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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

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jond's avatar
jond
5,661 posts
 

+ another @milpai almarg is the one poster who could immediately answer any question! And I agree with @dweller nominal in this sense means average,

loomisjohnson
1,903 posts
 

Almarg was awesome. RIP.

michaellent's avatar
michaellent
178 posts
 

You could drive a car with those amps! +300W

randym860's avatar
randym860
131 posts
 

There are not many speakers those amps won't drive.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,209 posts
 

michaellent, randym860,

Well, that’s what I think, but sometimes you just never know how different components interact.

Still, it is so confusing trying to figure out the importance of speaker sensitivity and impedance when it comes to speakers.

Wonder why companies just don’t make speakers that are 8+ ohm and with high sensitivity? But it seems to be just the opposite, that is; many of the big-name speaker manufacturers produce speakers that are 4-ohm and low sensitivity.

Wonder why that is?

ozzy

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