Ok to run 16ohm speaker into 8ohm amp?

[pyonc]

Hi friends,

Some vintage JBL speakers from the 1960s are fitted with 16 ohm woofers, mid-range drivers and high tweeters.
Is it safe to run such speakers through a 8 ohm amp? And what about sonic difference or any other difference from the mismatch?
I hear tube amps are fine, but not the solid state... Any comment or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[pos]

Yes, no problem at all, beside the reduction in power output capabilities in most cases.
The higher the load the better for the amp (less distortion, less noise, etc.).

[pyonc]

Yes, no problem at all, beside the reduction in power output capabilities in most cases.
The higher the load the better for the amp (less distortion, less noise, etc.).

Got it. Which amp sounds better for 16 ohm Olympus, tube or solid state, in your opinion?

[pos]

I have no experience with tube amps.
I tend to choose my amps based on specifications and measurements, looking for the most neutral amp with adequate gain and power figures.
I guess a good tube amp would do but of course they tend to be less powerful and have a higher output impedance (ie lower damping factor) which leads to linear distortion (ie response curve modification, especially in the LF range).

[pyonc]

I have no experience with tube amps.
I tend to choose my amps based on specifications and measurements, looking for the most neutral amp with adequate gain and power figures.
I guess a good tube amp would do but of course they tend to be less powerful and have a higher output impedance (ie lower damping factor) which leads to linear distortion (ie response curve modification, especially in the LF range).

I see. Given that the speaker system is 16 ohm, it looks like tubes (40-watts, for example) might be a better match.
The guy who gave me a chance to audition the S8R ran tube amps, which sounded great.

[Malefoda]

Yes, no problem at all, beside the reduction in power output capabilities in most cases.
The higher the load the better for the amp (less distortion, less noise, etc.).

One of the LS3/5A secret?