For years I drove Proac Response 2.5's with a Cary CAD-301, a rare SE triode 300B beast putting out a max rated 14W. See the Stereophile impedance plot of the 2.5s, definitely an 8ohm speaker. Definitely plenty loud enough when required. Reinforces my belief that not all watts are the same.
Minimum recommended amplification requirements and amplifier matching
If a speaker has a "recommended amplification requirement" between 80W-200W with a 90dB sensitivity what are the actual minimum amplification requirement? In particular, the Line Magnetic 211ia is rated at 15W triode and 32W ultralinear. Can smaller tube amplifiers provide enough wattage to drive speakers that require more than twice the recommended output?