How many watts??


If I have a 80 watt stereo amp and I normally listen at quarter volume and never play at levels higher than this. Do I really need 80 watts could I use a 15 watt amp at half volume?

My next question if I have speakers that my mfg states needs min 50 watts to really make them sound good with my current amp rated at 80 watts but played at qtr volume does that mean I am not really getting the best from these speakers. If I play at half volume this is too loud, do I need a bigger room. Sorry if I did not explain clearly enough.


ecpninja

Showing 1 response by russbutton

The volume knob is just a gain attenuator in the preamp section of your amp and has NOTHING to do with understanding how much power your amp is actually putting out.   You can't think that it's 1/4 turned, so you're using 20 watts.    Your amp would have to have metering to show you how much power is being used, which is why many amps back in the 70s and 80s had them.

It sounds like you've already got a good match between the power in your amp, the demands of your loudspeakers and how loud you care to listen.  Relax.  You're already set.