Damping controls how your speakers behave after the music stops.
When you feed a signal to a woofer, it moves—then it needs to stop. The amplifier’s damping factor describes how tightly it can control that motion. Low damping and the woofer keeps moving, muddying the next note. High damping and the amp acts like a brake, stopping motion quickly.
Damping factor is the ratio between speaker impedance and the output impedance of the amplifier. A damping factor of 10 means the amp’s output impedance is 10 times lower than the speaker’s. That’s decent. Some solid-state amps hit 100 or more.
But it’s not just about numbers. Damping affects bass control, punch, and articulation. Ever heard a system where the low end sounds big but bloated? That’s usually underdamping. On the flip side, too much damping with the wrong speaker can make bass sound overly tight or lean.
Tube amps often have low damping factors, which can be a great match for high-efficiency speakers with gentle cones. But pair them with big, heavy woofers and you might hear bass that wanders or booms.
The goal isn’t always “more damping,” but if you have a choice, go for the dampest you can find.
Control matters and we certainly don't want our woofers running the show.
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