Speaker w/ lower power rating than amp?

[rollo]

At full volume, can I use a speaker with a power rating lower than my amp?

For example, A single Celestion Alnico Blue (15W) + My 30W (4xEL84) Laney VC30.

Will it just fry the speaker (then fry the output tranny because of no load) over a period of time?

 

[Deus Vult]

kaboom.

 

[mudfinger]

You're all good, particularly with an AlNiCo speaker.

 

[in2madness]

Does not sound like a good idea to me for the reasons you stated. Blues have a 15 watt continuos rating and love to be pushed but 30 watts is too much for one speaker. The good news is that celestion now make the Gold which is like the Blue but with an improved bass. It is also the best speaker I have heard. I have one in my Dr Z Maz and its the closest I have been to heaven.

 

[randelli]

Well I never been to heaven; but I been to Oklahoma............

 

[G Man]

Well I never been to heaven; but I been to Oklahoma............

Just as an FYI, I believe the two are worlds apart.

 

[ErictheRed]

It depends on how much you care for your speaker...and output transformer. Though the output transformer will probably be fine.

 

[babatube]

 

[chrisuk]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cl5YPJPVAk&feature=player_detailpage]McFlyvakeen - Fus Ro Dah - YouTube[/ame]

 

[qpHalcy0n]

Don't do this. It will almost assuredly kill the speaker. That is a very expensive and fantastic sounding speaker to be gambling with.

 

[rollo]

OK. Thank you internet forums for making things less expensive

 

[in2madness]

Well I never been to heaven; but I been to Oklahoma............

The musical or the city??

 

[12watt]

At full volume, you'll almost certainly kill it.
If you play at a moderate volume you'd most likely not have a problem.

Get a Gold, problem solved.

 

[randelli]

The musical or the city??

I have been as far as Norman OK and it is a quaint town for having a major university. I saw the musical too. The acid-trip fight scene was a little weird.

 

[eaglewolf]

Well I never been to heaven; but I been to Oklahoma............

Well, I've never been to Spain, but I kinda like the music...

OK. Thank you internet forums for making things less expensive

Hmm. That would be a first. I never knew how much my gear sucked until I found these forums. Seems like these forums mostly cost me money!

The Alnico Blue is one speaker that fares quite well even when you don't follow the rule of thumb that the speaker should be rated at twice the amplifier's power rating. However, I think having the amp rated twice the speaker rating might be a formula for disaster. You need to buy an even more expensive speaker and you will be good to go. I guess in the long run that will save you money, not to mention saving an Alnico Blue.

David