I guess that for my room in my NYC apartment listening to the music I listen to (small jazz quartet/quintet) the 50 watt amp does it for me. I have other amps up to 200 watts per channel from other manufacturers that I can use if the mood strikes. I just wanted to ask to see what has changed in peoples perception of sound that keeps the power output on some amps going up. Vandersteens aren't the most efficient speakers out but they don't present to many problems for most amps. I know listening to volumes greater than 85 db for long periods of time isn't great for your hearing. I listen at volumes that require a couple of watts and the transients require maybe 20 watts for short bursts and that can be covered by my 50 watt amp, no?
Why has amplifier power become a big issue
Back in the day I drove my Advent speakers that were very inefficient with 30 watts per channel. Today I run Vandersteen 2 ce speakers which are more efficient then the old Advents with 50 watts per channel and way more current. By most this is underpowering the Vandersteens, what has changed?