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Why are low impedance speakers harder to drive than high impedance speakers

I don't understand the electrical reason for this. I look at it from a mechanical point of view. If I have a spring that is of less resistance, and push it with my hand, it takes little effort, and I am not working hard to push it. When I have a stiffer spring (higher resistance)  I have to work harder to push it. This is inversely proportional when we are looking at amplifier/speaker values.

So, when I look at a speaker with an 8 ohm rating, it is easier to drive than a speaker with a 4 ohm load. This does not make sense to me, although I know it to be true. I have yet been able to have it explained to me that makes it clear.  Can someone explain this to me in a manner that does not require an EE degree?

Thanks

128x128crazyeddy
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
gs5556,
That is a very good analogy!
I’ve often wondered why given the reality of Ohm’s Law, why do many speaker designers revert to 4 ohms rather than 8 ohms (or higher) speaker impedance. As Al noted in his reply, Ralph (Atmasphere) has pointed out that the higher the impedance load ,the lower the amplifier  distortion produced (which is a desirable result you'd think).

It would seem that a concerted effort to design easier to drive high impedance speakers would yield obvious benefits. The most logical explanation for the plethora of lower impedance speakers is that the higher impedance speaker is probably more difficult to implement to get things right and presents more design challenges.
Charles
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
In a related matter, Roger Modjeski of Music Reference recommends hooking up your speakers to a tube amp on the lowest impedance tap that provides the power you need. So if an amp puts out 45 watts at 8 ohms and 30 at 4, and 30 watts is enough for your needs (with the combination of speaker sensitivity, room size, listening level, etc.) with an 8 ohm speaker, use the 4 ohm tap for lowest power amp distortion and best sound. 
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy OP
347 posts
 

Lots of food for thought here. Thanks guys for all your responses to help me see this a little clearer. As charles1dad pointed out, in response to Ralphs explanation, it does seem to be (at least to me) in the best interest of design, to provide a speaker with a higher impedance value. So why would a designer go the other direction?

Oh, boy, where will this be leading the thread

unsound
6,115 posts
 
Charles1dad, sometimes a speaker designer will add components to a cross-over to lower the impedance  in order to make the impedance flatter/smoother. Sometimes lowering the impedance allows for more current delivery in order to facilitate stronger bass response.
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
I think the trend towards speakers with lower impedance corresponds to the trend for speakers to be smaller yet more full range to fit into people’s lifestyle. Also as we know from experience the best sounding gear is not always the ones that measure lowest in distortion. Lower impedance tougher load speakers just means amps must work harder. Some are able do that much mbetter than others. Newer more efficient amp technologies like Class D perhaps do it best. Class D offers a much larger higher pressure "garden hose" for your speakers.   For example I have 500 w/ch class d amps that can deliver almost 40 amps of current  that are about the size of a shoebox.    My harder load speakers shine and easily surpass my smaller easier load ones with these.     


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