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Does impedance matter?

In all my post readings, the #1 question category is the 'Does It Match' question. This is usually addressed as a speaker / amp question.
Most responders start with impedance.
Of all the things to look for in a speaker impedance is down the list. I have looked at at many speakers measured by reputable testers. 8ohm 'nominal'? These guys are all over the place from 3ohm in mid frequencies to 20 ohms+ at resonance. Some are 4 or 5 ohms from 200hz to 1khz...prime musical turf.
Is it easy to drive? Well, it's an 8 ohm speaker, so it should be. Not so fast, there. This is only part of the story.
Please check out this link::http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/technical-articles/228-a-secrets-technical-article.html?start=1

The Smith Chart is a fine way to visualize the quality of load a speaker may actually represent.

When looking at a speaker then, it is important in evaluating the load it represents by not only the impedance, but the inductance and capacitance as well. As voltage leads or lags current, the strain goes back to the amp.
Please see this link for an explanation / details.
http://sound.westhost.com/patd.htm

Just watching Diana Krall in Paris on the TIVO.

magfan

Showing 3 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Magfan,

Excellent point. It begs the question why most speakers and amplifiers are not built as a matched set - what I mean is specifically engineered amplifiers for each driver/load. It also begs the question why designers put capacitance and inductance in the high level signal path right at the last stage - in the speaker crossover. In fact, one might ask if there is any logic to the way most amplifiers and most speakers are made independently.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Shadorne, Nothing wrong with what you suggest but
what if someone doesn't like the 'sound' of SS amps, normally used by
manufacturers in thier powered speakers?

Then they are in luck because the majority of speakers are passive.

And, who sez that anything about this hobby, other than
marketing and product pricing, has anything to do with the exercise of 'logic'.

Exactly my point. Logic has NOTHING to do with it! Many people claim they want
"High Fidelity" but what they really want (and will part with large
amounts of disposable income for) is most often something else.

So does impedance matter? I would say not for the majority of people who
would ignore an impedance plot but might spend hours picking the right
veneer.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Stanwal,

You make excellent points and I am in complete agreement.

most audiophiles want the capability of altering the sound of their system. This may be good or bad, but it is the simple truth

This statement just about sums it up. However it presents another illogical paradox when confronted with the concept of EQ or tone control. Most purists shun these tools yet good or bad, they also seek the capability of altering the sound of their system. Go Figure. (And they used to say that you can never understand a woman....but hang on, most audiophiles are men!!!)
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