2. amps-preamps
  3. 131912-44305

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 bdp24

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 
Modjeski's light-loading recommendation may be based entirely on implementation with his amps. I have found him to be relatively unaware, and uninterested, in what other designers are doing. Interestingly, I found the same to be true of many musical artists---they are so focused on their own art and career that they are unaware of what their contemporaries are doing.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 
Roger Modjeski of Music Reference recommends using the lowest tap that gives you enough power for your speakers (almost all tube amps put out less power as impedance descends). He calls this "light loading". You can use the 8, 4, or 2 ohm tap for 16 ohm speakers, and the 4 or 2 ohm tap for 8 ohm speakers, but not the opposite (taps higher than the speaker’s nominal impedance). The lower the tap, the higher the damping factor and the lower the distortion, generally speaking.
More to discover