8ohm vs 16ohm

Hi friends,

I've got a vintage C54 trimline, with the 8ohm LE8T full-range driver, with no network.
I'm thinking of replacing it with 16 ohm driver. And any sonic benefit?
Thanks for your comment in advance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pyonc

Hi friends,

I've got a vintage C54 trimline, with the 8ohm LE8T full-range driver, with no network.
I'm thinking of replacing it with 16 ohm driver. And any sonic benefit?
Thanks for your comment in advance.

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I'd say install what ever sounds best, regardless of the impedance stamped on the back. Back when those were designed - the age of tubes - the 16 ohm had some design advantages, I seem to recall. Today, with solid state everything, I don't think it makes any real difference. I guess LE8T is extinct at this point? Had a friend, way back when, who had one of those C54 and it sounded surprisingly good. I'd keep trying to find / restore the LE8T. Anybody here have recommendations for a current 8" Hi Fi driver?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mannermusic

I'd say install what ever sounds best, regardless of the impedance stamped on the back. Back when those were designed - the age of tubes - the 16 ohm had some design advantages, I seem to recall. Today, with solid state everything, I don't think it makes any real difference. I guess LE8T is extinct at this point? Had a friend, way back when, who had one of those C54 and it sounded surprisingly good. I'd keep trying to find / restore the LE8T. Anybody here have recommendations for a current 8" Hi Fi driver?

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Got it. But the thing is the 8 ohm power amp. If I use this 16ohm driver speaker with this 8 ohm speaker, don't you think it affects the volume, given the difference of ohm? I think I read it somewhere.

Unless you're using a tube amplifier (in which case, use the proper output transformer tap), you may hear a slight reduction in ultimate loudness capability... something you -might- notice if playing the amp at clipping levels (unlikely).

It -is- likely you will notice the volume knob needs to be turned up a little for the same volume (~3dB if marked that way). It will hurt nothing.

Apart from the 16 ohm label that JBL put on early le8T's > I believe all generations have the same working impedance ( 8 ohms ).

IOW; the mission to find a pair of 16 ohm le8's ( that actually measure higher than their 8 ohm brethern ) is right on par with looking for the fountain of youth ( > not sanctioned by the Explorers Club )https://www.explorers.org/uploads/news/SantaSeal2.jpg

:)

lol, well there you go.

So sonic benefit (original question) would be more tied to the condition of the replacement units than anything else.

Thanks a lot, grumpy and Eark K for your valuable comments!:applaud:
By the way, my C54 is a very early one, but its LE8-1 (not LE8T) is 8ohm, not 16 ohm.