4 ohms Vs. 8 ohms

hejiraent
hejiraent Posts: 126
edited March 2004 in Electronics
Is there a reason why speakers are made at 4 ohm instead of 8 ohms? I am so green on the subject I don't even know if I phrased the question right:confused:

In other words, Why 4 ohms why not universal 8 ohms on everything?
ADCOM GTP-830 (pre-amp)



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Comments

  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited March 2004
    Years ago the industry sort of went with an 8 ohm standard. This was mainly do to introduction of solid state amplifiers. To me this is kinda sad. There are plenty of great sounding 16 ohm speakers out there still. There's also some great sounding 4 0hm speakers, but these will never be fully appreciated with most amplifiers. Many amplifiers and receiver may be rated for 4 ohms, but when push comes to shove, they suck.
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  • hejiraent
    hejiraent Posts: 126
    edited March 2004
    Gidrah,
    Have you had any experience using a Parasound amp with 4 ohm speakers?
    ADCOM GTP-830 (pre-amp)



    FREE THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE!
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited March 2004
    I used a Parasound HCA-1500A to drive Magnepan MMGs and MG12s which are 4 ohms and inefficient speakers without any problems.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2004
    Parasound amps have the current capability to drive a single pair of 4 ohm speakers...as stated above.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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