Amplifier power
 

"Mr.T" wrote:

"Ethan Winer" ethanw at ethanwiner dot com wrote

Unless you're going to be driving the amp into clipping at parties, it's
advisable to have a higher rated power amplifier than the (continuous
rating such as AES) of the speaker by a factor of easily 2 or maybe 3
times for home use.

Good point, you are correct. An amp with two to three times more power
than the speaker's continuous capability is a good choice.

Sure, but most speakers are not rated for continuous power handling,

That's the manufacturer's fault. There is an AES (Audio Engineering Society)
standard. It's almost universally used in the pro-audio and serious audio world.



rather some notional "music power" in many cases.

Which is totally meaningless and without definition.


(and that's often a better guide to the recommended amplifier power than the
speakers ability to handle it, even short term)

It's crap.


Frankly the actual amplifier power required is just as, if not more
dependant on speaker *efficiency* in any case.

Well that's very true and so few people know that.

Also, better manufacturers often suggest a range of compatible amplifier powers.
If this data (or AES) isn't present you're probably looking at 'low rent'
speakers you oughtn't to buy anyway.

Graham