8 OHM Speakers connected to 3 OHM Amp

richardc1983

Hey all,

Hope someone can help me, I have 2 x Speakers, rated at

Input Impedance: 8 ohms
Power Handling: (RMS) 300 watts

I have had these connected to a Sony Mini System for the last 3 yrs with no probs, this is rated at

100 + 100 watts (8 ohms) for the front L & R Channels

The speakers that came with the system have never been used. I used my own as they are much better quality.

The system has rear surrounds and a centre speaker for prologic.

Obviously my speakers are rated at 300watts RMS. However on my old amp I have been able to turn the volume up very loud never had any problems with distortion or clipping or overheating of the Mini System amp.

I am now upgrading my system to a newer Panasonic system that has more features as the cd player section is faulty on my 10yr old Sony system. I am having a mini system as dont have the space for separates.

Question is, will my own speakers work ok on the new system and be sufficiently powered.

New system is rated at:

95 + 95 Watts (3 ohms) for the front L & R Channels

Have done searches of the internet and on here and I am still very confused.

I seem to understand that less is more and have read that a 3 ohms channel is more output than an 8 ohms channel and that it is better to have an amp that is 3 ohm with 8 ohm speakers attached as the amp doesnt have to work as hard.

I know that the max I will get is 95 Watts per left and right channel (10 watts less than old Mini System) but hoping that the amp being 3 OHM wont mean the system will give less output? As my speakers are rated at 300watts RMS this should be ok as I know im only going to get 95 watts into them.

Any help appreciated as I am totally stuck and not sure what is what.

My previous system matched the speaker impedance, so is this why I never had distortion when it was on high volume?

Will I get distortion on the new system as the impedance is 3 ohm instead of 8ohm?

Kind regards
Richard.

bob_a_builder

You'll still be able to turn it up very loud, but it won't be as loud as before
maximum power transfer requires input and output impedance are same
distortion just might be effected since you will be pushing amp harder to archive same volume (but probably not at normal listening levels unless you are an out and out headbanger)

Pssst

Are you detached?

amcluesent

>95 + 95 Watts (3 ohms)<

That's a marketing dept. specification, or what Alan Sugar called 'a mugs eyeful'. The distortion into 3ohms would likely be 10%.

These mini-system amps are more like a true 25W, I doubt you'll hear any difference between the Sony and the Panny.

Pssst

Indeed,it depends how you are measuring your watts...do you want RMS or PEP and at what point do you measure distortion?

richardc1983

Pssst wrote: »

Are you detached?

No I have a boyfriend haha!

Seriously though... we are semi detached its a victorian house so has thick walls.

Have had probs with parties in the past though being heard in the cellars 3 houses down!!

richardc1983

bob_a_builder wrote: »

You'll still be able to turn it up very loud, but it won't be as loud as before
maximum power transfer requires input and output impedance are same
distortion just might be effected since you will be pushing amp harder to archive same volume (but probably not at normal listening levels unless you are an out and out headbanger)

U see I am getting mixed messages, on an Av forum i posted on as well ( to get max coverage) I got this response:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/speakers/995416-8-ohm-speakers-connected-3-ohm-amp.html#post9480567

What do you mean by distortion? it will distorte sooner at higher volumes?

Yes I love a good party so I am a bit of a headbanger!!

richardc1983

amcluesent wrote: »

>95 + 95 Watts (3 ohms)<
The distortion into 3ohms would likely be 10%.

.

The 95watts in the manual is quoting RMS per channel of 95watts.

The actual system I am getting is this but its the uk version but same spec:

http://panasonic.ae/PMM/English/products/ProductDetails.aspx?PrdId=1520&CatId=53

If you click tech specs on the right it gives you the info.