WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH WATTS?


I'm considering acquiring a new (for me) integrated, under $2k, to drive my KEF full range speakers. They are very efficient (93db) , 4ohm and rated for 50 - 200 watts.  It seems that a good amp with 80 or 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms will take these speakers to any volume I'd want to experience in my medium sized living room.  So what advantage/benefit in sound am I going to get with 150 -200 watts, or more, per channel? Is it worth spending more for extra power that will never really be demanded?  
larstusor

Showing 1 response by danvignau

I run 125 wpc on some 93 db B&W 803's and have to use another amp to drive subs. If you are going to have tone controls and plan to use a bit of bass boost, more power might help. otherwise, the actual difference between 80 and 125 watts is pretty moot, maybe a db in sound level. One db is defined as the actual threshold of change in volume we can hear.

Usually, I do not use my subs and probably wouldn't even need them in a normal house that is divided up more. My house is one relatively big room with two bedrooms on the side away from my speakers.

More important than the actual watts is how these watts work, i.e., how big is the power supply. If the power rating on the amp is at 1000 cps, for example, the power supply is probably too small. If the rating is full range, at least 20-20000 cps, it is what you want. 

I also have an Adcom 65 wpc amp that is heavy for what it is, meaning a big transformer.   For a $50 Craigslist amp, it did quite well pushing two pairs of very inefficient B&W DM 14/1400's, and it was loud enough; however, since these speakers mute the sound when an amp clips, the speakers did shut down much sooner than with the amp with twice the power, meaning it could have blown tweeters from clipping the signal, because of too little power.