Almost every case of speaker damage is from too little power from the amp. While it would appear that if the speaker would take 100 watts and the amp was rated at 15 you would be safe, this is not the case. If you overdrive the amp you will drive it into clipping, which will eventually destroy the speaker. The rating is for continuous input, not music. I use speakers rated at, I think, 50 watts and use 300 watt amps often. In a recent test in HIFI News they found that a 500 watt amp worked well with a pair of bookshelf speakers rated at a fraction of that. The truth is these figures more or less meaningless. You can damage your speakers with an amp that is too large, too small or just right if you misuse it, with a little discretion you will be fine. As a classical listener your ears will give up far before the speaker is likely to. The important number is the maximum output of the speaker, if that number is higher than the level you listen at you will be fine.
Amp output versus Speaker imput
If I have an amplifier that is rated at 350 watts output - which I want to keep, does that limit me to speakers that have a recommended amplification of over 350 watts?
I'm in the market for new speakers and there are some I fancy but have a lower recommended amplification that what my amplifier is rated at. Do I discard these speakers or could I play them on my system but not turn up the volume too much. Or given the size of the room concentrate on high amplification speakers. I am budgeting about $16,000 to $20,000 for them.
My listening room is 31' by 10' for 14' then widens out to 15' for the remaining 17'. The speakers are placed in the narrow end of the room. I listen mainly to classical music.
Are there any recommendations that anyone might have on what speakers might be compatible?
Would truly appreciate anyone's input.
Thanks in advance
I'm in the market for new speakers and there are some I fancy but have a lower recommended amplification that what my amplifier is rated at. Do I discard these speakers or could I play them on my system but not turn up the volume too much. Or given the size of the room concentrate on high amplification speakers. I am budgeting about $16,000 to $20,000 for them.
My listening room is 31' by 10' for 14' then widens out to 15' for the remaining 17'. The speakers are placed in the narrow end of the room. I listen mainly to classical music.
Are there any recommendations that anyone might have on what speakers might be compatible?
Would truly appreciate anyone's input.
Thanks in advance
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- 7 posts total
- 7 posts total