Difference b/w same driver 4 vs 8 ohms

[johninCR]

Some drivers come in both 4ohm and 8ohm versions and when you compare their specs they are virtually the same except the Le and Qes are lower for the 4ohm version. My question is what is the physical difference between the two ? Is there a generalized effect on frequency response? Is it something that would be a fairly simple modification as a DIYer ?

[Dick West]

Do you mean a DIY mod to the driver itself or a difference in how it is used, the size of its box, the components in the crossover?

One obvious feature is that it will play louder at 4 ohms than at 8, assuming your amplifier can provide the added current. You can't change the driver's manufactured impedance.

Automobile drivers are often at 4 ohms, home systems at 8 ohms.

[johninCR]

I'm talking about modifying the driver itself. That's why I would like to know the physical difference between 2 otherwise identical drivers. Is it a different number of turns of wire on the VC? A different gauge of wire on the VC? Would there be much effect on 1w/1m sensitivity or overall FR?

[Cal Weldon]

Costa Rica man,

I'd like to know also. One of those questions, I've just never asked. If I were to guess, I would think it has something to do with the thickness of the coating on the magnet wire. Can't see it being a thinner wire, I'd think there would be power issues there.

Looking forward to knowing.

Cal

[johninCR]

Cal,

I don't know about the coating idea because I don't see that changing the Le. Maybe it's just less turns of the same magnet wire on the coil, which would reduce Le, but what effect would that have on efficiency and response?

I ask because I need a pair of high efficiency, low impedance full range drivers. If it's just a matter of detaching the surround and spider, then unwinding some of the VC, and putting it back together, then I'm willing to give it a try unless I can expect a corresponding decrease in sensitivity or adversely affecting the FR.