speaker resistor

[andrewbradley]

I need to put a resistor in series with my speakers. I want to increase the ohms to 3 or 4. I am running 2 speakers at 2 ohms each in parallel creating a 1 ohm load so I need to raise it to 3-4 ohms.I can't run them in series because they have built in crossovers.They are connected to a 200 watt rms and 800 max amp. What type of resistor do I need? I have been looking for a 3 ohm 500 watt resistor, am I not understanding how the amp and resistor work? Will a 3 ohm 5 watt resistor be all I need?

thanks Andrew

[Pete Schumacher ®]

> I need to put a resistor in series with my
> speakers. I want to increase the ohms to 3
> or 4. I am running 2 speakers at 2 ohms each
> in parallel creating a 1 ohm load so I need
> to raise it to 3-4 ohms.I can't run them in
> series because they have built in
> crossovers.They are connected to a 200 watt
> rms and 800 max amp. What type of resistor
> do I need? I have been looking for a 3 ohm
> 500 watt resistor, am I not understanding
> how the amp and resistor work? Will a 3 ohm
> 5 watt resistor be all I need?

> thanks Andrew

Very few speaker systems have a flat impedance curve. If you put a resistor in series, you'll cause response variations that will badly color the sound.

[Æ]

You can run them in series if they are identical speakers with identical crossovers.
Besides, resistors will waste power generating heat.

> I need to put a resistor in series with my
> speakers. I want to increase the ohms to 3
> or 4. I am running 2 speakers at 2 ohms each
> in parallel creating a 1 ohm load so I need
> to raise it to 3-4 ohms.I can't run them in
> series because they have built in
> crossovers.They are connected to a 200 watt
> rms and 800 max amp. What type of resistor
> do I need? I have been looking for a 3 ohm
> 500 watt resistor, am I not understanding
> how the amp and resistor work? Will a 3 ohm
> 5 watt resistor be all I need?

> thanks Andrew

[unknownuser]

I am running 2 speakers at 2 ohms each
> in parallel

How did you ever get into that mess?! (In case it's because you wanted to see something noisy blow up, it's more fun to attach a very small full range speaker to a high power amp and turn it up. Makes a nice smell too!)

The 5 watt resistor will presumably burn. If you don't want to do the suggested thing, which is to run them in series for 4 ohms, or to get an amp that can handle a 1 ohm load...

<A HREF="http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/amplifier/omegastar_260hc.htm">http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/amplifier/omegastar_260hc.htm</A>

...then try putting four 12 or 15ohm 20watt resistors in parallel and using that in series with your speaker. That makes for between 3 and 4 ohms of additional resistance, with a power handling of 80watts.

Or, eight 30 ohm 20 watt resistors in parallel adds the required resistance and will have a power handling of 160 watts.


(Originally posted by: BFB)

[andrewbradley]

I started out buying 2 sets of infinity 682.7cf speakers(6x8)and a US AMPS XT1600.4 amp for my sons truck. Once installed there is not enough bass(that speakers can handle) anyway the amp can't perform trimode use on either channel so I am wanting to connect all 4 infinitys to the front channel so I can use the rear channel for subs.I never thought about adding lots of resistors to get the resistance and wattage I want, I figured a 5 watt resistor would still be 5 watts no matter how many were connected.

thanks Andrew> I am running 2 speakers at 2 ohms each

> How did you ever get into that mess?! (In
> case it's because you wanted to see
> something noisy blow up, it's more fun to
> attach a very small full range speaker to a
> high power amp and turn it up. Makes a nice
> smell too!)

> The 5 watt resistor will presumably burn. If
> you don't want to do the suggested thing,
> which is to run them in series for 4 ohms,
> or to get an amp that can handle a 1 ohm
> load...

>
> <A HREF="http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/amplifier/omegastar_260hc.htm">http://www.avahifi.com/root/equipment/amplifier/omegastar_260hc.htm</A>
> ...then try putting four 12 or 15ohm 20watt
> resistors in parallel and using that in
> series with your speaker. That makes for
> between 3 and 4 ohms of additional
> resistance, with a power handling of
> 80watts.

> Or, eight 30 ohm 20 watt resistors in
> parallel adds the required resistance and
> will have a power handling of 160 watts.

[unknownuser]

...should be enough. Actually two 8ohm, 20watt resistors should be fine. Just that will withstand continuous power of 40 watts, which is a lot.


(Originally posted by: BFB)