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How to judge an amplifier's performance with a "powered-woofer" speaker?

Hello, I can't seem to find a definitive answer.  Nowadays,many speakers are made with a built-in woofer amplifier. Vandersteens, Martin-Logans , Von Schweikert,etc.
How will your amplifier affect the tonality or dynamics of this type of speaker?
What type of influence will your amp have on the bottom end? Will your million-watt amp be zeroed out by the speaker amp? 

Interestingly, I was reading a review of the Parasound JC1+ Mono's paired with Von Schweikert Audio VR-55 Aktives, and the reviewer raved about the powerful ,deep bass of the JC's. But wait! The speakers have a 525 watt amp driving the woofer!!! Does the 450 watt JC trump the 525 watt speaker amp??
If you are going to review an amplifier wouldn't you get a "truer" report by using traditional speakers?

====How does your amplifier and a powered speaker interact? Who does the heavy lifting?====

Thanks for your time.

michaelpaul


128x128mikepaul

Showing 1 response by avanti1960

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 
Turn a powered woofer into a positive by reducing the demand on and for an amplifier.  
For example you can power them with a smaller amplifier than with a typical passive woofer speaker.  
For example a tube integrated Primaluna amp driving a powered Goldenear Triton 1 powered tower speaker sounded excellent- tube soundstage and midrange bloom with the dynamics and bass impact of a robust solid state amp.  
You can get large room sound with a modestly powered decent quality amplifier.  No more 80 lb. behemouth amps required.  
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