Can i hook 8ohm speakers up to a 16ohm amp?

Question

I've reclaimed my wife's grandmother's old Panasonic receiver and need to hook it up to some speakers.

Problem is that the speaker output is labeled as 16 ohm, and finding 16ohm speakers is nigh on impossible.

I'm aware that I could run two sets of 8ohm speakers in series, but I'd rather not have to.

Ignoring the fact that impedance mismatch may not produce the best possible sound, is it possible - given i'm not going to be playing this thing particularly loud - just to use 8ohm speakers and put up with any reduction in sound quality?

Or is it a complete no-no? Will 8 ohm speakers fry the amp?

Answer 1

First of all, I am very suprised this receiver really has a 16 ohm MINIMUM rating.   You may be reading the label wrong.  Some of the older recevers would label the speaker connection with a range of impedences like 4 to 16 ohms.  I doubt very much that it is a 16 ohm MINIMUM rating because home stereo speakers with a 16 ohm rating are very rare.  Almost all are 4, 6 or 8 ohms and it has been that way for decades.

If it REALLY is a 16 ohm minimum rating then don't use the 8 ohm speakers especially if you plan to crank it a lot.  The series wiring scheme would work, but I wouldn't mess with it.

Answer 2

Given your caveat that you are "not going to be playing this thing particularly loud" then you may connect your 8 ohm 'speakers with impunity.  

There's no point in messing around with an attentuator which will reduce the power to 0.8 of its input (that's -1dB), or indeed of any other value.

Impedance mismatch will make no difference whatsoever to the quality of the sound.

Answer 3

Put a 1 dB attenuator in the line to each speaker.  Design the attenuator for 16 ohms in and 8 ohms out.  You won't miss the 1 dB.  Be sure to size the in-line resistors for sufficient dissipation.  Seems you have a background, so I will leave the design details to you.  Easy to do.  4 resistors on each lead. The attenuator would protect the amp too.

Actually, a 1 dB attenuator would reduce the power by 15% not 20%.  Small price to pay to be safe and sure.  

Good luck and 73 from the Fisherman