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Speakers Nominal Power handling/Amplifier

My Canton k9  bookshelf speakers have a nominal power handling of 120/200 watts,  SPL of 87db my Technic integrated amp SU-G700 has 70 watts into 8 ohms,140 into 4 ohms.  As an aside, my source is a Marantzcd6006  CD player.
What does Nominal power mean for me in terms of music reproduction in my system? Specifically Will the speakers perform to there potential with my 70 watt amp? I read that nominal power relates to the power your amp should have to drive these speakers. So what am I missing with only 70 watts per channel besides playing louder? what would an amp with 120 to 200 watts give  the speakers that would improve the music? Am I placing my speakers at risk using less power then what the speakers can handle?
I'm a rookie with zip, zero, nada, listening experience to fall back on that is at all relevant so take this with a grain of salt I freakin love the sound detailed(decay of strings and brushes on symbols, fingers plucking guitar strings etc) soundstage( speakers vanish instruments are here there everywhere but not outside of speaker footprint and not real deep front to back )imaging ( instruments have there own place voices are in the center) not harsh or bright but detailed not warm sounding. How much better could it get with a more powerful amp? I can only imagine what a high-end system must sound like!
An observation no audio stores are within 50 miles, unless I count BestBuy so I sadly I must rely on reviews for the most part and what I read here. Regards Scott
scott22
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
with occasional spikes to 0db/100%

You’re correct to monitor these spikes in power output. But the fact is that peaks and transients in music are probably going higher than the meters can indicate. Even with a sub you may not be able to push this amp. If the amp is a keeper, then a sub or a sub array is the way to go.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
I see that your amp has line out and one preamp output. Using an active powered sub (or two) relieves the amp from using all it's current to power the bass. The subs have internal amps that supplement the main amp.

djones51
4,947 posts
 
What subwoofer? Connecting the speaker cables to the sub you are connecting to the high level input it might have a high pass filter. 
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Preamp out to subwoofer. HPF and LPF would depend on the individual subwoofer, no?

Adding subwoofers is a work-a-round for the OP since he is married to this amp and speakers. 


scott22 OP
263 posts
 
The integrated amp has a   "pre out right and left"   it say in it's manual for hooking up a subwoofer however it does not mention the word high pass filter. 
 The Jamo c80 is a powered sub and has 1800 watts. It has the word  "Line"   and beneath the word "Line", it has  four  for lack of a better word interconnect attachments (you know a gold outside cover, white plastic interior and a hole in the center)one is marked  "Left/LFE"  next to it is a similar input marked "Right In". Directly below those two are two similar looking outputs marked "Left" and "Right Out".
  • So can my integrated amp and the sub be connected in a way to relieve the Cantons of their bass responsibilities? 
  • If I can what should I ask for to connect the two channels?
  • I know I'm sounding like a 74 yr old grade schooler but hey you got to start someplace.
Thanks for you help.

 
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