Speaker Ohm Question

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:13 pm

OK, I want to replace the speaker in my Orange Crush 30R solid state amp. The current speaker is rated at 4 Ohm. My question is, what would happen if I fitted an 8 Ohm speaker? I know this is a massive no no with valves, but would a solid state amp care? My thinking is to wire up a input socket on the back of the Orange and so be able to use it as a cabinet for a small valve head. Also, 4 Ohm speakers seem to limit the choice of what I can stick in there.

Does this sound like a workable plan or have I just lost the plot??????????

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:02 am

probably ok

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 10:14 am

Sloan wrote:probably ok

Ahhhhh nothing like the reassuring words of 'probably'. I think it will be ok, to be honest I will probably end up using the little valve head more than the Orange circuit. Don't get me wrong, nice little amp but the gain channell is a bit strange. If you listen on headphones it's like the gain is always at full and what the gain knob seems to do is blend it with the clean signal. Thinking a Blackstar HT1 H might be worth looking into!

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:42 am

Blackstar HT1 is a nice little amp. I've never been big on small valve amps though, for practice I'm happy enough with my ten year old Marshall MG10 I found in my garage (it was my first amp).

Rayjaysonic · Post by **Rayjaysonic** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:52 am

Yeah, think I am getting fussy in my old age. Had the Orange out the other day and it just wasn't doing it for me, also it's a bit too loud for home practice and the gain sounds a bit naff at low volume. I could just get the HT1 combo, but most of the time it will be going through my 2x12 cab. Was thinking that if I could rig the Orange Crush with an 8Ohm speaker with an input added to the back it would be perfect for practicing in the living room when the wife's not about.

Post by **Doog** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 12:37 pm

It'll be fine; I used a 8 ohm with a solidstate head for yeeeeeears; they always say "at least 4 ohms" by the speaker outputs anyways, they ain't fussy.

The biggest problem would be losing some efficiency and volume, but it's hardly an issue with a practise amp.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 6:48 pm

Yes, MOST solid state amps will mention a minimum impedence. Typically either 2-4ohms.