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8 Ohm Speakers

I understand that speakers less than 8 ohms require more power and will overheat and possibly clip low powered amps. I also understand that my integrated amp runs 60 watts into 8 ohms and 100 into 4 and is not recommended power beyond that. But what are the consequences of driving say 10 or 14 ohm speakers? Is it just less work on the amp? Like the sensitivity, will it play speakers better at lower volume? This may be a naive question but its been ringing around in my head. Thanks in advance.
wirehead
vader007
121 posts
 
I dont know of any speakers made over 8 ohms, what speakers are you looking at?
wirehead OP
140 posts
 
The Coincident Eclipse series are rated at 14 ohms
jaica
81 posts
 
Watts = Current square X Resistance
W= I square * R
For a solid state amp with a good power supply you will double the Watts if you half the resistance since the current in the circuit will double. This will only work with an adequate power supply. On the same token a high resistance speaker say 16 ohms will reduce the wattage by one half.

Tube amps do not work that way. Most tube amps will reduce output at lower Resistance, or have a stable watt ouput at best. That is the nature of the beast. Tube amps like loads of 8 to 16 ohms no problem.

Coincident is a good speaker example of high resistive load say 10 to 14 ohms. It has been in the last 20 or 25 years that you see a lot of 4 ohms and lower speakers. Before that 8 ohms and higher was the norm.
wirehead OP
140 posts
 
Jaica: Thank you for your response. I guess what has me confused is that at some point my solid state amp won't be effective with a speaker (if it exists) with a 2 ohm resistance. Now can the same be said going the other way, higher resistance? I notice when I play my 32 ohm headphones the volume must be doubled and I assume at that point the 60 watt amp is only pushing out 15 watts. So just like tube amps must solid state amps be matched to speakers, but for different reasons?
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