2 Ohm Vs 4 Ohm Subwoofer: What’s The Difference And Better?
Many car users now add subwoofers to their sound systems. They produce powerful bass, providing a completely different experience from conventional ones. The reason is that this device can reproduce low frequencies or bass.
In general, not everyone is interested in this product and has little experience comparing and choosing the most suitable one. Some people even get confused when referring to terms like power, impedance, and resistance.
Especially the 2 Ohm or 4 Ohm impedance of the subwoofer. Are you having trouble distinguishing between the above concepts? Can you know the difference between these two devices?
This article will help you have an objective assessment, better understand the impedance, and distinguish 2 Ohm vs 4 Ohm subwoofer. Let’s explore now!
About Impedance in Car Speakers
Impedance in Car Speakers
Before learning about 2 ohms and 4-ohm subwoofers, you need to know their general concept. 2 and 4 ohms are impedance values.
It is a unit of measure for the resistance of the voice coil wire to resist the current flowing from the amplifier. Usually, you will see this value at 2 or 4 ohms.
However, you can also find products with other numbers, as with the 1 ohm class for the Kicker CompRT 10 ″ subwoofer.
At the same time, today’s market also provides very few amplifier devices above 4 ohms, the reason being the low 12V voltage.
In general, if you find a 4 ohms symbol on your speaker or amplifier, this number is not necessarily a constant value of the resistor.
This number can change continuously; it depends on the current frequency of the input. It fluctuates between 0.3 ohms and can go up to 30 ohms.
You also see electrical devices with higher impedance when the frequency is lower, and the reverse is also true when the product has high frequency but low impedance.
The voice coil in the tweeter is very small. In a nutshell, 4 ohm is the “nominal impedance,” representing the average of all impedances the speaker can be compatible with.
Impedance is inversely proportional to power. If the impedance is high, the amplifier’s power will be below.
For example, when using a 4-ohms speaker, you will need 100W of power. Besides, 2-ohms speakers will need an amp that produces 200W for compatibility and minimum for operation.
As a result, some amplifiers experienced overload that resulted in overheating or shutting down for protection, and even one of them was damaged.
Next, you need to understand the 2 ohms and 4-ohm subwoofers in the section.
2 Ohm Subwoofer Overview
2 Ohm Subwoofer
The 2-ohms subwoofer is an ideal product for large spaces. It works relatively stable and powerful. As mentioned in the above section, 2 Ohms is a low impedance compared to the 4 Ohms type.
Therefore, the device needs more energy to operate and operate. It generates a large load and consumes more power output, which costs more.
The biggest advantage of this type is that it produces more sound intensity, allowing you to broadcast your music or sound to a wider audience. So, the device will have more power to operate if you supply more power.
The biggest drawback of a 2 Ohms subwoofer is that it consumes a lot of power, and the sound quality is not excellent.
4 Ohm Subwoofer Overview
4 Ohms version
Besides the 2 Ohm subwoofer, we also have another suggestion: the 4 Ohms subwoofer.
Contrary to its competitor, the 4 Ohms device has a higher impedance but requires less power and consumes less electricity to operate. At the same time, it also produces excellent sound quality.
Many people equip this device in their car and home for the perfect personal experience, suitable for slow-motion music.
In addition, the value of large impedance requires little power, small load, and small capacity, which saves you a lot of operating costs.
What Is The Difference?
You must have had an objective view of these two devices and the most basic terms through the above items. However, following the section below with their contrasting characteristics for a clearer and more precise distinction.
Sound Quality
When comparing sound quality, these two types of speakers meet the needs of different customer groups. Yet, the best answer is not to compromise on this feature if you are experiencing a subwoofer for the first time.
Specifically, if you want a product that offers smooth sound quality with a soft tone, then 4 Ohms wins in this category.
On the contrary, if you love the loud sound and it can be for many people, the best advice is to choose a 2 Ohms sound system. It is true to the theory we mentioned above about the impedance and power of this electrical device.
It can be that the best one in terms of sound quality will be the one that suits and best matches your preferences. You need a 2 Ohms subwoofer for large rooms and a 4 Ohms system for small spaces like your car in a closed room.
Price
If budget is an issue you need to care about, both 2Ohm and 4Ohm types have a price that is not too different.
The average cost you need to spend to own a product ranges from $ 20 to $ 200.
