It’s rare to have two speakers with different impedance. However, there are users with that rare combination. If you’re one of them, chances are there’s a certain question revolving in your mind.
Is mixing 4 ohm and 2 ohm speakers possible?
You can mix your 4-ohm and 2-ohm speakers given that you have the right amp. Also, you need to consider the RMS rating of your speakers and amp. Without evaluating and figuring those out, it’s tough to say how good the output will be. So, be careful mixing your two different speakers.
You probably need more information before you can mix them, right? That’s where I come in.
Why don’t you learn more about it? So, let’s move ahead!
Contents
What Does Impedance Mean?
Before you know whether it’s possible to mix speakers, let’s go through a basic concept. Impedance, what does it or the ohm rating actually mean?
Well, let’s use the world-famous pipe and water example.
When you have a wider and bigger pipe, the water flows through it equally and fast. However, a smaller tube will support a limited flow of water. Similar to the water flow, lower speaker impedance is synonymous with the bigger tube.
So, lower impedance or resistance means better current flow!
On the contrary, more impedance means greater resistance while the current passes through. That’s why 4-ohm speakers need more power to manage.
2-ohm speakers are widely available due to their more efficient power requirements. However, 4-ohm speakers aren’t like some rare candy as well.
They can be easily found in any electronics shop or online. Here are some of the notable speakers of different impedance.
| Image | Speaker | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | JBL GTO939 GTO Series Car Audio Speakers Stereo | 6x9", 300W, 2 Ohm, 3 Way Coaxial | Check Current Price |
  | DS18 PRO-SM6.2 Slim Loudspeaker | 6.5", Midrange,, 400W Max Power, 2 Ohm | Check Current Price |
  | JBL GX328 Car Audio Loudspeakers | 3.5", 2.3 Ohm, Co-axial | Check Current Price |
  | PowerBass OE-6C Component Speaker System | 6.5”, 2 Ohm, Co-Axial | Check Current Price |
  | KICKER CSC65 CS Series Audio Speakers | 6.5”, 300 Watt, 4 Ohm, 2-Way ,Coaxial | Check Current Price |
  | Pyle PL42BL Car Sound Speaker | 4”, 180 Watt, Ohm, 2-Way | Check Current Price |
You can get better results from 150W & 4-ohm speakers compared to 100W & 8-ohm speakers. However, you can get good results from pairing up with 6-ohm speakers as well if you have the right amp.
However, many forget to check the specs before picking amps or speakers.
It’s totally a bad move in the long run. Why? Because you can easily burn down your amp if you’re using a high impedance speaker.
So, using a speaker impedance matching device is help you to get the right fit.
2 Ohm Vs 4 Ohm Speakers
The main difference between 2 ohm and 4 ohm speakers is in their power consumption. A 2 ohm speaker draws more power in comparison to 4 ohm speakers, and as a result, needs a more powerful amp.
On the other hand, the 4 ohm speaker has higher resistance, making it output less sound.
If you are aware of your speaker’s impedance, this segment will be easy to understand. Because here, you’ll see what differences these two speakers bring to the table. While there are other pairs such as- 4 Ohm and 16 Ohm speakers, the 2 Ohm and 4 Ohm are mostly preferred.
Here’s how the 2 ohm and 4 ohm speakers fare up against each other:
| Features | 2 ohm Speaker | 4 ohm speaker |
| Impedance | 2 ohm | 4 ohm |
| Loudness | Louder | Less loud |
| Sound Clarity | Noisy and High distortion | Clean sound |
| Maximum Power Output | 550w | 350w |
That’s the basic comparison of the two different speakers. Below, we have discussed their differences in more detail!
Well then, let’s start comparing!
2 ohm speakers, well, as the name suggests, have only 2-ohm impedance. That’s a great thing as these speakers with lower resistance are easy to manage.
Also, the lower impedance also affects how the current and audio signal flows through.
On the other hand, 4-ohm speakers have an impedance rating of 4-ohm. That means it resists more with the flow of current.
Again, these speakers are also harder to manage because of their power-hungry nature.
Coming on the topic of loudness, the 2-ohm speakers tend to produce a louder sound. Why? Because there’s less resistance and the better current flow can get louder compared to 5-ohm.
But low impedance speakers can make your amp work harder.
Lastly, the compatibility with amplifiers. Surprisingly, here, 4-ohms will provide will better support because it requires less voltage and power.
Although the 2-ohm speakers are also good, 4-ohms are best suited for general users.
2 ohm speakers hit harder than 4 ohm speakers. You should choose 2 ohm speakers over 4 ohm speakers if you’re looking for the louder, punchier subs. However, for a much cleaner sound experience, you should go for 4 ohm speakers.
You will get louder sound from 2 ohm speakers due to low resistance than the 4 ohm speaker, which has high resistance. Despite producing louder sound, 2 ohm speakers produce poor sounds due to low power consumption.
Do you get the differences between these two types of speakers? If so, you can look at these two speakers for a better understanding-
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | Kicker 40PS42 4" Weatherproof 2-Way Speakers 2-ohm | Check Current Price |
| JBL GTO939 GTO Series 6x9" 300W 3 Way 2-Ohm Black Car Coaxial Audio Speakers Stereo | Check Current Price |
They are both from the well-renowned brand JBL. But they differ in the impedance.
