Tube Radio
Super Member
If I have two 8 ohm 500 watt drivers in parallel can I use an amp that puts out 1,000 watts at 4 ohms or am I limited to a 500 watt amp at 4 ohms?
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Speaker wattage question
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Chris Brown
Super Member
In your example, the power would be divided between the two drivers in parallel, so 1,000w at 4 ohms would still only be 500w per driver. 500w would be 250watts per driver.
I will say though, don't put too much faith in speaker power ratings. It isn't some hard limit where problems occur if you use more power. Context plays a huge part. Also, all things being equal, you are almost NEVER better off going with a lower powered amp for the sake of not overpowering your speakers. A lower powered amp can still overpower your speakers, but it will do it with a clipped signal. A 500w amp is rated 500w because it can do that with minimal distortion. It can still put out MUCH more than 500w in most cases, once we are talking about a distorted clipped signal. Also, in the end, YOU are in control over how much power your amp puts out, via the volume knob. Using an amp with more power than your speakers are rated for is like driving a sports car at 70 on the freeway, it works fine.
I will say though, don't put too much faith in speaker power ratings. It isn't some hard limit where problems occur if you use more power. Context plays a huge part. Also, all things being equal, you are almost NEVER better off going with a lower powered amp for the sake of not overpowering your speakers. A lower powered amp can still overpower your speakers, but it will do it with a clipped signal. A 500w amp is rated 500w because it can do that with minimal distortion. It can still put out MUCH more than 500w in most cases, once we are talking about a distorted clipped signal. Also, in the end, YOU are in control over how much power your amp puts out, via the volume knob. Using an amp with more power than your speakers are rated for is like driving a sports car at 70 on the freeway, it works fine.
toxcrusadr
Omelette au Fromage
What kind of a driver is rated at 500-1000 watts? Are we talking car subs? Just curious. The above post is spot on as far as the actual question though.
savatage1973
Addicted Member
If the amp is rated at 1000w @ 4ohms, it is actually going to be ~500w @ 8ohms, and ~250w @ 16ohms (which would be two 8 ohm drivers in series)--if you run the two 8 ohm drivers in parallel, then they would present a 4 ohm load for which the amp is rated at 1000w.
Tube Radio
Super Member
The amp I'm looking at is either
http://www.parts-express.com/yamaha-px3-power-amplifier-2-x-500w-at-4-ohms--247-6156
OR
http://www.parts-express.com/yamaha-px5-power-amplifier-2-x-800w-at-4-ohms--247-6157
They both have limiting adjustments built in so I can set them to where the amps will never reach clipping.
The drivers will go in a JBL 4520 cabinet.
Pretty sure 500 watts will be plenty enough with four of those cabinets at a skating rink.
http://www.parts-express.com/yamaha-px3-power-amplifier-2-x-500w-at-4-ohms--247-6156
OR
http://www.parts-express.com/yamaha-px5-power-amplifier-2-x-800w-at-4-ohms--247-6157
They both have limiting adjustments built in so I can set them to where the amps will never reach clipping.
The drivers will go in a JBL 4520 cabinet.
Pretty sure 500 watts will be plenty enough with four of those cabinets at a skating rink.
