Hi-Fi Glossary: Essential Terms Explained Simply
Impedance, soundstage, dynamic range: if you're exploring the world of Hi-Fi, you've probably come across these terms dozens of times. In product descriptions, reviews, and forums. But what do they really mean? And above all, why should you care about them when choosing an amplifier or...
Impedance: The load the speakers present to the amplifier
Impedance is measured in ohms (Ω) and indicates the electrical resistance that a speaker oppoto the signal coming from the amplifier. The most common values are 4, 6, and 8 ohms. The lower the impedance, the more current the amplifier must deliver to achieve the same volume. Why is this important? Because an amplifier designed for 8-ohm loads might struggle—or even go into protection—with 4-ohm speakers, especially