8 Ohm Vs. 4 Ohm Speakers – Which One Is Better? [Upd. 2023]

Prime Sound is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

The term “Ohm” is often used in the world of speakers, but what does it mean, and how does it affect your audio system? This blog post will discuss the differences between 8 Ohm and 4 Ohm speakers. We will compare them and the factors that can impact their performance. 

We’ll also talk about impedance matching and why it is important. By the end of this post, you’ll better understand the role that Ohm rating plays in speaker performance and how to choose the best option for your audio setup.

What is Speaker Impedance?

Speaker impedance measures a speaker’s electrical resistance to the current flowing through it. It is measured in units of Ohms and is represented by the symbol “Ω.” The lower the speaker impedance, the more current it will draw from the amplifier. Conversely, a higher speaker impedance will draw less current from the amplifier.

This is significant in an audio system to keep it working correctly and smoothly. Speaker impedance ranges from 1 ohm to thousands of ohms, and a typical speaker in your home is mostly 4 ohms or 8 ohms. However, it’s essential to know that the less ohm rating will always need more power if you amplify it.

In general, impedance is more like a load, say bricks. The more this load, the harder it is for you to lift it. Similarly, when the impedance is very low, it’s a high load and difficult to amplify them. Comparatively, if you try to amplify high impedance, it’s easy and takes less power as they are lighter or represent a lesser load than low impedance.

Why is Speaker Impedance Important for Speakers? 

Speaker impedance is essential for several reasons:

Amplifier Power:

The impedance of a speaker can impact how much power the amplifier can deliver to the speaker. Suppose the speaker impedance is too low than the amplifier output impedance. In that case, the amplifier may not provide sufficient power to the speakers, resulting in weak sound. On the other hand, if the speaker impedance is too high than the amplifier output impedance, the amplifier may be overworked and unable to deliver its full power to the speakers.

Amplifier Compatibility:

The impedance of a speaker can impact its compatibility with different amplifiers. Speakers with lower impedances may be more challenging to drive with certain amplifiers, while speakers with higher impedances may be easier to drive with a broader range of amplifiers.

Sound Quality:

Proper impedance matching between the speakers and amplifier can ensure optimal sound quality. If the impedance mismatch is too much, it can result in weaker sound.

Speaker Efficiency:

The impedance of a speaker can affect its efficiency or how much sound it produces per watt of power. In general, speakers with lower impedances are more efficient and can have more volume with less power. However, they may also be more prone to distortion at high volumes and require more careful amplifier matching to avoid overloading the amplifier.

Is Impedance Matching Necessary?

Of course,

Of course, impedance matching is necessary as it will keep your amplifier’s circuits safe and sound. You should know that an 8-ohm speaker should only be used with an 8-ohm amplifier’s output.

A 4-ohm speaker should only be used with a 4-ohm amplifier. This is because the impedances of the speaker and amplifier need to be the same. Otherwise, your amplifier’s circuit may damage if you drive the speaker on a louder volume while the impedances of the amplifier and speaker do not match.

Impedance mismatch might cause sound distortion. This is mainly because, in impedance mismatch, the signal reflects toward the source, causing destructive interference. Therefore you see distortion in the voice, so impedance matching is very significant if you want your speakers to have a clear voice.

Difference Between 8 Ohm and 4 Ohm Speakers

The resistance of a speaker is measured in ohms. The speaker’s resistance is significant because it determines the amount of power the speaker can handle. A speaker with a lower resistance can take more energy and typically be louder than a speaker with a higher resistance.

An 8-ohm speaker is a speaker that has a resistance of 8 ohms. This means the speaker can handle a certain amount of power before it damages. A 4-ohm speaker, on the other hand, has a resistance of 4 ohms and can take more energy than an 8-ohm speaker.

One of the main differences is the amount of power each type of speaker can handle. A 4-ohm speaker can typically take more power than an 8-ohm speaker, which means that it will be louder and may have a more powerful sound.

Another difference between 8-ohm and 4-ohm speakers is how they are wired. An 8-ohm speaker is typically wired in parallel, while a 4-ohm speaker is wired in series. This can affect how the speaker sounds and may impact the speaker’s overall performance.

There are pros and cons to both 8-ohm and 4-ohm speakers. For example, 8-ohm speakers are generally more efficient and can produce more volume with less power.

4-ohm speakers are generally more powerful and can produce more volume, but they may require more power. And such significant power requirement makes them a good choice for larger systems or for use in situations where you want to crank up the volume.

In general, 8-ohm speakers are a good choice for smaller systems or for use in situations where you want to conserve energy, while 4-ohm speakers are a good choice for larger systems or for use in cases where you want to crank up the volume.

How to Connect More than One Speaker?

There are two ways to connect more than one speaker. Either you can combine them in a Series, or you can choose a parallel connection.

Series and Parallel Connection

Now that you know you need the exact impedance of the amplifier for your speaker, it’s time to connect them. But guess what? You have more than 1 speaker to blow your room with music. How could you connect them all? What would their combined impedance look like? Why should you use any of the two types of connections?

Let’s answer these by one.

Series

One way to connect multiple speakers is a series connection. Your speakers have a positive and a negative wire, eminent as the “hot wire” and a “ground wire.” Let’s say you have 3 speakers and want to connect them; here is how to do it.

