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
You know who is bashing some of the best sounding speakers on the planet to go with some of the cheapest sounding speakers while indicating that there is no difference in SQ between them. Far far from reality. Unless you are talking about the old large klipsch speakers, I can’t listen to any other klipsch for more than a few minutes. Same goes for tektons. There are so many excellent speakers out there that cost $1000 or more that are much better than these 2 brands, but with better speakers, you will need better equipment to get them to sound their best, wether the amp needed is a SET amp or a 1200 watt monoblock 
There was a thread a while back that went something like this,
"if you were starting over, what would you do differently"
If given a do-over, the one thing I would do differently would be to start with more efficient speakers that were an easier load to drive.  That would have opened my world up to many more good amplifier possibilities at more affordable prices.  Having said that, I did find speakers I like but they are a fairly tough load and need lots of power to really sing.  Several Class A amps couldn't quite cut it and I finally found what I needed with a pair of 650 wpc monoblocks.  Having that big power does make a difference when you feel like cranking it up for that closer to real experience, but also at moderate listening levels, IMO.
Want to use low powered amps?

Efficient Speakers

and/or

Self powered subs for the power hungry bass, then you can use a much less powerful amp for your mains, both amp and speakers benefit from this. Recently, I came across an amp company that specifically stated that bass is 65% of the load.

SUBS, two, non-ported, front firing, located near mains to maintain stereo imaging, via both the primary frequency and overtones.

One sub can achieve the same advantage, I use only one self-powered sub in my office, very nice bass extension to small bookshelf speakers, think of it as ’Bose’ bass, i.e. Bass everywhere.

or: Bi-Amp,

If your full range speakers allow it. Delicate low powered amp, (much easier to try tubes) for mids and highs; Monster, probably SS for bass.
If you work out the math, most loudspeakers need 200-500 watts minimum.

Um, what math exactly are you using?  I get along fine with half that using conventional 2-ways with a 3.7 Ohm minimum impedance.  Most of the time I barely use 10 watts.
Agree with Chuck 100% on owning efficient speakers as the way to go. Quality big wattage costs big dollars too.