Difference in volume 8ohms vs 4ohms

[agedhorse]

On 11/02/2026 at 14:31, Stub Mandrel said:

 

As always good design and honest specifications trump all else. 

Of course accurate, honest specifications are important, but so is understanding the basic principles of the physics behind speakers (and transducers), which is where this whole thread/discussion has become so confusing. Lots of incorrect assumptions resulting in incorrect conclusions.

[SimonK]

4 hours ago, agedhorse said:

4 ohm 410's make a lot of sense because many 410's have a real world power handling of between 600 and 1000 watts RMS, and there's more available volume this was as a single cabinet solution. If you want 2 x 410's, than a 2 ohm capable amp is not that difficult to find.

 

It has nothing to do with valves versus solid state, there are plenty of examples of 2 ohm capable amps in both types.

 

If there is enough current available from the amp, then it doesn't matter as they go hand in hand.

 

No, it's all about voltage x current x cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and current (which is the definition of real power).

 

Actually, speakers are a current controlled device, the movement of the cone is due to the opposing magnetic fields, one static and one modulating. based on the current flowing through the voice coil. The force F=I x L x B x sin θ (where θ is the angle between the current I and the magnetic field B) The voltage is what causes the current to flow. 

 

Voltage and current exist together, you can't separate them aside from the inclusion of the phase angle between them. The voltage causes the current to flow, the current flows because of the voltage, and the real power is ultimately what matters. Since real power is more difficult to measure, apparent power (which assumes that the power factor (or phase angle between the voltage and current is 1) is most commonly used and is plenty accurate for like comparisons.

 

 

Does anyone else feel a small sense of relief when Agedhorse doesn't quote you on a thread about amps? As always valuable insights from the expert (although I'm not convinced 2 ohm capable amps are that common albeit I suspect Agedhorse has a few he has designed)!

[Beedster]

5 minutes ago, SimonK said:

 

 

Does anyone else feel a small sense of relief when Agedhorse doesn't quote you on a thread about amps? As always valuable insights from the expert (although I'm not convinced 2 ohm capable amps are that common albeit I suspect Agedhorse has a few he has designed)!

 

LOL, if it wasn't for @agedhorse and @Bill Fitzmaurice I'd probably only ever visit the basses for sale forums