2. amps-preamps
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Determining exact power being sent to your speaker

How does one go about determining the exact amount of power being delivered by the amplifier to the speakers? Let's say the amp delivers 160w/channel at 4ohms (or so the reading materials state anyway) but yet the speaker specs show 120w maximum. My current integrated amp shows the volume
attenuation (dB units) in .5db steps ranging from -100 (min) up to 0.0 (max).

All that said, the concern is when should I be concerned about pushing too much power to the speakers and how I can determine the "Don't turn it up past this number on the display or you will damage the speakers..."
vineman55

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,670 posts
 

The amplifier power is never continuous. It’s 0W at silence and maximum wattage at the loudest.

A speaker’s power rating is based on maximum output. If a speaker is rated for 100W maximum, you can safely use a 300W amplifier with it so long as you don’t play it too loud.

You can calculate "too loud" bu using the power to db conversion. That is, if a speaker is rated for 100W, and 90 dB sensitivity:

dB = log10(100) = 20.

That is, at 100W input the speaker will play it’s rated sensitivity + 20. So, if your speaker is 90 dB at 1 watt, it will be at 110 dB at maximum. Just don’t play your speaker more than 110 dB (at 1 meter or yard) and you’ll be fine with any size amp.

https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/electric/db-converter.html

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