rats!

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zipidachimp

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rats!
« on: 24 Nov 2007, 08:49 am »
my new tweeters arrived today (HI-VI sd1.1a) but are marked 5 ohms. are these safe in an 8 ohm system? the ad read 6 ohms.
where can I learn this stuff? :oops:

JLM

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Re: rats!
« Reply #1 on: 24 Nov 2007, 12:59 pm »
zip,

Impedance ratings of drivers are only a nominal (average) value, so don't have a cow.  The difference between 5 and 6 ohms is almost negligible, but the difference between 5 and 8 ohms should be taken into consideration (the 5 ohm driver will be a couple of dBs more efficient).

zipidachimp

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Re: rats!
« Reply #2 on: 24 Nov 2007, 06:44 pm »
my main concern is in damaging my receiver. lots more expensive than tweeters. thanks.

JLM

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Re: rats!
« Reply #3 on: 24 Nov 2007, 07:12 pm »
Yes low impedance loads can hard hard on cheap amps, but a decent receiver should be OK, especially with 5 ohm tweeters.  Its the total load that matters, and tweeters use less than 10% of the power anyway.

zipidachimp

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Re: rats!
« Reply #4 on: 25 Nov 2007, 09:18 am »
thanks again.  apart from the 'net, is there a text that covers all these issues? my library has building texts, but they are very light on wiring and impedance issues.
For instance, why are multiple woofers used in many designs? my ob with one woofer sounds just fine, why would I want two? why not two tweeters? :o
haven't found the answer to any of these. :roll:

JLM

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Re: rats!
« Reply #5 on: 25 Nov 2007, 10:48 am »
Sorry zip, I know there are a couple of good handbooks out there, but not the exact names.  Try searching AC or Amazon.  Maybe the Junior audiophile or Starting circles would have that information (if not they should).  Or try asking one of the AC speaker builders.

Higher frequencies is what the ear senses direction from as lower frequencies are omni-directional.  (Sound waves wrap around objects in proportion to their wavelength.)  So two tweeters would blur the imaging (like seeing crossed-eyed).  Also the energy output at higher frequencies is very low compared to bass frequencies (that's why woofers are bigger).  As open baffle is the least efficient way to reinforce bass frequencies, the demand on woofers is increased all the more, so some resort to using additional drivers.  Also distortion is reduced when excursion (driver movement in and out) is limited.


zipidachimp

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Re: rats!
« Reply #6 on: 25 Nov 2007, 07:56 pm »
thanks, very helpful. will continue searching :P

TerryO

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Re: rats!
« Reply #7 on: 25 Nov 2007, 09:36 pm »
thanks again.  apart from the 'net, is there a text that covers all these issues? my library has building texts, but they are very light on wiring and impedance issues.
For instance, why are multiple woofers used in many designs? my ob with one woofer sounds just fine, why would I want two? why not two tweeters? :o
haven't found the answer to any of these. :roll:

Zipi,

There is always the "Bible" of speakerbuilding, namely Vance Dickason's "The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook".  It covers everything, and a lot more, than you probably want to know. It's gone through at least 6 or 7 (8?) editions now. Parts Express, among others, has them on sale from time to time, or Amazon might be another source.
When you completely understand everything in that book, you're ready to start your own company  :green:.

Best Regards,
TerryO

zipidachimp

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Re: rats!
« Reply #8 on: 26 Nov 2007, 07:45 am »
on order from another library! thanks :drool: