HT driver's & resistance

[Nikuk 1]

So, I've been pondering this a while now...

Why is it that the majority of home theater or home stereo drivers are designed for higher nominal resistance?

Would the main reason to use 16 or 8ohm loads vs. 4ohm loads be to keep THD ratings down at the amplifier? If so, is this primarily just a result ipso facto of engineer marketing?

THD ratings of 0.00000000001 into a 16ohm load sell's $1800 home amplifiers.

[Tirefryr 1,742]

I personally believ it is because of the higher voltages easily attainable on the home market. No need for high current.

[Nikuk 1]

I personally believ it is because of the higher voltages easily attainable on the home market.  No need for high current.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good point.

I was under the impression that Home receviers are horribly inefficient... turning 110vac in signal's at something like 50%.

So, the speakers being higher load, keeping current down, so that you dont need a seperate 30amp breaker in the fusebox for just the amplifier....?

[Tirefryr 1,742]

I would imagine so. Keep in mind though, the same theories revert from Car audio. You'll probably never see the full current consumption.

[bigger_george 2]

Since it is in-home, wouldn't thd matter more? since there's no road noise to interfere with it ...

[Tirefryr 1,742]

Since it is in-home, wouldn't thd matter more?  since there's no road noise to interfere with it ...

May very well be, yet I highly doubt there is a piece of equuipment made anymore that will exhibit any audible distortion, short of a driver itself.