Now that you know about the differences between these speakers, we are ready to move on! So, let’s head on to the main segment without any further ado.
Can You Mix 4-ohm and 2-ohm Speakers?
Whether it’s your 5.25 or 6.5 Speakers, you can mix your speakers. The same goes for 4-ohm and 2-ohm speakers too! You can mix those two types of speakers together.
But there’s a catch!
Usually, cars have the same kind of speakers installed, both in the back and front. So, it’s rare to have two different impedances in the speakers. That does not mean it can’t be found. And that’s why you’re here, aren’t you?
When you’re using both 2-ohm and 4-ohm on your car, it’s best to use an amp. Because your amp can distinctly channel different levels of power to your two unalike speakers.
You can use these compatible amps in your car for better power management.
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | Planet Audio AC1500.1M Monoblock Car Amplifier | Check Current Price |
  | BOSS Audio Systems R1002 Car Amplifier | Check Current Price |
  | BOSS Audio Systems R1100M Riot Series Car Audio Amplifier | Check Current Price |
However, if you’re not using an amplifier, don’t worry. There is some hope for you too.
All you need to do is remember one thing. That your 4-ohm speaker will need twice the power than the 2-ohm ones.
Otherwise, you’ll notice loud sounds from the 2-ohm ones and less sound production from the other. You definitely will not like that audio experience in your car.
Source: Mastering The Mix
While the impedance is not the only factor to measure sound quality, it’s quite crucial. So, it’s better to go for similar impedance speakers.
Or you might feel like the sound is coming out of your phone like this dude.
And that’s why you must have to mix them according to their specs.
You can run both 2 ohm and 4 ohm speakers in your car together. But the 2 ohm speaker will be louder than the 4 ohm speaker as expected. For that, you need to adjust the gains to level both the speakers.
Mixing The Speakers in 4 Simple Steps!
After knowing that you can mix those two speakers, I know what you’re thinking. You probably want to know how to mix them accurately.
Source: Improvecaraudio.com
That’s why I present you with this 4-steps guide. Here you’ll get to know about mixing 4 ohms plus 2 ohms parallel–
Step 1: Verifying the Power Output Rate
Check the power requirements of the amp that you want to use. The common rate ranges from 100W to 300W.
Step 2: Cutting the Speaker Wire
Cut a small section of the plastic wrap of the speaker. Then, bring the wires out for connection.
Step 3: Calculating Total Impedance Rate
Now, figure out the range of the total impedance rate. For this 2-ohm and 4-ohm system, first, multiply the resistances.
Then, divide the result 8 with the addition of the rating which is 6 (4+2). The final result will be 1.33 Ohms. This result is within the typical range of an amp.
Step 4: Connecting the Wires
Connect the colored wire with the positive end of the amp and other wires for the negative. Make sure they are kept at a distance and you’re done!
That’s how you mix 2 4 ohm speakers. Now, go try it yourself!
Two 4 ohm speakers connected in parallel produce a total impedance of 2 ohms. This is calculated by dividing the ohms of the speakers by the number of speakers, thus 4/2.
Likewise, two 4 ohm speakers connected in series output resistance of 8 ohms for 2 series of 4 ohm speakers.
Maintenance After Mixing
It’s obvious to forget about the maintenance for the bridged 2 4 ohm speakers. Then the question comes to your mind, how long will speakers last? Well, longevity definitely matters and that’s where maintenance helps you.
Try not to overuse your speakers because after all, they are just good-old electronics. Otherwise, they will last barely the way you want them to.
Many of you might want to ask:
Will 4 ohm speaker work with 2 ohm amp?
You can use a 4 ohm speaker with 2 ohm amp. But the 4 ohm speaker will have half the power output due to having double the resistance than 2 ohm.
Sometimes, you can open the box and clear out any dust and dirt to get a clear sound. I normally use this Compressed Air Duster to clean out all the dirt.
Lastly, when mixing the speakers, make sure the wires are secure. Because they can get tangled and ruin your whole car audio system.
FAQs
Is It Possible to Replace 2 Ohm Speakers With 4 Ohm Speakers?
You can definitely replace the existing 4-ohm speaker with 2-ohm one. One thing to remember before the replacement is the power requirements. Because your 2-ohm speakers will draw more energy from the amp. So, if you don’t check the power rating, your amp may lose its life halfway.
Will 4 speakers Work on 1 Channel?
Yes, 4 and even more speakers will work on the single channel. You can wire them together in a parallel or series to reach a certain impedance. However, maintaining a stable impedance is important. Otherwise, your speaker will draw high power from the amp. The voltage rating is equally crucial.
Which Is Louder Between Series & Parallel?
Usually, a parallel combination can give you that extra loudness. Because the parallel connection reduces the total impedance or resistance of your audio system. On the other hand, series wiring can increase the resistance and draw more power from the amp. Resulting in weaker sound output.
Conclusion
Now you know that mixing 4 ohm and 2 ohm speakers is possible! But don’t forget about the other factors that I discussed to get the best output.
I hope you won’t have any problem mixing them.
So, go ahead and enjoy your new audio system!
