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Efficient speakers with high powered ss amp?

Relative newbie here, so forgive me for the stupid question. I'm wondering if, in general, it's a mistake to mix 100 watt+ per channel amplifiers with efficient speakers. I know that low powered tube amps need efficient speakers, but do efficient speakers then necessarily perform better with less watts?

I'm looking for speakers that would be a good match for my Odyssey Khartago, and have always been under the impression that higher efficiency speakers are better than inefficient speakers. Would a 98db, 200 watt speaker be ok with the 110 watts per channel Khartago, or should I look for something less efficient.

Apologies, I tried using the search function to look this topic up, but didn't get any results, so I appreciate your thoughts and advice.
rischa

Showing 3 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,752 posts
 
In general you do not need a lot of watts with more efficient speakers.

I have not heard any high efficiency speakers that I could afford or even want to yet that equals the best I have heard in general. For me, the key is find the right speakers that meet your tastes and integrate well into your room and then get the right amp to drive them properly. I would not worry too much about efficiency as a prime determining factor. Even the least efficient speakers out there today can be driven well by newer high efficiency amp designs like Class D/Icepower. The results if done right can be on par with the best I have heard out there.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,752 posts
 
"So are you guys saying you get a new amp everytime you switch speakers? "

Not necessarily each time but something to always perhaps at least consider for best results if the new speakers are not performing as well as they should.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,752 posts
 
"you never know what it will sound like until you try it "

That is undeniably true.

After a while, with some experience, there should be fewer surprises though.
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