4 8 or 16 ohms.


Hi group I just purchased the Audio Research REF 750s mono amps. On the back for the speaker terminals are 3 sets of binding posts. 4 8 and 16 ohms. I will be using B&W Matrix 800 speakers. I believe they are 8 ohms but not 💯 sure. I looked in the manual but can’t find anything about ohms. Someone said to me it does not matter what ohms I connect my speakers to. He said just use the ones (ohms) that sound best. Does that seem right to do ? I don’t want to damage my speakers or amps.  BTW if it matters I will be using an Audio Research REF 6SE pre amp. 

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xtattooedtrackman

The different taps have different source impedances.  The 4 ohm tap has the lowest impedance of the amp itself in order to minimize the frequency response changes from the interaction with the low impedance of the speaker.  This tap would also lower the frequency response changes of higher impedance speakers too, but those response changes are much smaller and of less consequence.  The tradeoff of using the 4 ohm tap is that less power can be delivered to your speakers.  
Use what sounds best.  It might be the case that you will like the frequency response changes wrought by using the 16 ohm tap with your 4 ohm rated speaker.    This is not usually the case, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

As already mentioned try them all (I’ve been surprised with what I preferred on my old Pilot 232 and 240 amps).

I don’t know if it’s available as a poster, but the cover of "Tales of the Beanworld" No. 4 would be interesting considering the cosmetics of the 800’s.

https://majorspoilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/TOTB2-165x250.jpg

 

DeKay

 

 

What a great system you have assembled!

I’d say I was jealous, but my wife has other words for me.😁