I tried to go back and study some of the math about maggies and power. These were pointed out by others; I am just trying to pass on their work and analysis correctly.
First thing I ran across was the way Magnepan spec's the efficiency. 86db/1m/2.83V. Evidently 2.83V into 4ohms is 2 watts and not the traditional ~db/1m/1w scale. At 1m/2w efficiency works out to 83db.
If you listen to music at a level that produces 83db peaks (fairly restrained, but still dynamic) and sit 3 meters away it flows like this.
2w/1m = 83db with one speaker
Second speaker adds 3db for 2w/1m = 86db
Subtract 3db for each additional meter away from the speakers 2w/3m = 80db
Each additional 3db doubles power required - to add 3db 4w/3m = 83db
Figure the peaks @ 83db are 6db above the average spl = 1w/3m/76db
This ignores room loading, absorption, and the fact that the 2w/1m/83db is with a test tone, but on the surface, the amount of power needed doesnt seem that great for modest listening levels.
If you listen at a level that produces 95db peaks it would go something like this
2w/1m = 83db with one speaker
Second speaker adds 3db for 2w/1m = 86db
Subtract 3db for each additional meter away from the speakers 2w/3m = 80db
Double power for each additional 3db;
4w/3m = 83db,
8w/3m = 86db,
16w/3m = 89db,
32w/3m = 92db,
64w/3m = 95db
64w. Still not a lot of power for what, to me, is a fairly loud 95db peak.
It doesnt match my (admittedly limited) experience, so I am fairly assured that I have stated something incorrectly or there is another important factor that is missing.
You wont hurt my feelings by pointing out the flaws in the above but I do find the result interesting if it holds true
Jim S.
First thing I ran across was the way Magnepan spec's the efficiency. 86db/1m/2.83V. Evidently 2.83V into 4ohms is 2 watts and not the traditional ~db/1m/1w scale. At 1m/2w efficiency works out to 83db.
If you listen to music at a level that produces 83db peaks (fairly restrained, but still dynamic) and sit 3 meters away it flows like this.
2w/1m = 83db with one speaker
Second speaker adds 3db for 2w/1m = 86db
Subtract 3db for each additional meter away from the speakers 2w/3m = 80db
Each additional 3db doubles power required - to add 3db 4w/3m = 83db
Figure the peaks @ 83db are 6db above the average spl = 1w/3m/76db
This ignores room loading, absorption, and the fact that the 2w/1m/83db is with a test tone, but on the surface, the amount of power needed doesnt seem that great for modest listening levels.
If you listen at a level that produces 95db peaks it would go something like this
2w/1m = 83db with one speaker
Second speaker adds 3db for 2w/1m = 86db
Subtract 3db for each additional meter away from the speakers 2w/3m = 80db
Double power for each additional 3db;
4w/3m = 83db,
8w/3m = 86db,
16w/3m = 89db,
32w/3m = 92db,
64w/3m = 95db
64w. Still not a lot of power for what, to me, is a fairly loud 95db peak.
It doesnt match my (admittedly limited) experience, so I am fairly assured that I have stated something incorrectly or there is another important factor that is missing.
You wont hurt my feelings by pointing out the flaws in the above but I do find the result interesting if it holds true
Jim S.