Speaking of a question that demands the answer: It Depends. That is it. If I had a few days, I’d write a ten page answer to the question. It is incredibly multifaceted and complex. I topic best suited for an essay or book.
How many watts do you really need?
According to the president of D'Agostino, he and others make amps that are way more watts than any of us will ever need and almost none of them stay in class A very long.
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I'm no expert, but I know loudspeaker sensitivity ranges from at least 82 to 104 db. Depending where you are on that scale covers over a 100x power requirement. If you're using DSP, there's likely to be a significant boost in power required in the low bass. If you're using a subwoofer (or more) and high passing the main speakers, they'll need less. |
As already mentioned here: https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2918281 How to ascertain enough power is the big question we all want to know. The only indicator I know is a basic YES/NO clip indicator. The best way to get a more precise number is by using a graph, CPU and app/software that can capture and display the peaks in a meaningful way. Most amps/preamps haven't reached this level of technology yet.
https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/loudspeaker-sensitivity As a reality cross-check, common sense tells you a full range tower such as a B&W 802 is louder than the stated 2dB sensitivity over the bookshelf 805 (90db vs 88db sensitivity). This is why I believe the B&W ratings, and many others, are not full range. Many leave out bass because of complications from the room. Again as stated in post 2918281. |
Roger from Rogers High Fidelity who makes great pure Class A stuff made a point about how amps often sound best when driven close to in their optimum power. Not full power, just driven to the area where the entire amp is awake and poppin. I noticed this with tubed guitar amps as those got lower in power as I matured. Bass amps actually do like lots of power and I have a couple of those also.I now use (in my hifi rig) a small single ended tube amp (12 watts pc or so) swapped with a Pass XA-25 when the mood dictates. Efficient speakers, and I have no desire to go back to amps that barely use even a tiny amount of their juice. I use amps for concerts that actually do use their watts and those sound great. |
First, decide how loud you want your system to play (in dB) at the times when you really feel like rocking out (see below). Second, use one of the on-line system loudness calculators that allow you to input the appropriate information about your specific speakers, amp, and room. Calculate the output level in dB predicted for your own speakers, amp, and room, and compare that with the loudness you initially decided that you want your system to be capable of delivering. You can then use a SPL meter, or one of the apps like “Decibel X”, to compare whether the loudness level your system is actually delivering aligns with the level predicted by the on-line calculator, and to help you decide whether your system is delivering an output level that satisfies your listening tastes. The predicted loudness for my system is about 105-106 dB and I probably rarely exceed 100 dB. Involved listening for me is in the range of 75-85 dB with occasional higher peaks. Consider the following information when deciding on the output level you are looking for: Your Ideal Sound Level
Protecting Your Hearing Human ears are more sensitive to mid-range frequencies, and the louder the sound, the faster it can cause permanent damage to your hearing.
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