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What does Nominal Impedance mean?

What does Nominal Impedance mean?

I’m trying to decide on some new speakers (Clarisys Minute). They are rated at 86-88 sensitivity and a nominal impedance of 3.5 flat. Although graphs show it about 6 ohms from 20hz-500hz and at 2Khz and above about 3 ohms.

My present speakers, Focal Sopra 2 are rated as 91 sensitivity and 8-ohm nominal impedance, but minimum is 3 ohms.

So, I am presently using Bob Carver 350 amps (rated as 350 Amps/channel 8 ohm and 400 watts /channel 4 ohm) which are tube mono blocks. and I like to crank it up at times!

Can someone explain about Nominal Impedance and if my amp(s) will have a problem driving the Clarisys Minute speakers?

ozzy

128x128ozzy

Showing 1 response by pedroeb

pedroeb
493 posts
 

So, does a 4-ohm speaker play louder than an 8-ohm speaker with the same amplifier and volume setting?

It's entirely dependent on speaker's sensitivity and output level, which is usually measured at 1 m.

On the other hand, an amplifier will output more power with lower impedance.

Here's the output of Hypex NC400:
580 watts at 2 ohms
400 watts at 4 ohms

200 watts at 8 ohms

If you were to measure a speaker with DC you'd get a resistance. If you were to measure it with AC at various frequencies, you'd get impedance.
 

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