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Speaker power rating and amplification???

Stage one: I own a pair of B&W DM604 S2's that have a power rating on the rear of the speaker listed at 150W. Stage two: I have an Acurus A150 2 CH amp that has a power rating of 150W per CH. Question: Is this too much power for the speakers? What considerations need be addressed here. I also have an Acurus A80 with a rating of 80W per CH if the A150 is too much power. Any suggestions on how to correctly match power to speakers and are there any rules of thumb to be followed here? I don't want to do any damage to the speakers with too much power.

Thanks for your time and advice.
nissancrazy
hodu
316 posts
 
Too much power isn't really ever going to be a problem. Too little power used injudiciously may be. That's the rule of thumb that I learned many years ago, and I still think that it makes good sense. I've run many a setup with amps powered way above the "suggested" speaker rating with no problem whatsoever. Unless you turn the thing up to 11, fret not.
nissancrazy OP
30 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. The speakers in question are rated at: 90db, which I am assuming from the above comments means that either amp will do a good job driving the speakers? I plan on attempting to utilize both before making a decision on which to use. Strange finding, the owners manual states Power handling: 25-200W continuous into 8ohm while the back of the speaker shows 150W max. amp power?
montytx
138 posts
 
Low powered amplifiers driven to clipping are more likely to damage a speaker than too much power. Distortion is what takes out most drivers unless there is a severe mismatch in terms of power sent to the speaker. In your case, either will work just fine.
rlips
105 posts
 
Careful use of the volume control will ensure that you don't damage the speaker. At a reasonable volume, you will be operating either amplifier within it's linear range, ie, you will not clip. Accordingly, you will not damage the speakers. All other things being EXACTLY equal (and they never are;), you would probably be hard pressed to tell the difference between the 150W amp and the 80W amp. At 90dB, you are in good shape with either, enjoy.

Ron
athipaul
40 posts
 
If a car has a top speed of 150Mph its going to an effortless trot when driving at 60Mph. I do believe you will be able to tell the difference between the two amps and would prefer the 150W one.
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