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Can I measure ohm capabilities of an amp?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Gintaras, Dec 3, 2005.

  1. Dec 3, 2005 #1
    Gintaras

    Gintaras

    Dec 11, 2004
    Kent Island, Md.
    As usual I am messing with my gear!! I have a SWR LA10 for a practice amp. the speaker is an 8 ohm and I have a 4 ohm available to me that I would like to try out. There are no 4 ohm ratings for this amp in the manual (no external speaker jack) and I have read on this forum that going to low in an amps ohm rating can damage the amp, Is there a way that I can measure the amps capapabilities to go to a lower ohmage speaker? I do have a digital multimeter. :meh:
     
  2. Dec 3, 2005 #2
    billfitzmaurice

    billfitzmaurice Commercial User

    Sep 15, 2004
    New Hampshire
    Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design
    No
    Impedance. There is no such thing as ohmage.
     
  3. Dec 3, 2005 #3
    AndrewShirley

    AndrewShirley

    Sep 26, 2004
    Barrie, Ontario
    Sure there is... he just forgot the "FR" at the front, ie: Frohmage... Ie: How cheesy does the speaker sound :D

    - Andrew
     
  4. Dec 3, 2005 #4
    nashvillebill

    nashvillebill

    Oct 13, 2002
    1700 miles west of Nashville TN
    Frohmage....That's a "gudda" one! :D
     
  5. Dec 3, 2005 #5
    Mudbass

    Mudbass

    Jul 25, 2001
    The Republik of Kalifornia
    If there are no 4 ohm ratings for the amp in the manual then it won't handle 4 ohms.

    ...and the correct term is omageositiness.
     
  6. Dec 3, 2005 #6
    Le Basseur

    Le Basseur

    Mar 26, 2002
    Croatia
    Yes there is. :rolleyes:
    For instance,as seen a few months ago,a local band playing a "Ohmage to Nirvana" concert. :D :D :D
     
  7. Dec 3, 2005 #7
    spectorbass83

    spectorbass83

    Jun 6, 2005
    canada
    Why don't you get the serial # off the amp and contact the manufacturer directly?
     
  8. Dec 3, 2005 #8
    ESP-LTD

    ESP-LTD

    Sep 9, 2001
    Idaho

    Impeadousity.
     
  9. Dec 3, 2005 #9
    fdeck

    fdeck Supporting Member Commercial User

    Mar 20, 2004
    Madison WI
    HPF Technology LLC
    In most cases, if you run an amp below its lowest rated impedance, a couple things will happen. First, the output power will be drastically reduced -- possibly by the same factor that you would gain by adding a second speaker cabinet. Second, you will find out if the amp has well-designed thermal protection circuitry, or if the circuits are protected by a layer of smoke that is released when you are in the middle of a high-profile gig.
     
  10. Dec 3, 2005 #10
    Gintaras

    Gintaras

    Dec 11, 2004
    Kent Island, Md.
    So what I got from all of you is that if the amp is not rated for 4 ohms then a 4 ohm speaker will make it smell like burning cheese !!! And where did I ever come up with ohmage...poetic license has alway been a fault of mine....from now on it will be impedance

    thanks and I will write the manufacturer :smug:
     
  11. Dec 3, 2005 #11
    steveksux

    steveksux

    Mar 23, 2005
    Detroit area, Troy, MI
    That is incorrect, the circuits are not protected by a layer of smoke that is released. First, it is magic smoke, and it is what amplifies the music internally to the transistors. It is the lack of protection circuits that can result in the release of the magic smoke under extreme conditions.

    Search TB for posts containing "magic smoke" if you don't believe me. Plenty of corroboration there.

    Don't feel bad, yours is a common misperception.

    Randy
     
  12. Dec 3, 2005 #12
    Crockettnj

    Crockettnj

    Sep 2, 2005
    North NJ
    is there an upgrade available so i can get more magic smoke for my amp?
     
  13. Dec 3, 2005 #13
    steveksux

    steveksux

    Mar 23, 2005
    Detroit area, Troy, MI
    I think its like transmission fluid... can't use dextron in a car designed for the other one... The exact formulation of each manufacturers magic smoke is a closely guarded secret... :D

    Eden has a magic smoke reclamation program, apparently the older smoke is bad for the ozone layer. You can get upgrades to some of their models. They'll swap out the filter and flush the 4 ohm smoke and replace it with the newer synthetic 2 ohm smoke on some models.

    Randy