How many ohms is this?

[badhabit]

So, I have a combo that has a 8 ohm speaker in it. I then hook up another 16 ohm extension cabinet. The two speakers outs are wired in parallel. How much is the total ohm load? I know 8 ohms and 8 ohms = 4 ohms. How does one figure 8 ohms and 16 ohms ?

 

BTW, I know I should know this. I just was awful in math and algebra.

[LordThurisaz]

Please, don't mix ohms ever again.

[sled]

1 / ( (1/8) + (1/16) ) = 5.3

[LordThurisaz]

Is 5.3 ohms safe as "4"?

[charveldan]

It's a mismatch, do what you want, but i recommend not to run your amp that way.

[sled]

yeah, but the speaker power loading is not evenly distributed.

a speaker's load as seen by the amp is anything but constant anyways.

I won't run the amp balls-to-the-walls this way but at reasonable volumes it'll be okay.

my recommendation is to get a matching speaker 8 or 16 ohms

[LordThurisaz]

I'd change the 8ohm speaker in the combo out for 16ohm.

[charveldan]

You guys that think a mismatch is OK amaze me.

The only amp i would even consider handling a mismatch would be a Mesa.

[newholland]

You guys that think a mismatch is OK amaze me. The only amp i would even consider handling a mismatch would be a Mesa.

well... it's acceptable in a lot more than that instance-- but it's best to know the manufacturers stance on it. impedance is STILL just an average number given that its a reactive parameter-- so it's not as iron clad as all that. but it pays to be careful, for sure.