Running 4ohm subs and 2ohm?

Tweeter400 · September 27, 2004

Would you blow a 4 ohm sub running 2 ohm to it? Could someone explain the whole ohm classification? I somewhat understand it but what is the advantage between 2, 4, 6, etc?

Also I have an Orion 500.2 which is rated for 1x500@4Ohm. What would happen if I tried to run them at 1Ohm? Would I just blow the fuse or the whole amp? Is there that much of a difference between 1 and 4 to make it worth my time?

I appreciate any help!

Thanks!

Steve Cornell · September 27, 2004

An amplifier is designed to supply a certain amount of power (watts) into a certain load (ohms) if you lower the load the power will increase as long as the amplifier is designed to handle the lower impedance (ohms).

If an amplifier will supply 100 watts to 4 ohms then "theocratically" it will supply 200 watts to 2 ohms and 400 watts into 1 ohm, it will also drop power when driving a higher impedance - 50 watts into 8 ohms, etc.

Most automotive amplifiers are designed to run 4 ohm loads however there are "high current" amps out there designed to drive 1 ohm or even lower loads, these are sometimes called "cheater amps", since all 12 volt amps are rated at 4ohms, a high current 100 watt amp could actually supply 800 watts into .5 ohm (as long as the amp is designed to drive this low impedance load)

You need to find out what your amp is designed to run impedance wise and don't wire your subs any lower or your amp will over heat.

If your running more than 1 sub remember that if you hook them up in parallel (+ to + & - to - ) your impedance (ohms) will be halfed (2 - 4 ohm subs will now be 2 ohms) and if you hook them up in series ( + to - and the + from 1 sub and the - from the other sub hooked to the amp) the impedance will double (2 4ohm subs will now be 8 ohms)

This is a very simple explanation, for more information look up Ohms Law.

Tweeter400 · September 27, 2004

In my assumption than, all lowering the ohm does is up your watts? It doesn't effect the quality of the sound, or the bass response?

Thanks!

2004GMC1500CC · September 28, 2004

In my assumption than, all lowering the ohm does is up your watts? It doesn't effect the quality of the sound, or the bass response?

Thanks!

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It affects your amp, not your subs.

Halen5150 · September 30, 2004

I'm not sure of the Orion XTR amps, but the Orion HCCA(red amps), are known to be .5 ohm stable. How many subs are you trying to run? You can only have a 1 ohm load if you have two dual 4ohm woofers, or one dual 2ohm woofer. I'm assuming you're only using one or two subs.