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How do you properly size a speaker?

I have a 40x2 watt 4 or 8 ohm tube amp. I am very inexperianced when it comes to proper set up. I literally just bought the cheapest vintage speakers I could find with a name I knew they had no ratings i had to find that info later. I noticed some speakers have a span for wattage like 30 to 75 watts for example. I bought a pair of cerwin vega L7s for 50$ I saw that they are rated 75watt and 8ohm, there is no spectrum on the wattage that I could find. Does that mean I am running them under powered with a 40 watt amp? These are like smaller monitor speakers, would it make a difference to run the bigger floor speakers? Seems like I have seen bigger floor speakers with bigger woofers and more tweeters with wattage ratings from 30 and up? Correct me if I'm wrong I'm just curios because I will be buying a home soon and I was thinking about getting some bigger speakers when I have the room for them.
gguy767
13 responses Add your response
elevick
2,636 posts
 
The wattage rating on a speaker means little.  1 watt of distortion can blow a speaker much faster than 100 clean watts.
You might want to look at more efficient speakers instead of their size or age.  This is why vintage Klipsch, Cervin Vega or Realistic Mach 1's all with horn drivers can be desirable.  They can be rated around 94db to 100db at 1 watt, 1 meter at 8 ohms.  40 watts can drive many speakers to "reasonable" volumes.  Personally I would avoid anything under 90db at 8ohms.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,952 posts
 
In general, bigger speakers are more efficient and in general are able to produce more bass and sound overall off the same @ of watts.

Smaller speakers may be capable of producing similar bass levels but generally require more power to do it.

This is how it works in theory but in practice there are many factors that determine the end sound so relying on size alone can only get you so far.
m-db's avatar
m-db
940 posts
 
I find the room and system depend on my personal taste.

Even though my floor standers are capable I use subwoofers with remote control capability as the loudness button to vary low frequency volume level and their slightly equalized presets for musical genre.

Some recordings simply don't need the low end support, so - subs off.   


millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
How do you properly size a speaker?


Sensitivity. Look for at least a 96.


twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 

Is that in inches or centimeters?

Sensitivity. Look for at least a 96.

gguy767 OP
44 posts
 
I think he means db
luisma31
516 posts
 
Like others have stated look for good sensititvy above 94 / 96 at the very least
But also and this is important with any SS amp not only tube amps like yours, the nominal impedance at the very minimum 8 ohms, if 10 ohms even better and 16 ohm you won't find many speakers on this range. Key word BTW is nominal which is the entire impedance including drivers, crossover etc presented to your amp
mesch
3,427 posts
 
It seems to me that this is a two step situation. First is how does your amp drive the Cerwin Vega speakers you currently have? Likely the 75 watt rating is the high recommendation and your 40 watt amp drives them fine. Are you getting the volume you require without straining your amp?

Once you move into your new home, then you can reconsider what speakers you need based on budget, room size, and volume levels required. As aforementioned by others, the wattage ratings means little, the impedance rating should be known across the frequency range and should not stray below 4ohms therein, and the sensitivity requirement is largely determined by room size and volume requirements.

Once you make the move initiate a new thread indication specific needs for your situation.

Good luck in your search.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,273 posts
 
Tape measure
Post removed 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
How do you properly size a speaker?

Tape measure


Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner!
unsound
7,318 posts
 
^What you really want to measure is how deep it will go and at what volume.
 Submerging in a bathtub can lead to a comparable variable that can be used to measure for the above.
unsound
7,318 posts
 
Seriously, I suggest waiting until you move. Your room will have a lot to do with what speaker variables will best fit. After deciding on speakers, your speakers in your room will have a lot do with what amplification you use.
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