@audiokinesis
Darn it, you beat me to it :) We had the same thought…
Darn it, you beat me to it :) We had the same thought…
Speaker impedance patterns - how to read them?
I know this has probably been discussed ad nauseam, but here's my question. I'm grateful for any sensible opinion.
Premise.
A speaker system may have a complex impedance pattern that can vary from 3-ohms to 30-ohms depending on frequency. Some speaker systems with similar impedance patterns may be stated as being 8-ohm loads because the speaker is 8 ohm in an important part of its frequency response, but only there.
A tube amp, as a voltage amplifier, likes a regular impedance pattern. Almost no speaker system has a constant, regular impedance pattern. I am aware that solid state, powerful amps are built to compensate for modern speakers' complex impedance patterns, but there are tube amps around and people who love them. It's difficult to understand what average load a given speaker system will present to the amp.
Question.
When looking for suitable speakers for a tube amp - mine is a PrimaLuna EVO 100, 40w x 2 from EL34s - what must be looked at? How to best interpret the impedance pattern, whenever available? Assuming that one listens at normal levels in a medium-sized room, what are the criteria for matching speaker and amp?
Thanks for your views. M.
Premise.
A speaker system may have a complex impedance pattern that can vary from 3-ohms to 30-ohms depending on frequency. Some speaker systems with similar impedance patterns may be stated as being 8-ohm loads because the speaker is 8 ohm in an important part of its frequency response, but only there.
A tube amp, as a voltage amplifier, likes a regular impedance pattern. Almost no speaker system has a constant, regular impedance pattern. I am aware that solid state, powerful amps are built to compensate for modern speakers' complex impedance patterns, but there are tube amps around and people who love them. It's difficult to understand what average load a given speaker system will present to the amp.
Question.
When looking for suitable speakers for a tube amp - mine is a PrimaLuna EVO 100, 40w x 2 from EL34s - what must be looked at? How to best interpret the impedance pattern, whenever available? Assuming that one listens at normal levels in a medium-sized room, what are the criteria for matching speaker and amp?
Thanks for your views. M.
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- 46 posts total
@perkri Your example of the ESL is an Electrostatic speaker. The op is trying to learn how to read impedance chart of a loud speaker. Duke did give an excellent representation of how a solid state amp reacts to a speaker load vs a tubed amp. Which also shows why impedance compensation on a speaker design can be helpful. Your analysis of a crossover design can be true of how it effects a impedance curve, but this is normally due to how an inductance coil reacts to the EM field and natural inductance of the drivers. Depending on drivers, it may be very beneficial to use a series or parallel design based on crossover point and what type of inductors are needed. But for the op's question and in general learning to read an impedance chart, my original response is less confusing for that purpose. |
@timlub Last I checked, the 57’s are indeed a loudspeaker. And they have an impedance curve. Brought them up because of the demanding impedance curve they present to an amp. They are a good point of discussion when dealing with amp/loudspeaker matching. The amp needs to deal with peaks and dips properly. So as not to over drive the low impedance, and under drive the high. pretty simple. |
Here's an interesting view on Understanding Speaker Sensitivity. Higher sensitivity certainly makes life easier, but my main consideration is SQ and keeping well below limits so that peaks and fast attacks are handled with aplomb. The same goes with amplifiers. The golden rule is never get even close to maximum specifications. |
- 46 posts total