Sub-2-ohm speaker designs caused the amplifier differences reviewers praised

Evidence

There have been some examples of high-end loudspeakers having impedances that dipped to one ohm or less. These are examples of incompetent loudspeaker design. However, recognizing a market, some amplifier designers responded with monster monoblock “arc-welder” products that can drive these problem loudspeakers, but they are more than is needed for well-designed loudspeakers. It was amusing at the time to read that these imperfect loudspeakers “revealed” differences between power amplifiers, as if it were a virtue. They were the cause of the differences. But those were subjective reviewers not having the benefit of measurements. Before conducting listening tests it is beneficial to know the minimum loudspeaker impedance and the capabilities of the power amplifier driving them. The ability to drive 2 ohms is not uncommon and should be adequate. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1146

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the book’s broader argument that measurement-blind subjective reviewing confuses the cause of audible differences.