Audio Impedance

[gamefreak]

Hello all, I have a few questions concerning the impedance on audio equipment.

What exactly does it mean? I have a device that has a 1/8" stereo jack for 16+ ohms, but how does that limit me? Could I just get any old speaker and plug it in, or do I needed matching? thanks for any advice.

[Admin]

a quick google search yielded:
http://www.aqdi.com/speakerz.htm

a quick quote . . .

The impedance tells you basically how much current will flow through a speaker at a certain voltage. So, ten volts of signal from your amplifier might produce two amps of current through the speaker. Double the voltage to twenty volts and the current will double as well. You'll get four times the power because the power is voltage times current (2 x 2 = 4).

A lower impedance speaker will accept more power. For example, a 4 ohm speaker will extract more power from your amplifier than a 8 ohm speaker, about twice as much.

The problem most people have with speaker impedances is how to combine speakers safely without blowing the amplifier or speakers. Here's how.

[gamefreak]

Alright, so then If I were to attach speakers i need to ensure the impedance is 16 ohms or greater so that I dont blow my circuit?

[Soeren]

Alright, so then If I were to attach speakers i need to ensure the impedance is 16 ohms or greater so that I dont blow my circuit?

Yes.

[gamefreak]

Simple enough, thank you Admin and Soeren