4 ohm tap vs 8 ohm tap


I have read reports about using the 4 ohm tap regardless of what the ohm rating for your speakers are. Right at this moment (who knows how long) I am using Meadowlark Shearwater speakers with Rogue Magnum 120 amps.
What would the audible difference be? And could I cause any damage to either products by running the Meadowlarks which are rated for 8 ohm with the 4 ohm tap?
Thanks, Scott
scottht

Showing 2 responses by aroc

At the 4 ohm tap, you would be running the signal through more transformer windings than at the 8 or 16 ohm tap. The 2 ohm tap (if you have one) would go thru even more output transformer windings. And all things being equal (and they never are) more wire yields a more degraded signal. How much? depends on if the better damping factor is worth the (small) loss in signal quality.

Also the amp may sound different into the different impedance taps. IT may not "sound right" using a 2 or 4 ohm tap with you speakers. things may sound better with the 8. Or with the four. use your ears. depends on what low impedance dips your speakers have.
Thanks for the corrections Al. I did a quick internet search and you are right on the money. Thanks again. Gotta watch who you get advise from!