enough amplifier power


I am curious as to why so many people think that their amplifiers are powerful enough for their speakers. I use a Yamamoto A-08S--around 1.5 watts output. I use it with a Fostex F-106ESR. The combination is a little ragged at low volumes, but beautifully immediate. Distorts awfully at anything approaching a decent volume. I see people using 20-100 watt amplifiers with medium efficiency loudspeakers. I do not see how this can work any better. If you work out the math, most loudspeakers need 200-500 watts minimum. That is not even taking into account low impedance loudspeakers. Do people not know what distortion sounds like? Or, compression either, for that matter? Please enlighten me.
hedwigstheme
Hard to tell which way you really are going with this so I will just say your example supports what I keep repeating, the most important thing is speaker sensitivity. Your flea watt amp probably sounds absolutely captivating. That is the calling card of OTL. But low power absolutely calls for high sensitivity speakers. 

Most people, if they would simply do as I recommend and avoid anything under 92dB will then be able to enjoy great sound from a wide selection of amps with anywhere from 20 watts on up. If they go to 98dB then even a flea watt amp like yours will still deliver a clean 101dB on peaks, and still be as you say beautifully immediate.  

I think you are right about people not noticing. So many speakers out there are 88dB, which is freaking ridiculous, these do need hundreds of watts. No wonder these same people are always opining on the importance of finding the right amp to match. They could use yours and be happy but they would have to ditch their Wilsons and Magicos for tenth the price Tekton and Klipsch, something few who have drank that Cool-Aide are likely ever to do.
It depends what you are trying to do. Play chamber music late at night or trying to make the neighbors move? I ran a 350 wpc amp for over 2 decades, Just sold my 400 wpc amp, and I still have a good 200 wpc amp on hand but most of my systems now are 25 or 35 wpc. It's more than enough for me. 
We never get sick of this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg14jNbBb-8


 That is why Klipsch put a bad taste in my molars and ears.
   Aren’t they like 103 or 104 db@1w - 1m?

 Hooked up to early 90’s Adcom monoblocs. They were just, all treble and no bass. Hurt my ears.
  I mentioned this before, hooked up other amps over the next 3-4 weeks.  All the other amps sounded better, through the Klipschorns. 
  I can see where a 75 W amp can be enough for such high spl speakers.  BUT.....if you want to crank it up with Motörhead, or suffocation, Y&T, Saxon, Forbidden, Kreator etc etc. most metal and hard rock is so compressed on some CDs, it distorts fast.  Where an LP does not. 
I totally get it. I will never have less than 250W amps. That’s just me.
been there and learned my lesson. Who knows, when I hit 70, maybe I will get a 7 W set amp for a pair of QSC stage monitors. 
 Plus, it’s bragging rights.  You don’t hear “dude, come over and see my new 3W mono beast amps.  (a joke for those easily butthurt these days). :)

 my lowest power amps now are the Odyssey kismet monos with about 350-370W into 3.5 - 4 Ohms. 200W into 8 Ohms.  They do put out some watts, they seem to have more power than they are rated for. 
 Cheers!

POWER!!!!!!!”
  
My Vandersteens are 87db efficient and work great with 120 wpc .. I generally don't listen much above 90db SPLs.. Probably a Pass Labs Int-60 (which is rated conservatively) would be more than enough for the Vandies.
I wouldn't mind having speakers that are 93-96db, and then I could run the Linear Tube Audio integrated amp (20W) that I covet. I don't lose sleep over it, as I like my current speakers.