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The under appreciated impedance curve

One thing that a lot of audiophiles don't look at or don't know how to interpret is the impedance curve. I call it the honesty curve too.

Of course, most audiophiles know to look for high imepedance speakers for tubes, and that low impedance speakers are going to be more amplifier demanding.

I also look for:


  • A drop in impedance at 100 Hz at or below 3 Ohms - Indicates "amplifier sensitive"
  • A ragged magnitude instead of simple, clearly defined humps. If the impedance is ragged it indicates highly equalized components.


One speaker which breaks both of these rules was just reviewed at Stereophile, the Wilson Yvette.


https://www.stereophile.com/content/wilson-audio-specialties-yvette-loudspeaker-measurements



Like all things, there are no absolutes but these are the things I look for in a speaker. What do you look for in the impedance curve?
erik_squires

Showing 1 response by audition__audio

audition__audio
1,619 posts
 
I cant think of a single reason why any speaker should be of a lower impedance other than perceived higher power with most S.S. amps. Fact remains that higher impedance speakers are almost universally easier to drive regardless of amplifier type. 

Stereophile has had a long love affair with Wilson. Gives me pause after numerous auditions of Wilson products. 
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