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Power Amp Doubling Output at 4 Ohm

Hi, all,

Another random musing. From time to time, I see ads that mention such and such power amp can double its output from 8 ohm to 4 ohm (and even double again from 4 ohm to 2 ohm). To me, this does seem to be a highly desirable, quantifiable, quality. I don't know anything about the engineering behind equipment design, so here is my question. Is this an important parameter to you? If not, why not?

Thanks for your inputs.
millicurie999

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,556 posts
 
The issue is really how important this is to with the way we perceive sound! Being able to double power as impedance is cut in half (or cut power to 1/2 as impedance is doubled) will allow flat frequency response with certain types of speaker but definitely not **all** speakers (IOW the speaker has to be designed to expect this behavior out of the amp and not all are- some are designed for amps that **won't** double power). There are also more important things to the human ear that can supersede the importance of flat frequency response. Sensing spatiality (soundstage) and the presence of odd-ordered harmonics (5th, 7th and 9th) are two examples of that.

see
http://www.atma-sphere.com/papers/paradigm_paper2.html

for more information.
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