Chumley the Walrus wrote:
I'm trying to get the correct matchups right so that i do not blow
speakers or power amps:

All this is discussed in the FAQ.

I can obviously run one 8 ohm speaker with an amp that emits 8 ohms.
Can I run 2 8 ohm speakers with an 8 ohm amp?

If you put them in series (for higher distortion), you get a 16 ohm load.
If you put them in parallel you get a 4 ohm load. If the amp is rated
to drive an 8 ohm load, it won't drive a 4 ohm load.

wITH A 16 ohm amp, what happens if i run one 8 ohm speaker. Amp blows
up?

Yes. If it's a solid-state amp without an output transformer.

What happens if i run 2 8 ohm speakers with 16 ohms?

You have to put them in series. This doesn't sound very good, but it
prevents the amp from being overloaded.

With two 300 watt speakers, is it OK if i use an 850 watt power amp,
without turning it up (especially the bass) full blown?

Maybe. Speaker power ratings are generally pulled out of some marketing
department guy's rear end.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."