaninations intimidate you. They are just part of the "hobby". We seasoned audiophiles like to dig down deep into the electrical theories, even if they are not really needed in our purchace decisions.