Speaker Efficiency

When you mentioned 80db at your listening position I’m assuming you mean peak not average, which isn’t all that loud.  The power needed to increase volume is logarithmic, you can still get to relatively loud levels with low power.  Tubes also soft clip so it could be cheating to get to 80 and you might not even notice.  Try hitting 90 or 95 db peaks and you’ll quickly realize why you originally had them paired with the Forte.  I’d also be much more concerned with damaging the speakers then the amp.  Clipping of any type is not good for voice coils.  I’ve paid to replace a few drivers once.  Learned my lesson.  Be really careful with low wattage amps.  They may have sounded great at the time and then you come back the next day and certain songs don’t sound quite right.  Then comes the fear and panic. It’s not pleasant. 

@mikelavigne wrote:

i’m not always the biggest Harley fan with his tendency toward hyperbole.....but in this case he nailes it. a quick read worth your time.

I fully agree - on all mentioned. 

@mapman Wrote:

Oh it will work. Almost any pairing will “work” and make sound. It might even work well enough for some in some cases. But the pairing will never bring out the best in either component.

Exactly!

@marktheshark Wrote:

Typo, the Electa Amator is 4 ohms at 88db

That means the speaker is getting two watts not one watt. I.e. Sensitivity @ one watt @ one meter @ eight Ohms =88 dB SPL @ four Ohms= two watts for 88 dB SPL @ one meter. In other words, your speakers are getting two watts from the amp not one to get 88 dB SPL @ one meter. Also, any amplifier driving lower impedances = higher distortion.😎

@mikelavigne Wrote:

i’m not always the biggest Harley fan with his tendency toward hyperbole.....but in this case he nailes it. a quick read worth your time.

I agree!

Mike

Amps, and especially tube amps, do not perform sonically optimally as they’re pushed more toward their limits.  But, that said, if you had the volume knob pretty cranked and were still enjoying the sound maybe that amp even working sub-optimally still works for you.  Follow your ears. 

I'm thinking that unless the room is huge, 80 db in the listening chair is nowhere near full crank.