Speaker/amp impedance matching & power rating/handling question

[virtualblues]

I have a speaker/amp impedance matching question that may be about power rating/power handling too. I want to operate two 15-watt Celestion Alnico Blue speakers with a 30-watt Dr. Z Stangray. Players on the Z-talk forum like this combination a lot. Should I wire (2) 8 ohm speakers series for a 16 ohm load, wire them parallel as a 4 ohm load or………….?? The Stangray has 4, 8 and 16 ohm taps. Will it be safe either way?

I always appreciate the knowledgeable responses here. Thanks.

[strat a various]

There's a guy around here, who's name I forgot, who claims that wiring speakers in series sounds way better than in parallel. I don't hear it, but he does, so ... I want some of what he's holding. That's one thing to consider, if you buy his interpretation.
Here's another angle: you're planning to run a 30 watt amp into JUST 30 watts of power handling. That amp generates 30 watts at relatively clean volumes ...at loud overdrive, maybe pushing 50 watts peak or more. I'd wire them in parallel, then if one blows, as it could, the other will still present a load to your OT. In series, if one fries, you have nada for impedance- could fark up your amp.

[rockon1]

Originally Posted by strat a various

Here's another angle: you're planning to run a 30 watt amp into JUST 30 watts of power handling. That amp generates 30 watts at relatively clean volumes ...at loud overdrive, maybe pushing 50 watts peak or more. I'd wire them in parallel, then if one blows, as it could, the other will still present a load to your OT. In series, if one fries, you have nada for impedance- could fark up your amp.

If your pushing it enough to blow one speaker the remaining speaker will probably blow before you have time to figure out ones blown now that the remaing speaker is handling all the power so Ive never really understood that logic.

I wire for convienience and sound with a preference to 16 ohms in series. The difference in series wiring is slight and more noticable with dissimilar speakers. Thise are my thoughts on the subject and as usual may be wrong but thats all right. Bob

[strat a various]

I've blown more than a dozen speakers at louder gigs at sizable venues ...whether I could tell if a speaker blew during a tune aside, I've never lost a second one immediately. I have, however, been able to play the song to the end, and often, play to the end of the set, on one of two speakers or three of four. As soon as I figured something sounded off, I backed off the major volume. Never have lost all the speakers at once. That's convenient, I'd say.

[SatelliteAmps]

Originally Posted by rockon1

If your pushing it enough to blow one speaker the remaining speaker will probably blow before you have time to figure out ones blown now that the remaing speaker is handling all the power so Ive never really understood that logic.

I wire for convienience and sound with a preference to 16 ohms in series. The difference in series wiring is slight and more noticable with dissimilar speakers. Thise are my thoughts on the subject and as usual may be wrong but thats all right. Bob

I'm right there with you. I prefer wiring for 16Ω. I've blown speakers in both situations. Neither is right or wrong, just different.