Absolutely yes you can go higher. In general it is safer than having a too high versus underpowered amp. Running out of juice will fry speakers more easily. Now, on the other hand if you run at ear bleeding sound levels you should be a bit carefull. But most speakers will play very loud, and will give notice that they are under stress before you damage them.
I have probably had amps twice as powerful as max for the first thirty years of my audio career and never damaged a thing.