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Is it OK to use an 8 Ohm tubed amp to power 16 Ohm speakers?

There’s a lot of emotion and conflicting answers when I Google this. I have an Air Tight ATM-1s and Zu Audio Druid speakers. The Air Tight is factory-set at 8 Ohms and is switcheable to 16 Ohms but requires removing the base plate and resoldering which I’m reluctant to do — or at least not until listening at the current configuration. Air Tight says it’s fine to have 8 Ohm to 16 Ohm speakers — which I suppose is definitive, but I’m asking the question all the same to this experienced community. Btw, I am not an electrical engineer so please don’t be overly technical in your opionions.

Many thanks.
ijloffsite

Showing 2 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 
I'm aware of the "light loading" method and have tried it.  Like most things concerning High End audio variables and circumstances come into play. My speaker's are 14 ohm and my amplifier has 8 and 16 ohm taps. When using the 8 ohm tap the sound quality is very good.  When using the 16 ohm tap there is a noticeable improvement overall.  So both choices are quite good but the 16 ohm tap was clearly better. 

Again I believe that the results are going to vary depending on the individual components and listeners involved.  When ever possible listen to all available speaker taps and decide which one is preferable. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 
Air Tight is right, trust them. You could try the16 ohm tap on your amplifier and compare the sound to the 8 ohm. It’s possible you may prefer one over the other. That’s a sonic/sound character choice. However either speaker tap is certainly safe and acceptable to use.
Charles
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