How is the power range determined?


Let's say that you have a floor standing speaker with the freq. resp. 30-20KHz, 8 ohm impedance, and 90dB sensitivity.
How would you (or the manufacturer) determine the power range of the speaker?
Is there a way to determine the optimum amp power for the speaker?
If the speaker manufacturer states the power range as 50~300 Watts, if price and size don't matter and everything else equals, would you rather go for as much power as possible, or would you still try different amps with different wattage to determine which amp would be best for the speakers in your room?
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Showing 1 response by phaelon

Recommended amplification for my current 91db speakers was 25-150W. I figured that 70 tube watts would be plenty; and it was, until I through 200 watts at them. I couldn't believe how much music I was missing. Another benefit is that my system became musically satisfying at much lower volumes than it used to.

From a marketing point of view, it's in the best interest of a manufacturer to claim that his speakers are compatible with the widest range of supporting products possible. If this makes sense, then that low recommended figure will nearly always be a stretch.