Specifically, 2-ohm speakers cost between $ 50 to $ 200, depending on the brand and size. Besides, to own a 4-ohm subwoofer, you must spend $ 20 to $ 180.
A higher price equals better sound quality and longer usage time. At the same time, you may also find that these devices’ warranty and return policies are also much more generous than the cheap ones.
Therefore, instead of choosing the most affordable product, find a balance between sound quality and cost to own.
Durability
Durability
There has been much controversy about the durability of the two devices mentioned in this article.
Subwoofers are an investment, and you need to pay more attention to the durability aspect. You certainly don’t want to get a product that makes an annoying, degraded noise.
Some have argued that 2ohm subwoofers have less endurance when they need to use a lot of power, leading to more prone to malfunction and failure.
The reason comes from the small impedance and other devices that need to work at full capacity, causing an overload for the amplifier.
However, it is not true that the leading manufacturers in the field have equipped you with systems to prevent overload.
Durability also depends on the quality of the materials that make up the subwoofer. You can also easily check by touching the speaker’s housing and cables. Be careful not to use low-quality materials. Although their prices are low, it will bring a bad experience.
Which One Is Better? 2 Ohm Vs 4 Ohm Subwoofer
Which One Is Better?
Which is best depends on your preferences. When comparing the price characteristics, both devices are priced similarly for many brands.
The 2 Ohm subwoofer is less prominent than the 4ohm type in terms of durability, but it can be overcome by adding a system to prevent overload and limit the damage.
Finally, the comparison of sound quality is really difficult. You need to find out your space and purpose first.
While 4Ohm speakers are suitable for small spaces like in a room or car, the 2-ohm type is perfect for large areas that need to deliver sound to a wider audience.
You are on a tight budget, and we recommend saving a larger amount to pay for a better quality product because it brings the most memorable and ideal experience. At the same time, good equipment is more secure for your entire system.
Read more: 4 Ohm Speaker vs 8 Ohm Speaker – Which One is Better?
FAQs
Can I Use 2 Ohm Instead of 4 Ohm Subwoofers?
You can use 2 Ohm Instead of 4 Ohm Subwoofers. Furthermore, some units allow you to install both products in the same system.
It helps you to create a balanced sound between different locations in your car.
However, when replacing or installing them simultaneously, you need to take care of their reliability and reliability. To avoid all possible risks, you need to establish exactly what the manufacturer recommends.
Your best advice would be to consult an expert or repairman before taking any action regarding the system. It will ensure that the process is done correctly and not cause fire or electric shock.
What hits harder, 2 ohm Vs 4 ohm?
In general, a 2ohm subwoofer will produce more sound intensity than a 4ohm subwoofer. It is related to the general characteristic of impedance when this lower value makes loud sounds of the high resistance type.
In contrast, the 4Ohm subwoofer produces a smaller sound and is recommended for small rooms and cars, and is the most ideal we know.
Is parallel or series better for subs?
You can make serial or parallel wiring between subwoofers.
Specifically, when you wire in series, the negative connector of the previous device will connect to the positive connector of the next device.
Besides, parallel wiring means that you wire the terminals of one device to the analog terminals of the other, positive connected to positive and negative connected to negative.
This operation results in a higher resistance for the series method or the average for the parallel process.
Wiring in parallel can also result in the total impedance being halved. For example, if you use two 4 ohm speakers in parallel, you will only get a 2-ohm impedance system.
Conversely, if you wire it in series, the system will also increase in impedance. For example, when you connect two 4 ohm devices, an 8-ohm amplifier can be a 4 one if you use two 2 ohm products.
Conclusion
In general, 2 or 4ohm subwoofers are popular and good-quality devices. They serve and fulfill different human purposes.
You will need 2 Ohm speakers for a large room or space with a large audience. In contrast, the sub 4 Ohm produces excellent car sound quality.
In addition, pay attention to the maintenance work of electronic equipment, especially with speakers. They will affect how you perceive the sound and excitement of driving.
At the same time, the life of these products will increase over time if cared for properly. You can use a soft, damp cloth to wipe it clean and minimize, even without using a lot of water.
It can be the cause of electric shock or electric leakage. Please clean the blower so that it cools the device best.
We hope you have made your own choice and have the perfect device experience. Thank you for reading!
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