4ohms vs 8ohms

[Bert1]

I have just completed the instalation of a CD player in my boat and I noticed that the speakers I used (TEAC's waterproof indoor/outdoor) are rated at 8ohms while the CD Deck is rated at 4ohms. Will I damage my speakers or the CD Deck unit? The deck pushes up to 40w/chanel and the speakers can take 160w. Thanks!

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

That will work without ruining anything. As a rule from the stereo to speakers you can go up, but not down.

 

[Bert1]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

Great Gaugeguy, thanks for the fast reply. I suspect that I will be using more power to push the speakers though, so I must ensure that my battery is in good condition.

 

[red10]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

Bert, if your running 40 watts per channel, it really is 20 watts rms or constant at 4 ohms. Your 8 ohm speakers will cut your wattage in half, so in theory your putting 10 watts to each speaker.

 

[Bert1]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

Red, does this mean that I am actually needing less power to push a set of 8ohms as I would to push a set of 4ohms? I am getting confused

 

[raymondmoyer]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

Not less power to push them, less power going to them. an ohm is a measurement of electrical resistance. Think of it like a garden hose. The bigger the hose the less resistance. Same way when thinking of ohm' except the lower the ohm rating the lower the resistance. 8ohm is the nominal rating of home audio speakers. You can actually wire two 8ohm speakers in parallel for a 4ohm load. and get full use of that 20w rms a channel.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

Here's a link that will also help,,,,,<br /> <br /> http://www.elitecaraudio.com/home/html/article.php?sid=105

 

[Bert1]

Re: 4ohms vs 8ohms

Great information folks, this clarifies it for me. Thanks