Electrical calculator
Speaker Impedance Calculator
Calculate the total nominal impedance of matching speakers wired in series, parallel, or paired arrangements.
How the arrangements work
Series impedances add. Matching speakers in parallel divide the impedance by the number of speakers. Series and parallel groups can bring a larger set of matching speakers back near the impedance of one speaker.
Worked example
Four 8 ohm speakers can be wired as two 16 ohm series pairs, then those pairs can be placed in parallel. The result is an 8 ohm nominal load.
Common mistakes
- Assuming two 8 ohm speakers always make 16 ohms.
- Mixing speaker impedances and expecting equal power distribution.
- Confusing the cabinet impedance with the rating of each speaker.
- Running an amplifier below its stated minimum load.
Nominal impedance is not fixed resistance
Actual speaker impedance changes with frequency. The amplifier and speaker manufacturer requirements take priority over this calculation.