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 1 response by swampwalker

That would be fine.  If you search the forums, you will find numerous posts confirming that, including many by amp designer/builder Atmasphere who is firmly of the opinion that amps in general and tube amps in particular, sound better driving higher resistance speakers.