car stereo connected to 32 ohm driver?

scwten13 · 10th August 2011, 02:09 AM

What would happen if I connect a 32 ohm headphone driver to a car stereo receiver rated for 2 to 4 ohms with 40w output? If it will detonate the rec can someone tell me what components are needed to stop the ensuing smoke cloud? Thanks.

theAnonymous1 · 10th August 2011, 02:21 AM

Ever watch the 1987 film "The Gate"? Gateway to hell is all I'm sayin'.

Actually, worst case is you fry your little driver with ~2W of power.

sofaspud · 10th August 2011, 05:58 AM

What are you attempting to accomplish? Are you trying to add a headphone output to your head unit?

scwten13 · 11th August 2011, 02:59 AM

OK, I know that headphone drivers use just millwatts of power, so 2w would melt things, but wouldn't the resistance of the drivers drop the wattage? It has been a long time since I studied the PIE triangle. And yes, Sofaspud, I am attempting to run headphones with a car (boat) stereo, on my motorcycle in the helmet to be exact. I posted the same question earlier, but got no useable response, so I tried again using fewer words. I am not using the 3 pole 3.5mm plug and jack, I found a source for a 4 pole 3.5mm plug and jack, so combining grounds isn't an issue any more. The output of the head unit is 40 watts for 2 to 4 ohms, the resistance of the drivers is 32 ohms. Thanks is advance for the help.

infinia · 11th August 2011, 03:38 AM

use an L pad to knock levels down to about 20dB or so, try 110 ohms series followed by10 ohm parallel wired across the headphone socket.

theAnonymous1 · 11th August 2011, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scwten13

.... but wouldn't the resistance of the drivers drop the wattage?

Yes, down to around <2W with a 32-Ohm load.

2W is still way too much, so you need to make a voltage divider like infinia suggested.

Perry Babin · 11th August 2011, 12:28 PM

You should know that people won't look out for motorcycles. You need to be as aware as possible of your surroundings and having headphones (or audio in your helmet) will block out sounds that you really need to hear.

ppia600 · 17th August 2011, 01:45 AM

You could also use a dual isolation transformer wound to get the ideal drop and prevent headphone obliteration.

scwten13 · 18th August 2011, 02:42 AM

And how would I come across a dual isoaltion transformer?

AKHeathen · 18th August 2011, 08:18 AM

dumb question, but the reciever doesn't have rca out? and, what is the purpose of the driver? how much power does it drive to the headphones?

10th August 2011, 02:09 AM	#1
scwten13 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2011	car stereo connected to 32 ohm driver? What would happen if I connect a 32 ohm headphone driver to a car stereo receiver rated for 2 to 4 ohms with 40w output? If it will detonate the rec can someone tell me what components are needed to stop the ensuing smoke cloud? Thanks.

10th August 2011, 02:21 AM	#2
theAnonymous1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Anonymityville	Ever watch the 1987 film "The Gate"? Gateway to hell is all I'm sayin'. Actually, worst case is you fry your little driver with ~2W of power. __________________ "If you don't like funerals don't kick sand in Ninja's face." - Ninja

10th August 2011, 05:58 AM	#3
sofaspud diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Antonio TX	What are you attempting to accomplish? Are you trying to add a headphone output to your head unit? __________________ It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from enquiry. - Thomas Paine

11th August 2011, 03:38 AM	#5
infinia diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication	use an L pad to knock levels down to about 20dB or so, try 110 ohms series followed by10 ohm parallel wired across the headphone socket. __________________ like four million tons of hydrogen exploding on the sun like the whisper of the termites building castles in the dust

11th August 2011, 12:28 PM	#7
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	You should know that people won't look out for motorcycles. You need to be as aware as possible of your surroundings and having headphones (or audio in your helmet) will block out sounds that you really need to hear. __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links


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11th August 2011, 02:59 AM	#4
scwten13 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2011	OK, I know that headphone drivers use just millwatts of power, so 2w would melt things, but wouldn't the resistance of the drivers drop the wattage? It has been a long time since I studied the PIE triangle. And yes, Sofaspud, I am attempting to run headphones with a car (boat) stereo, on my motorcycle in the helmet to be exact. I posted the same question earlier, but got no useable response, so I tried again using fewer words. I am not using the 3 pole 3.5mm plug and jack, I found a source for a 4 pole 3.5mm plug and jack, so combining grounds isn't an issue any more. The output of the head unit is 40 watts for 2 to 4 ohms, the resistance of the drivers is 32 ohms. Thanks is advance for the help.

17th August 2011, 01:45 AM	#8
ppia600 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Louis y ana	You could also use a dual isolation transformer wound to get the ideal drop and prevent headphone obliteration. __________________ Don't worry... you can always turn the gain down!

18th August 2011, 02:42 AM	#9
scwten13 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2011	And how would I come across a dual isoaltion transformer?

18th August 2011, 08:18 AM	#10
AKHeathen diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Anchorage AK	dumb question, but the reciever doesn't have rca out? and, what is the purpose of the driver? how much power does it drive to the headphones?

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