amp and subwoofer?

Question

i have a 6 ohm subwoofer and an amp that only puts of speaker level outputs. the amp is rated to 4 ohms. is there something like a cross over that will filter the signal for the passive sub that i can buy? i know how to slice off the ends and attach them but i am looking for something to filter the signal for the sub not a way of hoking it up. this is not a car system, it is a home system. I really dont' wanna blow this amp, please only give ansers if you know what your doing and not going to hurt something.

Answer 1

It is implied that your sub is a 6-ohm passive speaker; if that is so, you should have no trouble hooking it up to the speaker output of your 4-ohm amp. The maximum power output capability will drop a little, but you will do no damage to speaker or amp.

The "filter" you are referring to is called a "crossover network' and is commonly used to separate frequency bands to different speakers. What you need is a low-pass to the sub with cutoff frequency between 80 and 120 Hz. If your main speakers can handle low frequencies without distortion, that is all you need. If you want, you can add a high-pass filter to the main speakers that cuts off frequencies below the sub's crossover frequency.

Do a search on the internet for "speaker crossover networks"; you can find some ready-made, as well as circuits and instructions for making your own. The parts required are capacitors and inductors only (for passive networks). I'm sure you will be able to find the information you need.

The networks will be designed for a specific speaker and amplifier impedance. If you find one for either a 4-ohm or 6-ohm speaker, you can use it; that amount off difference is not great and either will work.

Here is an example of crossover design http://www.termpro.com/articles/xover.html

And ready-made units: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-221

Answer 2

An amp that has a rating
of 4 Ohms is compatable
with a speaker system of
6 or 8 Ohms. You are fine.

H a p p y
L i s t e n i n g !