4ohms, 2ohms, 1ohm....whats better?

 

Silver Member
Username: Alexv305

Tavernier, FL USA

Post Number: 548
Registered: Oct-05
I know this may seem like a dumb question, but I just dont understand why amplifier companies have their amps put out their max RMS power into 1 ohm... Wouldnt amps run better and cooler at 2 and 4 ohms? Why dont they just make them put out their power at 2 and 4 ohms? Would it make the amp more expensive? I heard 1 ohm amps tend to run hotter and less efficient... What are the advantages and disadvantages of running 4, 2, and 1 ohm loads?
 

Gold Member
Username: B101

DD, RE, FI, TREO, KICKERUSA

Post Number: 4136
Registered: Sep-05
this has been argued countless # of times... maybe someone else will chime in, but Ill start it off..

a amp that is made to run @ 1ohm, will not encounter the problems you mentioned above... it will run just as cool, and efficient as a amp that was created for a 2ohm minimum load.

most companies uses 1 ohm, because current, like the least path of resistance. (mono block amps)

now, if a amp was created to run at .5ohms, then it will run just as cool and efficient as if it were created to run 1ohm, or 2, or 4...


you pick your subs 1st, and then decided what amp to get to maximize your subs. the amp must put out its rated full power output at your desired/final ohm load.
 

Gold Member
Username: Mixneffect

Orangevale, Ca. USA

Post Number: 1421
Registered: Apr-05
Yeah you got the idea.

Less ohms means less resistance against the amp. So the amp is able to push out more watts at lower ohms. For an amp to push out 1000 watts at 4 ohms, it requires a beefier power supply, etc..., as compared to one that can do it at 1 ohm.

Basically it is a cheaper way to get power.

DVC started to become popular in the early 90's. Manufacturers built DVC drivers for wiring purposes when stacking pairs of two, four etc... drivers in a single cabinet. This kept the resistence (ohms) at a manageable level.

Nowadays manufacturers build Multi-VC drivers because it is cheaper to get a Multi-VC driver than it is to find a suitable amp. So if you have drivers with multi-function, and amps with multifunction; then it is easier to match up the two :-)

Hope this helps
 

Gold Member
Username: Taylor17

Kopperl, Texas

Post Number: 3290
Registered: Jan-05
Yup, exactly.
If your amp is stable at 1 ohm, then it will have no problems.
Now, if your trying to run an amp at 1 ohm, and its only 2 ohm stable... you will have some problems.
Sound wise, there is no difference between ohms.
These guys hit the nail right on the head.
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