enough amplifier power

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.

I primarily encourage higher efficiency speakers to allow trying tubes.

A bigger SS amp is primarily a function of money. Weight, size, reduced placement options: potential torn meniscus or herniated disk hazards.

Smaller tube amp saves money, less heat, smaller size gives more placement options. 

If you don't like horns, or have the space horns need, that limits your choices.

If you don't like ports, or passive radiators, also less choices.

Smaller spaces leads to smaller speakers, leads often to less efficiency, often 4 ohms.

The smaller mains benefit most by either bi-amping, or self-powered subs. Stripping low bass only to subs, amp and less efficient mains handling upper bass, mids and lows only