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Topic: changing speakers |
Joe Jones
From:
Arkansas, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2016 5:25 pm |
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| I don't know a thing about electronics,so can you change a 4ohm speaker to an 8 ohm speaker? |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2016 5:36 pm
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Yes! You will have a bit lower volume but just turn the knob up a bit. You can actually run two 8 ohm speakers in place of one 4 ohm speaker. But it will certainly hurt nothing to use an 8 ohm speaker.
Dave |
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Bruce Derr
From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2016 7:02 pm
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| Or, if you mean, "can you change the impedance of a raw speaker from 4 to 8 ohms," the answer is also yes, but it requires getting the speaker reconed, which is relatively expensive. |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 3 Jul 2016 9:24 pm
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Ah! I may have misunderstood the question. I was understanding you meant replacing a 4 ohm speaker with an 8 ohm. But indeed if you're asking to change the actual speaker rating from 4 to 8 then yes. But it has to be reconed to those specs. Good catch Bruce!
Dave |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 4 Jul 2016 5:32 am
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| Replacement baskets are available for some speakers (certain model Peavey Black Widows come to mind)which would leave the original basket intact should you wish to change back to the 4-0hm configuration. You may want to check to determine if your magnet will bolt readily to the new basket before ordering however as most places do not accept returns on speakers or components. |
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Joe Jones
From:
Arkansas, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2016 6:56 am changing speakers
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| Thanks everyone for the responses. Joe |
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Joe Jones
From:
Arkansas, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2016 7:06 am changing speakers
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| I have a 4ohm speaker that blew I have a separate 8ohm that I want to totally replace the 4ohm with the 8ohm is that ok to do that? Joe |
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Chris Boyd
From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 4 Jul 2016 8:12 am
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Yes. You'll have a somewhat reduced output, but many people think 8s sound better
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Joe Jones
From:
Arkansas, USA
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Posted 4 Jul 2016 1:35 pm changing spkrs
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| thanks everyone for the info. Joe |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 5 Jul 2016 9:44 pm
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| Quote: |
| I have a 4ohm speaker that blew I have a separate 8ohm that I want to totally replace the 4ohm with the 8ohm is that ok to do that? Joe |
I have to respectfully disagree with some statements above.
1. It's NOT always OK to replace a 4-ohm speaker with an 8-ohm speaker. Some amps are very tolerant of 100% impedance mismatches...and some are not. You need to find out from the amp manufacturer what will and won't work safely with the the amplifier.
2. "You can replace a 4 ohm speaker with 2 8 ohm speakers" is totally misleading. 2 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel would create a 4 ohm load, which would be the same as you have now. But if they were wired in series you'd have a 16-ohm load. That's unacceptable in most amps designed for 4 ohm load.
I suggest you both check with the amp manufacturer and visit a few speaker manufacturer's websites - they usually have example circuits of how to wire speakers for various impedance loads. Also, be aware that impedance and DC resistance are NOT the same, and if you actually measure a "4 ohm" speaker it'll likely measure around 3.2 ohms (a 8-ohm around 7.6 ohms).
But back to the basic question - you can't determine if it's OK to use an 8 ohm speaker in place of an original 4 ohm speaker without knowing if the amp will tolerate the difference in load.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Doug Hall
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2016 9:57 pm
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Can you replace a 4 ohm speaker with an 8 ohm speaker? The answer is: It Depends. It may be dangerous if you're talking about an amp with a vacuum tube output stage, but ok with a solid state amp.
In an amp with a solid-state output, you CAN replace the speaker with one of higher impedance.
Danger: Solid state amp connected to speaker load LESS than specified. (Over-current, burnt-up speaker and amp output stage. Worst-case scenario, turning amp on with shorted speaker wire, the ultimate low-impedance load (0 ohms).
In an amp with vacuum tube output, you CAN replace the speaker with one with LOWER impedance.
Danger: Tube output amp and speaker load MORE than specified. (a thing called 'flyback voltage' related to speaker damping) Worst-case scenario, turning amp on with no output load (no speaker load, infinite resistance).
A "little" more or less probably won't be noticeable, unless you're operating the amp at maximum output. In any case, if you operate the amp/speaker at other than designed values, you're wasting some of the design effort that went into producing an amp/speaker with good power output and frequency response. A mismatch will result in less power output from the speaker, and possibly a change to the tone. |
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