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Using A Lower Wattage Amp For Mains With A Powered Subwoofer

Wise members,

Looking at buying some Ohm Walsh floor standing speakers.  Read many reviews stating that they need much power, the more the better - even beyond what they are rated.  If I get their new Beta line with 500 watt powered internal subwoofers, I was told that less amp power is needed.  Why does a powered subwoofer reduce the needed amp power?  Is his because most of the speaker driver motion is for the low frequencies and they are what consumes the power?  Trying to understand the physics behind this and also if the advice that I have received is correct.

Also, what wattage Amp should I target?  Looking at the Ohm Acoustic's F-5015s.

Thanks in advance
michiganbuckeye

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,766 posts
 
It means that at the very least, the amp will see a high load (100 Ohms or more) where the subwoofer frequencies are. This can help low current amps perform better.


If there is a high pass filter, it will also reduce the voltage swing the amp has to produce, greatly increasing dynamic range. 

Apparently there's no manual posted it yet, so I can't tell you which they are relying on.
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