Damping Factor

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Haysus
Posts: 522
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:06 am
Location: St.Louis, MO

Damping Factor

#1 Post by Haysus »

I found this to be a very informative article. Making me rethink some of my 2ohm practices. :oops: :broke:
http://www.bennettprescott.com/download ... factor.pdf

Bennet Prescott also has more articles of pro sound info

4 20" T39(built)
2 WH8(built)
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4 DR200(own)

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Damping Factor

#2 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Damping factor is a non-factor. If it was problematic tube amps wouldn't work. This article, by a recognized authority in the field, explains why.
http://www.diyspeakers.net/Articles/Ric ... FACTOR.pdf

Joe-Trojan
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Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:17 am

Re: Damping Factor

#3 Post by Joe-Trojan »

Found the article here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/71687340/Rich ... ing-Factor or here: http://www.cartchunk.org/audiotopics/DampingFactor.pdf

but it seems there is more to it, quoted from that article from the conclusion: "We have not looked at the frequency dependent attenuative effects of the source resistance".

I have always had in my mind damping factor was more important/audible the lower in frequency, below 100hz or so, and very driver dependent. I tend to go for 8 ohm versions over 4 ohm versions of the same driver if I can for subs, perhaps in vain? Anyone have any more info? I'm overloading Googles servers here trying to find anything, will link it if I do.

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Bill Fitzmaurice
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Re: Damping Factor

#4 Post by Bill Fitzmaurice »

Damping factor is a non-factor. If it was problematic tube amps wouldn't work.
Some SS amp manufacturers make a big deal about damping factor. Why? Because SS has a naturally high damping factor, so they use it as a sales tool. And that's all it is. The preferred amplification for really serious oddiophiles is Class A SET, which has a very low damping factor. They're not convinced by the SS advertising. Neither should you be.

Joe-Trojan
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Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:17 am

Re: Damping Factor

#5 Post by Joe-Trojan »

This article from the 1950's http://www.paulspeltz.com/tomcik/index.html back when it probably was a factor. Talks about the entire damping chain, that is speaker, enclosure and amp.

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