GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

HI allThis is my first post but I have been reading this site for a month. As a topic title states that I have a question reagrding speakers. I have 05' w/M&T+single cd. I am very happy this my new ride but sound sysem could be better. So I decided to upgrade speakers and HU(later) I have researched in the site for one week but I am not so sure about what ohm is. When I had RX8 w/bose system. it came w/1 center dash speaker(?), 4 tweeters(4ohm), 2 mid-drivers(0.5ohm), and 2 rear speakers(2ohm). I found some post that people say M&T comes w/2 ohm speaker. Does that meam all speakers(2 tweeters and 2 mid drivers in front doors and 2 full range(?) speakers in rear doors and 1 woofer in trunk) are 2 ohm?My choice narrows to infinity and Image dynamics but I think I will try infinity at his time. Anyboyd installed 2ohm drivers from infinify? sound good? is worth of insisiting 2 ohm speakers?Thanks.Have a nice day.

I'd say upgrade the amp and speakers at the same time. Then you don't have to worry about it.All the speakers, including the dual-coil sub is running at 2ohm. Ohms are measures of resistance. It takes twice the amperage at the same voltage to go through 4ohms as it does for 2ohm.Google it, there's much better ways of explaining it that what I can do

Binary.Thanks for your conformation.I was just wondering that are you the same guy who are actively participating in RX8club.com?Yah. I had to end up to change whole audio system when I had a RX8. I don't want to go through it again... I just want to have more musical sound than boomy sound...Anyway, thanks again.Have a nice day.

Quote, originally posted by belly »Binary.Thanks for your conformation.I was just wondering that are you the same guy who are actively participating in RX8club.com?Yah. I had to end up to change whole audio system when I had a RX8. I don't want to go through it again... I just want to have more musical sound than boomy sound...Anyway, thanks again.Have a nice day. Nope, never been to the RX8club.com - someone using my nickname?The amp will power 4ohm speakers - just not as loud. It's not noticable until you crank it to 11.

Quote, originally posted by binary »All the speakers, including the dual-coil sub is running at 2ohm. Ohms are measures of resistance. It takes twice the amperage at the same voltage to go through 4ohms as it does for 2ohm.Are you sure, binary? I thought the speakers in the M&T package were rated at 4 ohms instead of 2.

binary.I guess you guys using same nickname.Have nice day.back to topic.I guess we need more help/

This has been beat to death in the past, and the consensus has been you CANNOT upgrade the speakers without upgrading the amp as well - unless you get speakers with the same impedance, which are hard to find from my understanding. I don't remember the impedance rating of stock, but yes, all the speakers in the car are the same rating. You CANNOT run speakers of a different impedance then the amp was designed for -- doing so will destroy the speakers, or burn out the amp.

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »You CANNOT run speakers of a different impedance then the amp was designed for -- doing so will destroy the speakers, or burn out the amp.That's not completely true. Ideally, one should use speakers whose impedance is equal to that of the amplifier rating (ex. 4 ohm speakers -- 4 ohm amplifier). However, you can use speakers with a HIGHER impedance than the amplifier, but you will likely not have as loud a volume as matched speakers. Also, the amplifier will not run as efficiently.Conversely, you should NEVER run speakers whose impedance is below the internal impedance of the amplifier. You risk ruining not only the speakers, but the amp as well.Here is a good example:

"Z" is correct... the less the ohms ...the closer you come to having a short circuit at the amps' output. We all know that shorts do...they let the smoke out...

An update:I installed new rear speakers this weekend (Infinity 6012si). I have the premium sound system (aka "Moon & Tunes"). The OEM rear speakers are, in fact, rated at 2 ohms (it's printed on a label on the speaker magnet).I wish we had a FAQ for each forum where questions like this could be centrally located. I know that this question has been brought up a lot and even I mistakenly believed that the OEMs were not 2 ohm.The speakers sound okay, but are a little thin. Fortunately, I have a Kenwood amp ready to install...

Z..have you changed hu as well???If so, just wondering, what hu and what installation kit did you use?have a nice day

Quote, originally posted by belly »have you changed hu as well???Nope; I have XM and am satisfied with the GM unit for now.