[ShadowTek]

At my disposal are three 4-ohm speakers and one 16-ohm speakers.
I'm considering wiring the three 4-ohm speakers in series, then
connecting that in parallel to an 16-ohm speaker, which should result
in in overall 8-ohm load.

4-4-4
|_____amp
|
16

Is there any danger with having 1 speaker on one side of the parallel,
while having 3 speakers on the other side?

[David Nebenzahl]

On 2/10/2010 2:26 PM ShadowTek spake thus:

At my disposal are three 4-ohm speakers and one 16-ohm speakers.
I'm considering wiring the three 4-ohm speakers in series, then
connecting that in parallel to an 16-ohm speaker, which should result
in in overall 8-ohm load.

4-4-4
|_____amp
|
16

Wrong.

The formula for parallel resistance is:

R1 R2
Rt = --------
R1 + R2

yielding ~6.8 ohms in this case. Close, but no cigar.

Is there any danger with having 1 speaker on one side of the parallel,
while having 3 speakers on the other side?

Nope, although don't expect equal power distribution among the various
speakers. But so far as the amp goes, it doesn't care who is where.

Oh, and be sure to get the speakers connected in phase. You can check
this by connecting a battery to the terminals and watching whether the
cone moves in or out. If they aren't already marked, label the speaker
terminals "+" and "-", then connect them in phase.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

[ShadowTek]

On 2010-02-11, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 2/10/2010 2:26 PM ShadowTek spake thus:

At my disposal are three 4-ohm speakers and one 16-ohm speakers.
I'm considering wiring the three 4-ohm speakers in series, then
connecting that in parallel to an 16-ohm speaker, which should result
in in overall 8-ohm load.

4-4-4
|_____amp
|
16

Wrong.

The formula for parallel resistance is:

R1 R2
Rt = --------
R1 + R2

yielding ~6.8 ohms in this case. Close, but no cigar.

LMFAO I'd added 4+4+4 in my head and got 16!

I did it right, I just messed up. lol


Is there any danger with having 1 speaker on one side of the parallel,
while having 3 speakers on the other side?

Nope, although don't expect equal power distribution among the various
speakers. But so far as the amp goes, it doesn't care who is where.

Assuming that there would be 16 ohms on *both* sides of the parallel
(like I was originally thinking), the power distribution among the four
4-ohms and the one 16-ohm would be the same, right?

4+4+4+4
|______amp
|
16

[David Nebenzahl]

On 2/10/2010 6:26 PM ShadowTek spake thus:

Assuming that there would be 16 ohms on *both* sides of the parallel
(like I was originally thinking), the power distribution among the four
4-ohms and the one 16-ohm would be the same, right?

4+4+4+4
|______amp
|
16

Yes; half on each side. You basically have a parallel network, so
current divides evenly between the two sides. (Voltage is equal across
both sides.)


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"

[Mr.T]

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
.com...
On 2/10/2010 6:26 PM ShadowTek spake thus:
Assuming that there would be 16 ohms on *both* sides of the parallel
(like I was originally thinking), the power distribution among the four
4-ohms and the one 16-ohm would be the same, right?

4+4+4+4
|______amp
|
16

Yes; half on each side. You basically have a parallel network, so
current divides evenly between the two sides. (Voltage is equal across
both sides.)

Considering they are speakers with complex impedances rather than resistors,
and considering the 4 ohm and 16 ohm speakers are likely to be different in
frequency Vs impedance, once again it is not that simple. And who knows what
the efficiencies, power rating, and interactions between speaker radiation
patterns are, so the likely acoustic outcome is anyone's guess!
However at least the amp will probably be OK with such a load if that's all
that matters.

MrT.

[David Nebenzahl]

On 2/10/2010 11:13 PM Mr.T spake thus:

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
.com...

On 2/10/2010 6:26 PM ShadowTek spake thus:

Assuming that there would be 16 ohms on *both* sides of the parallel
(like I was originally thinking), the power distribution among the four
4-ohms and the one 16-ohm would be the same, right?

4+4+4+4
|______amp
|
16

Yes; half on each side. You basically have a parallel network, so
current divides evenly between the two sides. (Voltage is equal across
both sides.)

Considering they are speakers with complex impedances rather than resistors,
and considering the 4 ohm and 16 ohm speakers are likely to be different in
frequency Vs impedance, once again it is not that simple. And who knows what
the efficiencies, power rating, and interactions between speaker radiation
patterns are, so the likely acoustic outcome is anyone's guess!
However at least the amp will probably be OK with such a load if that's all
that matters.

Meaningless quibbles from you as usual.

There will be as close to half the power on each side as is matters in
this case. How the speakers handle that power is a complex subject, as
you point out. But there will be half on one side and half on the other.


--
You were wrong, and I'm man enough to admit it.

- a Usenet "apology"