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Why do people say low power amps should be good for bookshelf speakers?

I was in a BB Magnolia recently and they had a McIntosh MHA150 integrated headphone amp that can also do 50 watts per channel to speakers. The sales rep said it "should be good for small bookshelves but its not enough power for towers". 
I've never understood this line of reasoning.  Towers are typically more sensitive than bookshelves. Is there an actual reason a small amp like this couldn't do just fine for towers that are equally or more sensitive than similar bookshelves?
roberthz

Showing 1 response by pedroeb

pedroeb
493 posts
 
The only reason might be to eliminate over exuberant use of volume, which could damage speakers, so there can be no come back on the retailer.

Maximum power is often quoted when THD+N reaches 1%. In my mind that's a dreadful figure.

Therefore maximum power is probably best considered at half the advertised figure. Just don't screw the volume up to full.
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