2. speakers
  3. 1325385077

Efficient speakers with high powered ss amp?

Relative newbie here, so forgive me for the stupid question. I'm wondering if, in general, it's a mistake to mix 100 watt+ per channel amplifiers with efficient speakers. I know that low powered tube amps need efficient speakers, but do efficient speakers then necessarily perform better with less watts?

I'm looking for speakers that would be a good match for my Odyssey Khartago, and have always been under the impression that higher efficiency speakers are better than inefficient speakers. Would a 98db, 200 watt speaker be ok with the 110 watts per channel Khartago, or should I look for something less efficient.

Apologies, I tried using the search function to look this topic up, but didn't get any results, so I appreciate your thoughts and advice.
rischa
Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Yet another way to look at it is, if you have moderately efficient speakers, (93db or more)you then have the ability to use a broader range of amplifiers, from low-power SET, to high-power SS amps. I used to have a very fine pair of Dynaudio Contour 5.4's, and though they were rated at 90db, they loved lots of power to perform their best. I finally sold them, and went to the 93db speakers I'm currently using. I can drive them with as little as 10Wpc, or as much as you want to use with them.

For me, this is the way to go for more options regarding power. I like tubes now, better than any of the SS amps I have had. YMMV

Good Luck enjoy,
Dan
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
I have run 106db horns on 1000 watt SS gear it comes down to synergy sometimes it works well sometimes you may hear equipment noise. Or have a bit of hardness do to amplifier loudspeaker interactions but in general high power on hi eff is just fine.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
If you had lets say $1000 to spend on an amp, a ten watt $1000 amp would likely sound better than a $1000 hundred watt amp. Other than that it's really a matter of synergy.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,098 posts
 
In general you do not need a lot of watts with more efficient speakers.

I have not heard any high efficiency speakers that I could afford or even want to yet that equals the best I have heard in general. For me, the key is find the right speakers that meet your tastes and integrate well into your room and then get the right amp to drive them properly. I would not worry too much about efficiency as a prime determining factor. Even the least efficient speakers out there today can be driven well by newer high efficiency amp designs like Class D/Icepower. The results if done right can be on par with the best I have heard out there.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,756 posts
 
You might want to look at this link:

http://www.atma-sphere.com/Resources/Paradigms_in_Amplifier_Design.php

The issue of the intention of the designer will play a huge role in this matter. In fact, if the amplifier technology does not match what the speaker designer had in mind, the crossover will not even work right!
More to discover