I scavenged samsung passive 3ohm 170watt subwoofer.
I want to use it with my desktop PC speakers, if I can power it without buying equipment
Can I use a 2.1ch 4ohm as if I only use the subwoofer channel & keep the volume <50%?
Or use a lower voltage psu on the amp, or a series resistor ?
I want to use it with my desktop PC speakers, if I can power it without buying equipment
Can I use a 2.1ch 4ohm as if I only use the subwoofer channel & keep the volume <50%?
Or use a lower voltage psu on the amp, or a series resistor ?
Been there, done that. I guarantee the Samsung subwoofer is not 170w. That spec was almost certainly achieved @20,000ft altitude, going downhill with the wind behind. But to answer your question: yes, an amp specified as 4 ohms will work with 3 ohms.
If your amp is Class D, more specifically: TPA3116D2, better to beef up the heatsink.
Volume setting means NOTHING
Just use it and call it a day.
For a better answer we need the REAL impedance curve and the REAL amp capabilities, good luck with that.
I'd be <1meter from it so a few watts is plenty. But I agree,the spec is hyped. It's actually listed 170w continuous 340w max. So it might get close to 170watts in short distorted bursts.
I'd be using only one of the 3 channels. Heatsink on the chip should be plenty. It's the capacitors, VRMs, and other magic bits on the board that might not like 3ohms.
Will see.
3 ohm is weird. What is the DC resistance of the coil? I bet it's not really "3 ohm." Anyway, as far as blowing up the amp, the impedance matters just at full volume. If you are below that, less current is drawn, all should be fine. NO do NOT put a resistor in series, that will screw up the response and you'd spend more on the resistor than on a new better woofer.
Agreed I wouldn't be surprised its labeled 3ohm so you use the compatible samsung amp.
I rummage through local electronic waste/trash. 90% of what are 2.1 and 5.1 sets from 2000-2010. The Subwoofers are usually torn amps usually dead, The other speakers always work fine (but rarely worth using).
All the samsung stuff Ive found from that era are all labeled 3 ohm, the higher wattage Sharp stuff is labeled 6ohm.
The subwoofer in question is intact and marginally better than what you get from the budget 2.1 speakers on amazon (weirdly no crossover/lowpass filter) .