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Damping Factor - Interesting article

Benchmark Media published interesting article on Damping Factor.  I already knew that it does not make much difference for the damping of the membrane, but low output impedance is necessary to drive changing impedance ot the speaker (ideal voltage source).  According to this article DF=100 produces about 0.5dB variations typically, while DF=200 reduces it to 0.1dB.  DF above 200 is inaudible.

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-damping-factor-isnt-much-of-a-factor?omnisendAttributionID=email_campaign_5eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2&omnisendContactID=5cf9266b15b61cc5a2a4dee7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+AUDIO+MYTH+-+%22DAMPING+FACTOR+ISN%27T+MUCH+OF+A+FACTOR%22+%285eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

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turnbowm
353 posts
 

djones512,195 posts06-06-2020 8:41am"What amplifer are you talking about turnbrown?...."

Marantz Integated Amps are a good example of DF specs with no load or frequency specified. Hegel, who prides themselves on very high DFs, list no load or frequency in their specifications.  
snapsc
676 posts
 
If there is benefit from going from 12awg to 11awg as Benchmark suggests, then why not go to 9awg?
djones51
4,947 posts
 
In the Benchmark paper it says most amplifier specs assume 8 Ohm whether that's true for Hegel and marantz I have no idea. What's interesting to me about the article is they are saying low DF of 10 or high as 10,000 is not an issue damping of driver motion but a low DF can affect the sound of speakers because of variations in impedance of the speaker. I notice the Hegel integrateds show a DF of 4000, I can't imagine a speaker bad enough to for the DF to matter at 4000.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
General observation:  much of the discussion above focuses on high DFs of 20, 200 or 2000.  I surmise that most amps that fall into those DF categories are solid state amps that are constant (or near constant) voltage sources.  

I was hoping Atmosphere (Ralph) would have chimed in because he manufacturers very fine tube amps that probably have output impedances in the single digits. 

Anyone have any thoughts about the db spread on tube amps, even those that use NF??

BIF
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