Speaker impedance question

theskintman · 12th May 2007, 05:57 PM

Hello all,

I've just picked up a pair of Wharfedale Glendale 3XP. They have a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. I have an EL34 PP tube amp with taps for both 4 and 8 ohms, but not for 6. I've done a bit of reading, but want to make sure I don't blow up my amplifier before connecting them!

As I understand it, I could connect them to the 8 ohm taps, but would be losing out a bit on the sound, but connecting to the 4 ohm taps would overwork the tubes and is bad news. Long-term, I think I should solder in a couple of 2 ohm resistors, but again, being new to all this, not really sure.

My speaker's stats are below:

Nominal impedance: 6 ohms
Max input 40 watts
Sensitivity 86Db

Thanks for the help

Hartono · 12th May 2007, 06:11 PM

Posted by theskintman :

"I could connect them to the 8 ohm taps, but would be losing out a bit on the sound, but connecting to the 4 ohm taps would overwork the tubes"

I think it works the other way around, go with the 4 ohm tap. You might think that you lose a little bit of max power output, but speaker is not resistive, so at some frequency the amp is dissipating more than the impedance looks. also as a bonus you might get lower distortion as well, since the tube see a lighter load compared to 8 ohm tap connection.

tinitus · 12th May 2007, 06:16 PM

Isnt it the other way round ...... I am no expert but would think that you will save the tubes when connecting 6ohm speakers to the 4ohm tap

theskintman · 12th May 2007, 06:22 PM

Just as well I asked! I read on this page

"On tube amps, lowering the impedance increases the workload on the tubes, which often makes the amp sound fatter but does so, alas, at the expense of reducing the tube's lifespan."

Hence my previous statement. Guess I misunderstood.

sreten · 12th May 2007, 06:25 PM

Hi,

Whatever you do, do not use 2R series resistors, will turn bass to mush.

TBH which taps you use will probably not make much difference,
4 ohm will be cleaner, 8 ohm will go a touch louder before clipping.

/sreten.

Hartono · 12th May 2007, 06:25 PM

enjoy your 4 ohm tap !!!

theskintman · 12th May 2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hartono
enjoy your 4 ohm tap !!!

I am, and it's bloody marvellous

Thanks guys.

12th May 2007, 05:57 PM	#1
theskintman diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk, UK	Speaker impedance question Hello all, I've just picked up a pair of Wharfedale Glendale 3XP. They have a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. I have an EL34 PP tube amp with taps for both 4 and 8 ohms, but not for 6. I've done a bit of reading, but want to make sure I don't blow up my amplifier before connecting them! As I understand it, I could connect them to the 8 ohm taps, but would be losing out a bit on the sound, but connecting to the 4 ohm taps would overwork the tubes and is bad news. Long-term, I think I should solder in a couple of 2 ohm resistors, but again, being new to all this, not really sure. My speaker's stats are below: Nominal impedance: 6 ohms Max input 40 watts Sensitivity 86Db Thanks for the help

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12th May 2007, 06:11 PM	#2
Hartono diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: currently in China	Posted by theskintman : "I could connect them to the 8 ohm taps, but would be losing out a bit on the sound, but connecting to the 4 ohm taps would overwork the tubes" I think it works the other way around, go with the 4 ohm tap. You might think that you lose a little bit of max power output, but speaker is not resistive, so at some frequency the amp is dissipating more than the impedance looks. also as a bonus you might get lower distortion as well, since the tube see a lighter load compared to 8 ohm tap connection.

12th May 2007, 06:16 PM	#3
tinitus diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005	Isnt it the other way round ...... I am no expert but would think that you will save the tubes when connecting 6ohm speakers to the 4ohm tap

12th May 2007, 06:22 PM	#4
theskintman diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk, UK	Just as well I asked! I read on this page "On tube amps, lowering the impedance increases the workload on the tubes, which often makes the amp sound fatter but does so, alas, at the expense of reducing the tube's lifespan." Hence my previous statement. Guess I misunderstood.

12th May 2007, 06:25 PM	#5
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, Whatever you do, do not use 2R series resistors, will turn bass to mush. TBH which taps you use will probably not make much difference, 4 ohm will be cleaner, 8 ohm will go a touch louder before clipping. /sreten.

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