8 Ohm Speakers


I understand that speakers less than 8 ohms require more power and will overheat and possibly clip low powered amps. I also understand that my integrated amp runs 60 watts into 8 ohms and 100 into 4 and is not recommended power beyond that. But what are the consequences of driving say 10 or 14 ohm speakers? Is it just less work on the amp? Like the sensitivity, will it play speakers better at lower volume? This may be a naive question but its been ringing around in my head. Thanks in advance.
wirehead

Showing 1 response by redkiwi

These rules are all just fine "all other things being equal" like with all theories. I came across a pair of valve amps made in Korea some years ago. The only tap on them was 8ohm. I tried them on both my sets of speakers at the time - both 4ohm from Thiel and Martin-Logan. They sounded fantastic, so I bought the amps. Since then I have surmised I should get a good pair of 8ohm speakers and hear what these babies can really do. The result was disappointing, but with the good news that these amps sounded equally at home on 4ohm and 8 ohm speakers. I have even continued to try solid state amps on my speakers and am always disappointed that they don't generate the excitement and emotional involvement with the music as the tube monos do, and offer no real improvements in the bass.