How much power is to much power?

I'd love a pair of Pass X1000's(1000W), but they're too powerfull for my Merlins(250w).

>>'too much power'. It all happens when your amp is so powerfull over your speakers that the sound is 'choked' and the speakers can't breathe.<<

That folks, is really funny.

Stay away from this guy.

DF is limited at low frequencies by the choke in series with the woofer (0.08 Ohm typ.) to about 100 and by speaker wire inductance (0.5uH/ft typ) to about 10. It doesn't make much difference between DF=1000 or DF=4000.
Amp's DF at high frequncies is probably less important. Atmasphere, transformerless tube amp has DF=1.5 and the sound is exceptional (so I heard).

I would stay away from high DF amp (other than class D). High DF requires deep negative feedback - source of TIM and "transistor" sound.

Average power is only few percent of peak power. Only about 5% of this power goes to tweeter. It is rather difficult to destroy tweeter inspite of its small size. Tweeter gets damaged if you play test tones too loud, when your amp is saturating (flattened peaks=square wave=energy in high frequencies) or when your amp (or source) is oscillating at high frequency. The most common is damage caused by saturation when amp has not enough power. The best solution for that is to get amp higher rated than speakers or the amp with so called "soft clipping". Then you will loose woofer, midrange and the tweeter at the same time (just kidding).

Magfan - I've never had Maggies (space issue) but your efficiency doesn't look so bad. What is specified (SPL) at 1m is different at 5m. Typical speaker (point source) drops 6db when distance is doubled, but maggies are not the point source and drop is probably less than 6dB.

As for incredibly high power needed (according to article)at point of speakers impedance drop it is not so bad. The most of power demand in music comes at low frequncies (just look at the size of the woofer)and impedance drop is probably around 200Hz (most likely higher) - only fraction of peak power.

Audiofeil, seems you're still a rookie or you just didn't understand what I said. Either way, you still have a lot to learn! My point is very clear since speakers differ in size, internal volume, number of drivers etc..

FAS, would you drive a single-driver Lowther with an amp like a Krell FPB600 and claim that it's not 'too much power' for that speaker??

I think folks should stay away from you !!

Best Regards,

AG

Thanks AG but I think the readers know who the rookie is in this thread.

Hah!!! Very funny exchange guys. That was very entertaining for me.

Audiofeil, I can see what some of the readers here think of you...you just keep digging more holes for yourself.

Over'n'Out.

LOL, Destep. It sure does remain an amusing exchange, especially if you like to see Pit Bulls in the ring. These guys are made for each other, I think. Substance v form! And the winner is? :-)

Audiograils, Audiofool does not care what others think of him and his posts. He is the authority and knows all. It is best to just ignore him, but I must say that I find it difficult to follow my own advice.

Some funny posts here! I don't understand how an amp can have too much power, when you can control it!! I find a more powerful amp is like comparing a Porsche to a family sedan. They will both get you to 60mph, but the Porsche will do it more efficiently with a lot less effort. Certainly, you shouldn't push the amp beyond the capacity of the speakers, but more power is a good thing, in the right hands!

"When is an amp overkill for a speaker?"

I guess the simple answer is: when it overdrives or fries the speakers.

Practically, however, in most cases fried speakers are a result of not enough power resulting in clipping. And, if the speaker is being over driven at a volume you like, then get another pair of speakers.

Good analogy Cyclonicman. It's very informative to go out back at many Porsche dealers to see the latest rolled up in a ball because some idiot thought it'd go around any curve at any speed. MOST drivers are not qualified to drive a Porsche at speed.

Maybe most audiophiles don't have sufficient sensitivity to set the volume control properly. Frying speakers is shouldn't happen if amps are used with care and levels are set at musical levels.

Dave