Another newbie question: amps for 4ohm speakers

crouse
crouse Posts: 34
edited October 2012 in Electronics
If an amplifier only gives power specs as into 8ohms, is there any other spec that will tell you if it can easily power 4ohm speakers?
Thanks
Post edited by crouse on
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2012
    A rule of thumb is that if a spec is missing then it is not supported. 4 ohm speakers are common, and amp manufacturers know it.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2012
    Which amp are we talking about exactly ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited October 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    A rule of thumb is that if a spec is missing then it is not supported.

    Never heard that one before.
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  • Blownrx7
    Blownrx7 Posts: 137
    edited October 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    A rule of thumb is that if a spec is missing then it is not supported. 4 ohm speakers are common, and amp manufacturers know it.
    Not supported may be a little harsh but you can bet the performance is NOT as good as you would hope. If it was, you can bet the mfr would be listing it in the specs.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2012
    tonyb wrote: »
    Which amp are we talking about exactly ?

    Hate to quote myself, but untill we know this, everyones just guessing.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • bthogan
    bthogan Posts: 151
    edited October 2012
    Maybe current capacity, or peak current capacity. It's in amperes. The higher, the better.
    Marantz CD6004
    Adcom GFP-750
    McCormack DNA-1
    Polk LSi9s
    Signal Cable ICs
    Blue Jeans cables
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  • crouse
    crouse Posts: 34
    edited October 2012
    Sorry, been away from the computer. The question specifically concerns a Music Hall a15.2
    Thanks
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  • gigbyt
    gigbyt Posts: 145
    edited October 2012
    Something with autoformers would work.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2012
    I wouldn't drive current hungry speakers with that amp as it'll overheat (LSi15), but there are many easy to drive 4 ohm speakers (Klipsch) that would be fine.
    Jake
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