The first watts

You are on the right track. Normally and amplifier will be called A/AB, where it will operate in Class A up to about 5-15 wpc then slide into Class AB. The Class A watts will be the first watts used, so they will go first. Power works on a logarithmic scale, meaning that 100 wpc will sound twice as loud as 10 wpc (+3dB).

So if you have inefficient speakers, that are soaking up 100-200+ watts, you will basically be listening in Class AB. Now with average speakers, at normal levels, you may be listening in Class A, and never switch over to AB. Very few amps operate in pure Class A up to 200 wpc, and they are very expensive.

11-21-14: Jmcgrogan2
Power works on a logarithmic scale, meaning that 100 wpc will sound twice as loud as 10 wpc (+3dB).

Whoops, that should read +10 dB. 10 times the power gives you twice the volume, or +10 dB. Sorry about that confusion.

So 10 watts is twice as loud as 1 watt. So your speakers, rated at 87 dB @ 1 watt, should be able to get up to 97 dB in an amp that switches over to Class AB at 10 wpc. Probably most of your listening would be in Class A, unless you are a headbanger.