Guitar Speaker elements: 8 ohm vs. 16 ohm

blackcom · 2nd May 2006

It's time to replace the speakers in my very old marshall 4x12" cabinett. I'm getting some new celestion ones.
Most models comes in both 8 and 16 ohm versions. My poweramp has both 8 and 16 ohm outputs, but what is the concequence of choosing one version over the other?

Will 16 ohm speakers allow me to push the tubes in my poweramp harder at a lower volume, and most important; does it have any affect on the sound at all?

tINY · 3rd May 2006

It shouldn't matter too much as long as you select the right impedance on the amp.

16 ohms has gone the way of the dodo bird - get the 8 ohm if you have a choice.

-tINY

Yuri Kogan · 3rd May 2006

Yes it does have an effect. With 16ohm you will get more "dynamics", the "feel" will be different.
With 8ohm the sound will be slightly heavier, but not as "precise".

This of course depends on the amp you are using and is very subjective. You would need to listen yourself. For example my personal preference with a JMP and jcm800 marshalls is for the 16ohm cab, but half the guitarists using our studio prefer the 8ohm

Yuri

tINY · 3rd May 2006

Ok, so you get 25dB of dynamic range from the 16ohm on a marshal head instead of only 23dB.

Your output transformers may vary....

-tINY

blackcom · 4th May 2006

But will 16 ohm make the tubes of my amp work harder at the same volume?

TAVD · 4th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcom

But will 16 ohm make the tubes of my amp work harder at the same volume?

NO, if you use the corresponding tap on the OT. There should be no difference b/t the 8 & 16 ohm speakers.

DeepSpace · 4th May 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAVD

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackcom
But will 16 ohm make the tubes of my amp work harder at the same volume?

NO, if you use the corresponding tap on the OT. There should be no difference b/t the 8 & 16 ohm speakers.

Agreed.

The power tubes only ever 'see' the primary winding on the output transformer, so that doesn't change, provided the connected load is properly matched to the secondary winding it is connected to. So an 8 ohm load on the 8 ohm tap of the OT should put exactly the same load on the tubes as a 16 ohm load on the 16 ohm tap of the OT.

allencollins · 4th May 2006

there is a difference but only in tube amps naturally

2nd May 2006	#1
blackcom Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 960 Thread Starter	Guitar Speaker elements: 8 ohm vs. 16 ohm It's time to replace the speakers in my very old marshall 4x12" cabinett. I'm getting some new celestion ones. Most models comes in both 8 and 16 ohm versions. My poweramp has both 8 and 16 ohm outputs, but what is the concequence of choosing one version over the other? Will 16 ohm speakers allow me to push the tubes in my poweramp harder at a lower volume, and most important; does it have any affect on the sound at all?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why 4.7 Ohm?	Cojo	Geekslutz forum	10	21st May 2006 10:27 AM
Guitar Speaker elements: 8 ohm vs. 16 ohm	blackcom	So much gear, so little time!	16	20th May 2006 12:28 AM
200 ohm mic / 600 ohm mic	Dog_Chao_Chao	So much gear, so little time!	1	22nd March 2006 05:27 PM
16 ohm amp head into 32ohm speaker?	Coldsnow	So much gear, so little time!	5	16th May 2004 11:52 PM
Ohm Force goes AU	Ivory Force	So much gear, so little time!	1	16th June 2003 08:31 PM

3rd May 2006	#2
tINY Gear Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,206	It shouldn't matter too much as long as you select the right impedance on the amp. 16 ohms has gone the way of the dodo bird - get the 8 ohm if you have a choice. -tINY

3rd May 2006	#3
Yuri Kogan Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 266	Yes it does have an effect. With 16ohm you will get more "dynamics", the "feel" will be different. With 8ohm the sound will be slightly heavier, but not as "precise". This of course depends on the amp you are using and is very subjective. You would need to listen yourself. For example my personal preference with a JMP and jcm800 marshalls is for the 16ohm cab, but half the guitarists using our studio prefer the 8ohm Yuri

4th May 2006	#5
blackcom Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 960 Thread Starter	But will 16 ohm make the tubes of my amp work harder at the same volume?

4th May 2006	#8
allencollins 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Rosedale Cemetery Singing Beach, MA Posts: 4,873	there is a difference but only in tube amps naturally