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What actually determines volume power? Is it watts?

I have a Yamaha AS-3200 amp. It sounds beautiful and has a really good open sound. The problem is I like my music loud since I live alone and typically I have the volume 70% and with some recordings it is not high enough. I need a amp that has more power/volume.

The AS-3200 is 200 watts at 8 ohms. I see many amps, even much more expensive ones (like the Yamaha M-5000), are also at around 200 watts per a channel at 8 ohms. I am going by 8 ohms for my speakers and also the worse case scenarios. Does this mean if I had a more expensive class AB amp like the M-5000 I would still be listening at 70% volume and getting the same power/loudness? If not, then what actually determines the volume power if not watts?

dman777

Showing 1 response by mswale

mswale
189 posts
 

We need to define a couple of things. 

What is your top listing SPL?

What are your speakers, what is the sensitivity, power handling?

Music source? 

Think you might need a whole new system to keep you happy. My amp is 200w high current, but I have 100db sensitivity on my speakers, they say they top out at 116db, On my setup, you cannot be in the room at 70% volume. It's uncomfortable. Most of my listening is around 1w of power, but at my listening spot is 70ish DB. 

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