Take the positive terminal of speaker “A” and connect it to the negative terminal of speaker B. Now take the positive terminal of speaker B and connect it to the negative terminal of speaker C. Lastly, you have to connect the positive terminal of speaker C and the negative terminal of speaker A with your amplifier, and you are good to go. However, keep impedance matching in mind.

Parallel

The other way to connect more than one speaker is a series connection. Unlike the series connection, here, the speakers do not connect directly. Rather, they are linked to the amplifier. 

Like the above example, let’s assume you have those 3 speakers again, and now you want to connect them in Parallel for some reason. You can do it like this.

Place all three speakers together and connect the positives of all the 3 speakers to the positives on the amplifier. Similarly, the speakers’ negatives need to be connected with the negatives on the amplifier, and you are good to go.

What Would the Combined Impedance of Multiple Speakers Be?

If you have arranged and connected speakers in parallel or series, you might wonder how to calculate this combination’s total impedance. It would be very simple if you read this attentively.

So, if the speakers are combined in a series circuit, you need to add up the individual impedances of all those speakers. For instance, if Speaker A is 4 ohms and Speaker B is also 4 ohms, the total impedance would be 4+4= 8 ohms.

However, if you have arranged the speakers in a parallel combination, then calculating the impedance is a bit complex. Let’s say you have connected two speakers named A and B, each of which has 8-ohm impedances. 

To calculate the total impedance, you have to multiply the impedances of both speakers and then divide them by the sum of their impedances. As in the above example, two 8-ohm speakers in parallel would have a combined impedance of (8 * 8) / (8 +8) = 4 ohms total. It might seem a bit complex, but it’s too easy once you practice it a few times.

Why You Need to Connect Your Speakers in Parallel or in Series?

There are two main reasons why you might want to connect speakers in parallel or series:

To adjust the impedance (resistance) of the system: The impedance of a speaker measures in ohms, and it determines how much current will flow through the speaker when driven by an amplifier. Connecting speakers in parallel or series allows you to adjust the system’s overall impedance to match the amplifier’s impedance. This helps ensure that the amplifier can deliver its full power to the speakers and prevent it from overheating or suffering damage.

To adjust the volume or sound quality of the system: Connecting speakers in series can reduce the overall volume of the system while connecting them in parallel can increase the volume. Additionally, connecting speakers in series can result in a more balanced, even sound, while connecting them in parallel can result in a louder, boomier sound.

What Happens if the Speaker Impedance is too High?

If the speaker impedance is too high for the amplifier, it may not be able to deliver its full power to the speakers. This can result in a weak sound and potentially damage the amplifier. High speaker impedance can also cause the amplifier to draw more current, which can cause it to overheat and potentially fail. 

To avoid these issues, it is crucial to ensure that the speaker impedance is within the recommended range for the amplifier. This information can usually be in the amplifier’s owner’s manual or technical specifications. In general, it is best to use speakers with a lower impedance (e.g., 4 ohms or 8 ohms) with amplifiers to handle low-impedance loads.

Does Higher Impedance Mean a Louder Sound?

Higher speaker impedance does not necessarily mean a louder sound. The relationship between speaker impedance and volume is more complex. It depends on several factors, including the power and type of the amplifier, the speaker’s sensitivity, and the type of music or audio you play.

Generally, speakers with a lower impedance (e.g., 4 ohms or 8 ohms) will be more efficient and produce louder sounds when driven by a given amplifier. This is because a lower-impedance speaker presents a lower resistance to the amplifier, allowing it to deliver more power to the speaker. 

However, this does not necessarily mean that a 4-ohm speaker will always be louder than an 8-ohm speaker. Many other factors can affect a speaker’s overall volume and sound quality.

It is important to note that using speakers with an impedance that is too high or too low for the amplifier can result in poor sound quality and potentially damage the amplifier. It is essential to match the speaker impedance to the amplifier’s capabilities and specifications to ensure optimal performance.

Which is Louder, 4 ohm or 8 ohm?

A 4-ohm speaker will generally be louder than an 8-ohm speaker when driven by a given amplifier. This is because a lower-impedance speaker presents a lower resistance to the amplifier, allowing it to deliver more power to the speaker. However, this does not necessarily mean that a 4-ohm speaker will always be louder than an 8-ohm speaker.

Many other factors can affect the speaker system’s overall volume and sound quality, including the power and type of the amplifier, the speaker’s sensitivity, and the type of music or audio being played. Considering these factors is essential when determining which speaker will be louder.

Is 4 ohm or 8 ohm Better for Bass?

The choice between a 4-ohm or 8-ohm speaker for bass depends on the specific characteristics and capabilities of the amplifier and the desired sound quality. In general, a 4-ohm speaker can produce slightly more bass than an 8-ohm speaker when driven by a given amplifier due to the lower impedance presenting a lower resistance to the amplifier. 

However, using a speaker with a too-low impedance for the amplifier can result in poor sound quality and potentially damage the amplifier. It is essential to match the speaker impedance to the amplifier’s capabilities and specifications to ensure optimal performance and avoid damaging the equipment.

Conclusion

It has always been a big confusion for most of us to select between 8-ohm and 4-ohm speakers. After reading and going through this blog post, I am sure you will gain more knowledge about them. Now that you have the required knowledge, you can select the speaker that fits you well.

The aim is to make you more educated so you can decide wisely when buying a speaker for yourself. You can comment below if you still have confusion, and we will guide you happily.