Straight 8

About the Straight 8

The Straight 8 is a speaker kit offered by Bottlehead, known for its ability to handle high power levels, reportedly up to 150 watts. It is designed to work well with tube amplifiers, including 300B single-ended triode amps and EL84 push-pull amps. The speakers measure down to approximately 55 Hz in open air and likely extend into the 40 Hz range when placed in a room. They are capable of playing loudly and are often paired with subwoofers set to around 40 Hz to fill out the lower bass. The kit is part of Bottlehead's audiophile DIY offerings, which emphasize excellent design and high parts quality, allowing enthusiasts to build their own high-end audio systems. The Straight 8 speakers have 16 ohm taps, matching well with amplifiers that provide 16 ohm outputs. Users recommend using acoustical treatment as per Bottlehead's Climax speaker recommendations to optimize performance.