So when replacing speakers I understand the ohm rating must be kept the same, but what about the watt rating. If I have an 8 ohm, 1 watt speaker, can I replace it with an 8 ohm 5 watt speaker? If so, do I loose anything by doing this?
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Might lose some volume. The 1 watt speaker is usually more efficient.
But the ratings may be different - frequency response, eg., so it depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
I would be more concerned with the magnet size than the watt rating. The bigger the magnet, the stronger the speaker. I replaced some of those 1/2 watt-1W 50mm speakers and a small magnet with
a 3 watt 50mm speaker with a larger magnet on my MTH locos with better sound results because the magnet was more powerful.
Too many variables to make assumptions on speaker sizes. 1 watt should be sufficient as most model train audio only produces that. Like Rob says its not power rating that accounts for volume, its efficiency, watts in vs volume out.
A small rare earth magnet speaker will appear smaller than one with a ceramic magnet and still sound better.
When shopping for speakers after verifying the correct size and impedance I look for the free air resonance (Fs) if that number is available. The lower the better. Try and find one with a number below 200. Efficiency is given in db per watt. The higher the number the better.
Pete
