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Amplifier power versus maximum speaker input power

What are the ramifications of using an amplifier that exceeds the maximum input power handling rating of a speaker? I am thinking of getting a pair of Reference 3A Dulcets -- rated at a max of 100Watts RMS into 6ohms -- yet our Threshold S/500 II puts out 250Watts at 8ohms. I normally do not listen at more than 90db. Thank you for your input.
somut

Showing 1 response by kijanki

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,394 posts
 
Somut, RMS power delivered to speaker is very low (in order of few percent of peak power)*. Your speakers rated for 100W RMS should easily take many times higher peaks. Weak amplifier (without soft clipping) can easily damage tweeters because clipped (squared) signal contains a lot of high frequency energy (harmonics) normally not present in musical material.

*Half of the loudness is equal to 1/10 of the power, plus music has gaps. Peak power is more important than RMS power.
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