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Does impedance matter?

In all my post readings, the #1 question category is the 'Does It Match' question. This is usually addressed as a speaker / amp question.
Most responders start with impedance.
Of all the things to look for in a speaker impedance is down the list. I have looked at at many speakers measured by reputable testers. 8ohm 'nominal'? These guys are all over the place from 3ohm in mid frequencies to 20 ohms+ at resonance. Some are 4 or 5 ohms from 200hz to 1khz...prime musical turf.
Is it easy to drive? Well, it's an 8 ohm speaker, so it should be. Not so fast, there. This is only part of the story.
Please check out this link::http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/technical-articles/228-a-secrets-technical-article.html?start=1

The Smith Chart is a fine way to visualize the quality of load a speaker may actually represent.

When looking at a speaker then, it is important in evaluating the load it represents by not only the impedance, but the inductance and capacitance as well. As voltage leads or lags current, the strain goes back to the amp.
Please see this link for an explanation / details.
http://sound.westhost.com/patd.htm

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magfan
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Shadorne, Nothing wrong with what you suggest but what if someone doesn't like the 'sound' of SS amps, normally used by manufacturers in thier powered speakers?

And, who sez that anything about this hobby, other than marketing and product pricing, has anything to do with the exercise of 'logic'. :-)
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Shadorne, Nothing wrong with what you suggest but
what if someone doesn't like the 'sound' of SS amps, normally used by
manufacturers in thier powered speakers?

Then they are in luck because the majority of speakers are passive.

And, who sez that anything about this hobby, other than
marketing and product pricing, has anything to do with the exercise of 'logic'.

Exactly my point. Logic has NOTHING to do with it! Many people claim they want
"High Fidelity" but what they really want (and will part with large
amounts of disposable income for) is most often something else.

So does impedance matter? I would say not for the majority of people who
would ignore an impedance plot but might spend hours picking the right
veneer.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
Shadorne, while it is true that powered speakers have many advantages, they do not sell for one simple reason, most audiophiles want the capability of altering the sound of their system. This may be good or bad, but it is the simple truth. I was an Audio Pro dealer in the 80s, they made a powered speaker, the 4-14 I think, that was far ahead of it's time. I think I sold 2 pairs. When I sold Meridian I didn't even try to sell the speakers. In fact, many, if not most audiophiles select the amp before the speaker. I will agree with you that this is totally bass akward but unfortunately true. I must also admit that I use passive myself although I choose my amp to compliment the speakers I am using not vice versa. Our systems are chosen to reproduce music the way we ourselves hear it and active speakers limit that to a significant degree. The full development of unobtrusive digital tone controls may be the best path to active; Meridian is working along these lines but I am not really currant with their work.
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Stanwal,

You make excellent points and I am in complete agreement.

most audiophiles want the capability of altering the sound of their system. This may be good or bad, but it is the simple truth

This statement just about sums it up. However it presents another illogical paradox when confronted with the concept of EQ or tone control. Most purists shun these tools yet good or bad, they also seek the capability of altering the sound of their system. Go Figure. (And they used to say that you can never understand a woman....but hang on, most audiophiles are men!!!)
newbee
4,751 posts
 
There is nothing confusing about audiophiles rejecting the use of equalizers or other tone benders. Are we not he leading example of, and may actually define, what being a masochist really means? :-)

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