Author Topic: More speaker ohmage questions........ (Read 3956 times)

gamesandy135 · « **on:** March 04, 2008, 07:56:40 PM »

Ok, so I need to know. I've searched what feels like everywhere on the internet and through these forums themselves and not really found a definitive answer.
My combo amp is 8 ohm and I am wondering whether a 16 ohm speaker will work in it?
Most places say that you should match the speakers ohmage to the amps, but never give definite answers. Also, when e-mailing Celestion, they said that any ohmage of their speakers would work, but I wanted more opinions before I treid it.
Most of the replies I've read have been sort of wishy/washy, maybe/probably not/don't know answers.
I've e-mailed Laney directly and no reply.
I don't want to try it without knowing in-case something goes bang.
So, hopefully someone round here has the knowledge that I seek and also quite a few other people I've come across looking for this information.[/i]

Will · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2008, 08:04:58 PM »

It needs to be determined what ohmage your amp can run at...

It seems it can run at 8, as thats what was factory installed? If you have a lil switch, like most amps do, you surely can run a 16ohm speaker off of it

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2008, 08:15:02 PM »

Sorry, just realised that I have no info on the amp! It's a Laney VC30 1x12 which is rated at 8ohms and it has a switch on the back to switch from 8 to 4 ohms, not 16 though.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2008, 08:25:23 PM »

The schematic I have for the VC30 only shows 4 and 8 ohm taps - seems you're out of luck. Or, just buy a speaker of the correct ohmage - why do you want to use a 16ohm speaker specifically?

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2008, 09:30:11 PM »

Thanks for the reply, It's just that I have a very nice alnico gold from another amp which is 16ohms, and I would have loved to put it in the Laney.
Ah well, thanks for clearing it up though.
Out of curiosity though, what would happen if the 16 ohm speaker was put into the Laney, for example?

Twinfan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2008, 09:49:52 PM »

It will stifle the amp and it won't be as loud. Plus you're putting more stress on the output transformer so you risk damaging it.

Elliot · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2008, 12:15:42 AM »

There is a lot of voodoo spoken by a lot of people about this. Words like arching and burn back. I ran an 8ohm amp with a 16ohm speaker for years with no ill effect - I run my 4 ohm Champ through an 8 ohm speaker - also with no ill effect and it has a tiny o/t.

The normal rule is that in a valve amp 100% upwards mismatch won't hurt the amp and wont burn out an output transformer - but it won't be as loud (which may not be a bad thing) and may appear a bit like a bag has been put over the amp. Again some people like that sound.

Of course 8 ohm is best - by a 2x12 and get another 16 ohm speaker.

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2008, 11:52:01 AM »

The lower the ohmage, the harder the output transformer has to work. I'm surprised that Laney has output transformers that can handle 4 Ohms. That's a good thing.

As long as you're not driving the amp too hard, it shouldn't be too much of a problem hooking up speakers that aren't the recommended ohmage. Just make shure the amp can get rid of the extra heat.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2008, 10:34:17 PM »

a 100% mismatch either way most likely won't hurt the amp at all, it will change your tone though.