How much power do I need?

Several quick observations: 1) power required to drive a speaker with a sensitivity of 85dB/W/m 2) no clear measurement of the actual sound level that was being produced in the room 3) largely percussive music that resembles sound effects may or may not give a solid understanding of how the amp/speaker combination will perform with more or less demanding choices.

Conclusion: more power is nearly always better unless a system is carefully selected to allow lower power amplifiers to get the job done.
 
Well, right now my 25 watt Melody AN300B integrated is driving Trenner & Friedl Art's quite well. The Sophia Royal Princess 300b's are creating some nice separation of instruments and Joni Mitchell's voice on Conversation! (Lady of the Canyon album)
 
Typically 200 watts on a 88db/w/m speaker ( point source) will suffice for realistic playback levels with a 3M listening distance .. With a 85db/w/m speaker clipping will occur on music with high crest factor.

With the typical 100/100 watts or less ( 85db/w/m) your favorite amp will be the one with the best overload mushroom cloud ..


Enjoy ..


PS: Often overlooked is listening room noise floor , a very quite dedicated listening environment usually lends itself to lower avg listening levels ..
 
Kuoppis said:
This is quite nice. The interesting thing is that it really comes down to the environment and type of music you like.

Still think the INT-60 is very nice with the 3 PSRs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Well if you eliminate piano, symphony with Choir and Drum snares you're good....


:)
 
It would be nice to be able to measure the number of watts headed down the speaker wire at a given time. I'm doubtful of Db meters and their accuracy. Anyone ever use an ohm meter or other device to measure wattage actually being used?
 
There's lots of 750 watts $500 receivers laying around, right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ask Alan. Apparently that's all you need.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
a.wayne said:
Well if you eliminate piano, symphony with Choir and Drum snares you're good...
Click to expand...

Well, you're forgetting the pipe organ smartypants.

For full range stuff it indeed makes sense to use large LS and tons of power, yada yada yada. There are however different listening situations, and some which neither require nor are suitable for such.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Actually pipe organs have low crest factors but do require RMS power , I'm doubtful most here have a system capable of sustained pipe organ notes in the 25 watt range.

Musical Peaks is what eat up amplifier power, Like strikes on a Piano ...


Regards
 
...so you're saying a small two-way stand mounters are suitable for pipe organ music if you just have a lots of power?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
750 watts on Harbeth 40.2's is the same as 8 watts on Avantgarde Duo Mezzo XD's.

Just saying...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top