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Why do you need so much power?

I have a basic question.  I have a set of Tannoys with 93dB sensitivity. I’m told that a 25 Wpc amp like the First Watt J2 can power it just fine. (I don’t crank it to 11.). Someone also suggested an Emotiva amp with 500W RMS. 

So my question. Assuming you have a good set of speakers that are efficient (>90) and you don’t crank it till it’s clipping, then do you ever need such power as the Emotiva?  Thanks!
ssmaudio

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
No, for modest listening rooms with average efficiency speakers (90 dB or more) even 100 Watts seems overkill.

What will cause you a problem is speakers that dip to ~ 3 Ohms or lower, especially in the midbass, but sometimes in the treble (ESLs). 

It is very hard to find an amp ~ 100 W with great current drive.
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