How many watts do you really need?

I think of headroom as an amp that simply loafs along meaning the amp operating at their best sonic level and not strained often leading to increased distortion.

As always, match the amp to the speakers for best sonic performance results.

@kennyc 

"I think of headroom as an amp that simply loafs along meaning the amp operating at their best sonic level and not strained often leading to increased distortion.

As always, match the amp to the speakers for best sonic performance results."

Say you choose a speaker rated at 86 dB at 1 watt, one meter (86 dB being quite loud already) and consider there will be a slight loss from the front of the speaker to your listening position and then room gain (boundary effects) will compensate for some of that loss. Also, the bulk of the program from any given source will only require microwatts to produce a comfortable listening level and 1 watt will be quite loud for most peaks, then any power required to hit levels above 86 dB will be headroom.

10. 

As mentioned earlier, depends on the listener. I had a class set amp with 8 watts pushing 92db speakers. Sounded great but I felt it lacked ooomph when playing certain genres of music. I then picked up a class ab 20 watt amp pushing 98db speakers, fantastic. Amp “pushes” music powerfully through the speakers with all genres. For me, way more enjoyable. 

Hey I'm from the 100 wpc or it sucks days...but my tube amp...25 works. Four me anyway.