This is a guide to the basics of power requirements. Remember that this is a simplistic guide, and is intended for beginners to get started. Technicalities can be debated, discussed and dissected, but that isn't the intention of this guide, nor is the place.
Damage to Speakers:
To enable a speaker to produce sound, it requires power measured in watts. The amount of power needed by the speaker is influenced by its impedance. In general, speakers with lower impedance require more watts for a given voltage. In essence, for the amplifier to effectively drive the speaker and make it produce sound, it must supply enough watts to meet the power requirements.
If the power demanded by the speaker exceeds the maximum power output of the amplifier, several issues can arise. The amplifier may clip, which means it fails to accurately reproduce the input signal and instead produces distorted, harsh overtones.
The excessive power delivered during clipping can cause the speaker components to experience mechanical stress and heat buildup, which can lead to driver failure or reduced lifespan, especially in a tweeter. Clipping, in most cases, cannot be heard, hence there won't be a warning before your speakers are already damaged and go silent!
Damage to Amplifier
Impedance plays a crucial role in the interaction between an amplifier and a speaker. While amplifiers are typically designed to handle specific impedance ranges (such as 4 or 8 Ohms), connecting a speaker with a significantly lower impedance, such as 1 or 2 Ohms, can lead to problems.
It's crucial to match the impedance specifications of the speaker and amplifier to ensure proper compatibility and prevent potential damage.
On the other hand, if the amplifier has sufficient power to meet the demands of the speaker, it operates within its intended range, ensuring clean and undistorted sound reproduction.
Typical Scenario:
Question: I do not play loud, I do not need so much power.
Answer: Do not underestimate what "loud enough" is. You might be in a scenario where you want to crank up the volume, unknowingly.
When a 50W amplifier is connected to a 200W-rated and inefficient speaker, the power demand can quickly exceed the capabilities of the amplifier when playing at loud volumes (especially because of peaks in high dynamic content). As a result, the amplifier may clip. And you've quickly learnt what clipping can do from what you've read above!
Summary:
In summary, Underpowered amps aren't the best choice! Have enough headroom!
Conclusion:
Suggestion:
Read this article from Crown, thoroughly and then use the calculator to derive your power requirements.
https://www.crownaudio.com/how-much...arly, the peaks require far,enter 10 to 15 dB
Power Calculator.
https://support.biamp.com/Design_Tools/Amplifier_Power_Calculator
Damage to Speakers:
To enable a speaker to produce sound, it requires power measured in watts. The amount of power needed by the speaker is influenced by its impedance. In general, speakers with lower impedance require more watts for a given voltage. In essence, for the amplifier to effectively drive the speaker and make it produce sound, it must supply enough watts to meet the power requirements.
If the power demanded by the speaker exceeds the maximum power output of the amplifier, several issues can arise. The amplifier may clip, which means it fails to accurately reproduce the input signal and instead produces distorted, harsh overtones.
The excessive power delivered during clipping can cause the speaker components to experience mechanical stress and heat buildup, which can lead to driver failure or reduced lifespan, especially in a tweeter. Clipping, in most cases, cannot be heard, hence there won't be a warning before your speakers are already damaged and go silent!
Damage to Amplifier
Impedance plays a crucial role in the interaction between an amplifier and a speaker. While amplifiers are typically designed to handle specific impedance ranges (such as 4 or 8 Ohms), connecting a speaker with a significantly lower impedance, such as 1 or 2 Ohms, can lead to problems.
It's crucial to match the impedance specifications of the speaker and amplifier to ensure proper compatibility and prevent potential damage.
On the other hand, if the amplifier has sufficient power to meet the demands of the speaker, it operates within its intended range, ensuring clean and undistorted sound reproduction.
Typical Scenario:
Question: I do not play loud, I do not need so much power.
Answer: Do not underestimate what "loud enough" is. You might be in a scenario where you want to crank up the volume, unknowingly.
When a 50W amplifier is connected to a 200W-rated and inefficient speaker, the power demand can quickly exceed the capabilities of the amplifier when playing at loud volumes (especially because of peaks in high dynamic content). As a result, the amplifier may clip. And you've quickly learnt what clipping can do from what you've read above!
Summary:
In summary, Underpowered amps aren't the best choice! Have enough headroom!
- A higher power amp at the same decibel level will keep the voice coil cooler for longer.
- With an underpowered amp, you do not know if you're harming your speakers when you're driving the volume up, until it's too late.
- With a larger amp as you turn the volume up the speaker will distort (beyond the speakers' ability) and you can then turn the volume down before permanent damage sets in. This is a better indicator to know the power limits.
Conclusion:
- Check the rated power of the speaker.
- Use a decibel phone app to determine the ballpark continuous decibel requirement at the listening position.
- Use the power calculator to determine your power requirements.
- Determine the headroom required for peak signals. Don't go below 15db. While 20 to 25 is ideal for highly dynamic music.
- Buy an amp with slightly more power than the peak power requirement.
Suggestion:
- For fun, see how big a difference high-sensitivity speakers make in power drawing!
- Always buy higher-sensitivity speakers; then again, don't trust the sensitivity ratings published by any brands, especially Klipsch!
- Always read independent test results (for example, Erin's Audio Corner) to know the correct speaker parameters, because most brands lie!
Read this article from Crown, thoroughly and then use the calculator to derive your power requirements.
https://www.crownaudio.com/how-much...arly, the peaks require far,enter 10 to 15 dB
Power Calculator.
https://support.biamp.com/Design_Tools/Amplifier_Power_Calculator