"Watts" Versus "Current"


Can someone discuss, in layman's terms, the differences here? I've seen some high wattage amps that do not produce much peak current and some low wattage amps that produce a lot of current. Which stat is more important--watts or current--in terms of deciding on a match with speakers? If current is more significant why to we (and manufacturers) talk mostly in watts?
dodgealum

Showing 1 response by bifwynne

Thamnosma and other contributors, great job. I've started a new OP which takes this OP to the next level. Specifically, is there any way to meaningfully and intelligently match an amp, be it tube or SS, to Speaker X. And I'm not even touching electrostats, maggies or horns -- just plain old dynamic cone jobs.

Various reviews of my Paradigm Sig 8 v2 speakers contain performance graphs re impedance and phase angle that look like a roller coaster even though the speakers are "nominally" rated at 8 ohms. I drive the S8s with an ARC VS-115 120wpc tube amp. Could be just blissful ignorance, early stage deafness, or whatever, but the rig sounds pretty good to me. Plenty of bass slam, with a little help from a sub woofer, and extended sweet highs.

Would the S8s sound better with a high current SS amp, or a different model tube amp?? Haven't a clue.

So, is there a Guide for the Perplexed (pun intended) in audiophile-land regarding amp and speaker matching?

P.S. The Guide for the Perplexed was written by a very famous Rabbi about 1000 years ago. Nothing in the Guide about amp and speaker matching. I checked.