enough amplifier power


I am curious as to why so many people think that their amplifiers are powerful enough for their speakers. I use a Yamamoto A-08S--around 1.5 watts output. I use it with a Fostex F-106ESR. The combination is a little ragged at low volumes, but beautifully immediate. Distorts awfully at anything approaching a decent volume. I see people using 20-100 watt amplifiers with medium efficiency loudspeakers. I do not see how this can work any better. If you work out the math, most loudspeakers need 200-500 watts minimum. That is not even taking into account low impedance loudspeakers. Do people not know what distortion sounds like? Or, compression either, for that matter? Please enlighten me.
hedwigstheme

Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

So the moral of the story is that we all should be listening to MC and ditch our under 92 DB efficient speakers? MC got me on”they should do as I recommended and avoid speakers under 92DB” how pompous of him.
The moral of the story is you should read what I write and work on your reading comprehension. Like, "avoid" does not mean "get rid of". That is just a fact. You could look it up. In fact, I recommend you do. While you are at it, look up "pompous". Pretty sure it does not mean "helpful" which is what anyone who takes my advice and avoids low sensitivity speakers will agree, it certainly is helpful. 

Another good one, look up some adjectives for one with poor reading and writing skills. The more of those you learn, the less of a problem with it you will have. That ain't pompous, just a fact. And you could use the help.
Hard to tell which way you really are going with this so I will just say your example supports what I keep repeating, the most important thing is speaker sensitivity. Your flea watt amp probably sounds absolutely captivating. That is the calling card of OTL. But low power absolutely calls for high sensitivity speakers. 

Most people, if they would simply do as I recommend and avoid anything under 92dB will then be able to enjoy great sound from a wide selection of amps with anywhere from 20 watts on up. If they go to 98dB then even a flea watt amp like yours will still deliver a clean 101dB on peaks, and still be as you say beautifully immediate.  

I think you are right about people not noticing. So many speakers out there are 88dB, which is freaking ridiculous, these do need hundreds of watts. No wonder these same people are always opining on the importance of finding the right amp to match. They could use yours and be happy but they would have to ditch their Wilsons and Magicos for tenth the price Tekton and Klipsch, something few who have drank that Cool-Aide are likely ever to do.