Basic question about power/watts


Hi everyone - I have a question that I can't seem to wrap my head around.  

I purchased a pair of Magnepans a few months back. Honestly, I do not like them. They have their moments but overall, pffft.

So, related to this, I keep reading from various Maggie owners you need TONS of power to make these things sing rather than squawk. I bought a new amp that is rated at 80 wpc at 4ohms. This, I realize, is low power when I see these guys saying they are running some crazy amount like 600 watts per channel. Here is my actual question:

When you are listening to your speakers at a normal volume, the wattage you are using is not near the POSSIBLE output, correct? My 80 wpc is unbearable with the volume at the 11 o'clock position. Why does a person need or want 600 watts? I suspect I am missing something here. Maybe this has to do with why I dislike my Magnepans. Somebody take a moment to set me straight?

Thanks! 

timintexas

Showing 2 responses by jjss49

More INFO needed.

Which Maggies?

What  amp are you using?

What size room? 

What is it that you don't like about your Maggies?

ditto @mesch

details matter

tim - add’l info useful

couple other questions

- what stands supporting the lil maggies? - the stock stands under the lrs/lrs+ and .7 really do the speaker no favors... see/search magnarisers

- a pic of your room and setup would be immensely helpful to help us help you

one overarching thing i would say to you, is that the unfortunate truth of the matter is that lil maggies need EXCELLENT ancillary equipment upstream, especially the amp (yours is entirely insufficient at this point to let the speakers show what they can do, sorry to say... the pioneer receiver, used as amp or preamp, needs to be replaced) --- it is one of the huge ironies of maggies and their low-cost-of-entry speakers at 800-1000-1500 a pair... the customer buys them, then they need 3--5 thousand bucks of upstream gear to make them do what they are capable of doing... 😥