Simple Explanation

How well an amplifier can stop a speaker from vibrating after the sound signal stops.

Concise Technical Definition

The damping factor is the ratio of a loudspeaker’s nominal impedance to the amplifier’s output impedance (including speaker cables); it reflects how precisely the amplifier can control speaker cone motion, especially at low frequencies.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like slamming the brakes on a car: a good amplifier with a high damping factor stops the speaker cone quickly and cleanly, without overshooting or bouncing.

Industry Usage Summary

A key performance spec in amplifier design, especially important in subwoofer and full-range speaker control. A high damping factor ensures accurate, tight bass and avoids muddy or boomy sound.

Engineering Shortcut

Damping Factor = Load Impedance ÷ Source Impedance. High values (e.g., 100:1) mean better control over the speaker’s reactive back-emf.

Full Technical Explanation

The damping factor quantifies an amplifier’s ability to control the motion of a loudspeaker’s voice coil after the driving signal ends. It is calculated by dividing the speaker’s nominal impedance by the total output impedance of the amplifier and cables. Higher damping factors mean greater control, reducing unwanted cone movement due to stored energy or back-electromotive force (back-emf). The most noticeable benefit is tighter, more defined bass. However, practical damping effects can diminish with long cable runs or high-resistance speaker wires.