"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 2 responses by swampwalker

Great analogy from Danmyers. Most important part of his post, IMO is this "vastly different design parameters required for flow/current and pressure/voltage. Which is better? Well, it obviously depends on what you want to do with the water" IOW, depends on your speakers. Read Atmasphere's posts and white paper. Amp choice highly dependent on whether your speakers are current optimized or voltage optimized. Which strongly suggested that at least a part of "system synergy" can be predicted.
Ns- you bet. I've been watching this thread for a few net sessions and quite honestly had meant to mention it as well. I was mostly referring to the analogy which for non-tech types of math-phobes (I'm not one, but many are) its easier to grasp the concept that way and then on to the math and tech detail. I know I'm right about at the edge of my tech expertise w impedance. I know its the equivalence of resistance and I understand its important in matching amp and speaker. I know (or at least I think I do) that most amps operate better into higher impedance loads and that lower impedance loads will require/draw more "wattage" from an amplifier. I do get confused with input impedance and output impedance and matching source/SUT/phono stage/pre-amp/amp with respect to those parameters. And I have an advanced degree in a science (not a math oriented one, admittedly). A analogies help me make the conceptual connections that allow me to go from trying to remember "rules of thumb" to actual understanding. Then I can make judgments for myself.