Component Set Impedance?

[tech2332 3]

Soon I will be getting a 12" AudioQue HDC3 (Copper Coils) and was wanting to finally upgrade my Front Stage Mids & Highs. This is the first time I dealt with Component Systems and 2-Channel Amps so some of these questions might sound stupid.

I am considering RE Audio 6.5 Components or Rockford Fosgate T162s and they both are 4 Ohm. Does this mean that after you connect mid & highs to crossover then crossover to amp, then will the final impedance to the amp be 4 ohms? Or is there a way to wire component systems in parallel to get a 2 ohm load?

One more question. Is each channel kinda like a different amp? For example, If I have a 4 Channel amp can I have 2 channels with a loads of 4 ohm and the other two with 2 ohm loads?

(If anyone has suggestions on what Component Sets I should get please give your opinions. I would like to pay under $140 for just the component set. After I'm set on which component set, I will get a 2-Channel Amp)

Edited July 16, 2009 by tech2332

[ncacoates 104]

If they say they are 4ohm components that means after they are connected to the crossover it will be 4 ohms. The main deciding factor is actually the mid range driver since the coil on the tweeter is so small. It has a small effect on the overall independence.

[///M5 2,833]

Some will allow you to bi-amp and run a different channel to each mid and tweeter, then you could use a 4chn amp.

Impedance and subs and impedance and component sets shouldn't be intermixed. Sub amps run at lower impedances because it equals cheap power and with this being said manufacturers make coils for subs to take advantage of this. In mids and highs it is doesn't work that way, regularly you are going to give up as much efficiency as you gain by lower the impedance. You will see a ton of people running at 8 ohms in the front as there are a way better collection of drivers that are built that way as the trade-offs aren't worth it. If you see comp sets below 4ohm considering it a marketing move and not product engineering, regularly those sets leave a lot to be desired.

Either way yours ears should be the judge, in particular in the price range you are in. At that price there will be a ton of compromises and no ears other than your own can truly tell which are worth putting up with.

[tech2332 3]

Thanks for the help. This definitely cleared up a lot of questions on my mind. I'll try to find a good set off eBay soon.

[KU40 173]

Each driver in the component system should be 4 ohms. Since they aren't playing the same frequencies (for the most part), their impedances don't add together. It's basically like just having one speaker.

As for the 4 channel amplifier, yes you can run the two sets of outputs at different impedances.