2. amps-preamps
  3. 179032-174629

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 terry9

terry9
2,239 posts
 

Consider a used Bryston. I had a Bryston 3BSST on Magnepan Tympani II and MG IIIAs, which both sounded wonderful. The SST even drove new Quads reasonably well. Haven't tried the previous ST series or the later SST squared, but the first series, 3B, is dull by comparison.

But I have also used DIY 40WPC Class A on an MMW-DWM combination for the HT, and it too sounds wonderful.

It's the quality of your power, much more than the quantity. JJSS is absolutely right - the speakers are a high end product, and precisely transmit the signal they are given. That is where you need to spend money - on your electronics, not cables, not speakers.

IMO.

terry9
2,239 posts
 

@koestner  No, I don't think so. It's more like damming a river and diverting what you need, and letting the rest flow away.

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