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Impedance

The load a speaker or driver presents to an amplifier across frequency.

Basic Audio fundamentals 1 min read
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Why it matters

An amplifier does not only care about watts. It also cares about load.

Low impedance asks the amplifier for more current. If the load gets too low, the amp can run hot, clip early, shut down, or fail.

For a builder, impedance affects amplifier choice, crossover parts, wiring, and how hard the system can be driven.

How it works

Impedance is measured in ohms. A speaker’s nominal rating is a simplified label, usually 4, 6, or 8 ohms.

The real impedance curve moves with frequency. A driver has a large peak around resonance. A ported box usually has two peaks around tuning. A crossover can add dips and phase angles that make the amplifier work harder.

That is why the curve matters more than the label.

Common mistakes

Simple example

Sensitivity Sensitivity tells you how loud a speaker gets from a known input. It helps estimate output, amplifier needs, and how well drivers will match. Frequency response Frequency response shows how loud a speaker is at each frequency. It helps reveal balance, crossover behavior, box tuning, and room problems. Crossover A crossover splits audio between drivers. It is not a hard wall; drivers still overlap around the crossover point.

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