"Thomas Andersson" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I need to select speakers (2 pairs), nothing fancy, but I'd like to put my
OLD Reciever to the best possible use. My Amp is a old Technics SA-200K
(35W
RMS/Channel 8 ohms, 2 separate stereo pairs) (speccs found at:
http://www.vintagetechnics.com/receivers.htm).
I'd like to learn suggested minimum and maximum wattage speakers to use
(gonna have two pairs) and what effect to low or high wattage speakers
might
have on the amp, on the sound and on the speakers.
Also, speaker cables, what gauge to get (millimeters please) and what
difference the different gauges have on things.

Wattage on speakers is not very significant - it simply tells you the
maximum power they will handle - there is no correlation between the wattage
of the speaker and hold loud they will sound with a given amplifier. You
need to make sure that the speakers are rated (continuous RMS) higher than
the output of the amp, and that is all you need.

The figure that tells you how loud a speaker will sound is the sensitivity -
usually given in dB/W. Typically this will be in the range 80-90 dB/W for
conventional speakers (though much higher figures are possible). 25W is
comparatively low by modern standards so you should be cautious about
anything less than mid 80's (say 85 plus). NB sensitivity is measured on a
log scale, so 82 isn't a little less than 85, it is half as sensitive.

However speaker matching is a complex business so I would recommend ensuring
that you have to opportunity to hear the speakers driven by your amp in your
system while you still have the chance to change your mind.

Gauge of speaker cable will not be an issue, it will only be carrying a
couple of amps so any cable rated over 2-3 amps will do fine, that equates
to about 0.5mm2. For longer runs you may benefit from thicker cable.