Bad Amp, New Amp, Watts & Ohms

[nilo]

Hi Guys (& Girls),

I have a possibly a simple question for any electrician/engineer types
out there...

If I plug speakers rated at ::
6 Watts , 1 kHz and 4 ohms

into an amplifier they weren't designed for, with channels rated at
::
100 Watts RMS, 8 ohms 1%THD

...can I damage either the Amplifier or the Speakers?

With my limited electricial knowledge I'm guessing running too much
power through something that isn't designed for it is a bad thing but..
I only intend to turn this amplifier up to a certain amount....

Boring story, if you want to answer me now please do - if you have
questions read on..

The story::
I bought a low budget, cheapest 5.1 Yamaha sound system you can get
7years ago and it didn't last long (When I realised it wasn't working
very well it was way past warranty).
It was recently repaired by a lovely old character of an electrician
but he told me that getting parts from Yamaha would be very expensive,
so he used a TV transitor and said it may not last long. It didn't.
:-( But I was glad he even looked at it...He was a funny guy, sounds
like he's pretty sad that fixing applicance as a small business is not
a viable way to make a living
Anyway, I saw what looked to be a bargain amplifier advertised in a
catalouge, branded Tevion in Aldi stores in Australia. Without turning
it on (without speakers to plug in to it yet) it looks well made. A
massive heat sink inside and its very heavy. Nice metal casing and
brushed metal outside. It also does dolby, dts, 7.1 and a few other
things.... Sounds good, recommened on looks so far Aldi's a
German store so hopefully this thing has some of that quality German
design built in.. (not that i really know if this is true, time will
tell.)
Have a looksee::
http://www.australia.aldi.com/product_03/product_2433.html

I want to use my tiny little 5.1 Yamaha speakers, which did actually
sound nice with my new Amp. But I'm worried the effect of too many
Watts or Ohms could be a bad thing...

I don't know what ohms are, (i think i've read a How Stuff Works
article on electricity and I'm still hopelessly lost)..

Any Ideas anyone...?? Set me straight about this, Am I worried about
nothing or do they list 'Specifications' for a reason.. (not for
dumb-asres like me obviously)

 

[Ray L. Volts]

Hi Guys (& Girls),

I have a possibly a simple question for any electrician/engineer types
out there...

If I plug speakers rated at ::
6 Watts , 1 kHz and 4 ohms

into an amplifier they weren't designed for, with channels rated at
::
100 Watts RMS, 8 ohms 1%THD

..can I damage either the Amplifier or the Speakers?

U risk damage to the amp with lower-than-spec'd speaker impedance -- it
causes stress from excessive current flow. Some amps are made to handle as
low as 2-ohms. U risk damage to the speakers if u crank the vol up to
high -- with these weaker speakers, that won't be hard to do. The latter
point is moot, though, since u shouldn't be using them with this amp in the
first place.

 

[FearlessFerret]

If I plug speakers rated at ::
6 Watts , 1 kHz and 4 ohms

into an amplifier they weren't designed for, with channels rated at
::
100 Watts RMS, 8 ohms 1%THD

..can I damage either the Amplifier or the Speakers?

Let your ears be your guide. If you turn the thing up so loud the speakers
start distorting badly, the you can destroy them. If you don't use them at a
higher volume than you've previously demonstrated is safe you'll be fine.

Headroom in your amp is a good thing, just use a light tough on the volume control.

/ff

 

[mc]

If I plug speakers rated at ::

6 Watts , 1 kHz and 4 ohms

into an amplifier they weren't designed for, with channels rated at
::
100 Watts RMS, 8 ohms 1%THD

..can I damage either the Amplifier or the Speakers?

Yes, either of two ways.

If you turn the volume way up, you can burn out the speakers with excessive
power. However, if you keep the volume down, that won't be a problem.

If the amplifier is rated for 8-ohm speakers, it may be damaged trying to
drive 4-ohm speakers. But, again, if you keep the volume down, that won't
be a problem. If it sounds OK, it's working fine. If it sounds distorted,
it's not. If you are one of these people whose idea of music is
"thump-crash-thump-crash-skzzzz-thump-crash-skzzzz" you will probably damage
both the speakers and the amplifier.

I don't know what ohms are, (i think i've read a How Stuff Works
article on electricity and I'm still hopelessly lost)..

Did you have physics in high school?

 

[Kalman Rubinson]

U risk damage to the amp with lower-than-spec'd speaker impedance -- it
causes stress from excessive current flow. Some amps are made to handle as
low as 2-ohms.

Probably not in this case since the speaker would fry before the amp
was in trouble.

U risk damage to the speakers if u crank the vol up to
high -- with these weaker speakers, that won't be hard to do. The latter
point is moot, though, since u shouldn't be using them with this amp in the
first place.

Amen.

Kal

 

[Dave D]

Let your ears be your guide. If you turn the thing up so loud the
speakers start distorting badly, the you can destroy them. If you don't
use them at a higher volume than you've previously demonstrated is safe
you'll be fine.

That depends- very high power amps are capable of huge transients and can
cook speakers even though the sound level seems safe. Connecting 6W speakers
to an amp like that is sure to damage them sooner or later. Even worse-
they're too low an impedance. The amp and speaker are both at risk, and even
if the amp survives the mismatch, if the speaker voice coil burns out it
could present a catastrophic short to the amp and destroy it.

Dave

 

[Jim Land]

Hi Guys (& Girls),

I have a possibly a simple question for any electrician/engineer types
out there...

If I plug speakers rated at ::
6 Watts , 1 kHz and 4 ohms

into an amplifier they weren't designed for, with channels rated at
::
100 Watts RMS, 8 ohms 1%THD

..can I damage either the Amplifier or the Speakers?

You forgot to tell us what kind of music you listen to, and how loud.
(c

 

[nilo]

Well I certainly came to the right place

Thanks all, it seems general consensus is as I tentatively guessed, as
long as its not too loud (and too much power isn't going into the
little speakers) it will probably be okay.
But I take everyone's point about damage being done that isn't audible,
transient (voltages is it?)...
So there are some risks, I guess the follow-up question should be what
has people's experience been here?, has anyone run amps with lower
rated speakers at a reasonable volume? No doubt uninformed people like
myself do

The speakers advertised with the amplifier for another $299 vary vastly
in size. Four tiny speakers like the ones i already have, 2 huge ones,
a big sub woofer, and a mid size centre. I'm guessing these themselves
would all vary in there rated tolerances...interesting given all
channels on the amp are equal 100watts.

So, I'll play it by ear - sorry about that..

Did they have physics when I was in school? Yep , and I wish I'd taken
it and made an effort to understand these basics of how the world
works, never to late huh?

Music - rock, pop, oldies, and whatever sounds good.. It is funny
though, a few years ago I liked a bassier sound but I think maybe my
tastes are becomming more refined at my 25 yrs, (or that bass sent me
deaf).

I hope this question was worthwhile to others too, thanks for replying
all.

 

[Boozo]

Save up your money and get some decent speakers to suit the amp.
At the moment you've bought the car but don't have any wheels.

Then sit back and enjoy all of the sounds your amplifier was(hopefully) made
for.
6 watts just aint enough.
Most of the comments I've read seem like good advice.

Happy listening, Boozo.