How to Measure Speaker Impedance
Measuring the impedance, or resistance, of a speaker can be an important skill to have when wiring car audio systems. The resistance of a speaker potentially has a big effect on the performance of amplifiers connected to the gear, and in worst-case scenarios, it's possible to damage the amplifier if the resistance of the speakers is too low. So, if you don't know the impedance of a speaker, it's a wise idea to check.
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Instructions
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Insert the probes of a digital multimeter in the correct sockets of the multimeter. There may be several different sockets for the probes depending on what parameters you're measuring. Look for the sockets marked "impedance" or displaying the ohm symbol. Different models and brands of multimeters will vary in their labeling, so check your multimeter's manual if you're not certain about which one to use.
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Select the range for the multimeter. Since you'll be measuring fairly low resistance levels with a speaker, choose a range that will encompass readings in the 2-16 ohm range. It's extremely rare to find speakers that will have an impedance outside of that range.
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Touch one probe to each of the speaker terminals and check the reading. This will be the impedance of the speaker. Record the measurement, and when you're done, turn off the multimeter to preserve the batteries for the next time you need the multimeter.
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Comments
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You cannot measure the impedance DIRECTLY with a multimeter. You can only measure the voice coil resistance which is not IMPEDANCE...Impedance is a complex frequency dependent measurement.
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Paul, are you mistakingly getting amperage mixed up with ohms? To test the amperage (Amps), you will have to have the power turned on but to check the resistance (Ohms) on any wire (that has no electrical power during the test) or the connectivity of any non-electrical item, the Ohm meter is used.
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I had 3 scrap 3 scrap 4 and 8 ohm laying around. So I decided to measure the DC resistance to see what it would be. Well, all the people that said you can measure the impedance with a multimeter were correct. At least in this case. The 4 ohm speakers all measured 4 ohms on the meter. And the 8 ohm speakers all measure 8 ohms. That is 6 for 6. So get your multimeter out. Don't believe all those theorist that say this is not the correct way.
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I had 3 scrap 3 scrap 4 and 8 ohm laying around. So I decided to measure the DC resistance to see what it would be. We, all the people that said you cam measure the impedance with a multimeter were correct. the 4 ohm speakers all measure 4 ohms on the meter. And the 8 ohm speakers all measure 8 ohms. That is 6 for 6. So get your multimeter out. Don;t believe all those theorist that say this is not the correct way.
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Thanks, this info help me figure one of my speakers ohms...
