Advice regarding speaker compatibility with amplifier - impedance

[atumshie]

Hi Guys,

I'm not very up on electronics, so apologies if this has been asked a million times before.

My old Sugden A48 MkII (circa 1980, with the red stripe) is rated for 8 Ohm speakers. Would pairing with 6 Ohm speakers cause it any problems?
Its power output is 45W / channel.
Thanks

[Ali Tait]

The rating is nominal, it will be fine.

[Filterlab]

Shouldn’t be a problem, although the impedance varies across the frequency range on loudspeakers, sometimes by quite a long way. Speaker manufacturers sometimes offer an impedance graph which will show the lowest load the speakers will present.

What speakers do you have / are you looking to buy?

[atumshie]

Thanks Ali,
I kinda thought that - I just didn't want to kill the old amp by making a "schoolboy error" by pairing it with speakers more suited to a more modern amp.

[atumshie]

Thanks Rob,

I'm looking at the Elac UB52s. I think the lowest load is around 5.5 Ohms, sure I saw that somewhere can't find where though.
Currently have MA Bronze BX2 :(
Have you or indeed any one, heard much about them?

[Filterlab]

I love the Elac BS 243s, superb speakers. Elac make top notch stuff indeed, and the UB52s shouldn’t worry your Sugden.

They’re not particularly sensitive at 85dB/W/m so you’ll be further up the volume dial than with your MAs, but the speed and clarity of those drive units will surprise you no doubt! Nice choice and certainly don’t worry about the impedance, Elac actually quote 6 Ohms as the minimum.

[atumshie]

Thanks Rob, always good to have a sanity check before diving in with both feet.
I'm getting them on a home trial first so I'll be able to tell if the decrease in sensitivity distresses my wife :)
I need something that gives me more than the BX2s in terms of soundstage and clarity, so I'm gonna start with the Elacs. If they don't fit, I'll maybe the Quad S2s as I don't have a huge budget available

[Filterlab]

They’ll be a step up no doubt, well made speakers. Less bright than the MAs too which will make them a good match for the Sugden. Good to be able to trial before buying.

I’ve not heard the S2s so I can’t comment on those, but Quad make some good speakers. :)

[atumshie]

They’ll be a step up no doubt, well made speakers. Less bright than the MAs too which will make them a good match for the Sugden. Good to be able to trial before buying.

I’ve not heard the S2s so I can’t comment on those, but Quad make some good speakers. :)

I'll report back once I've managed to have a listen. Thanks for the help to both you and Ali

[Filterlab]

Enjoy!

[atumshie]

Enjoy!

I have had the Elacs for a week now.

I love them - after about 4 or 5 days swapped the MA bronze's back in...they were unlistenable to!
Pretty laid back but so much better that even my wife understands and likes them.

This is a massive step up for me and I could not be happier, work beautifully with the Sugden.
I'm happy, the wife's happy. Best £600 I ever spent.

Thanks again for the assurances!

[Filterlab]

Excellent stuff! I knew the Elacs would do it for you. Marvellous speakers they are.