When reading all the comments referring to SPL measurements, keep in mind that SPL is referenced at 1m from the speaker, that you are 14 feet (just over 4 meters), and that SPL decreases -6bB for every doubling of distance. That means that at your listening position, your SPL is about 13 dB lower than at the 1m reading. BUT, a doubling in wattage only achieves a +3bB increase in volume. So, at your 14 foot listening distance, you will need almost 20 times the watts as needed at 1m. Also, the more watts your amp has, the more headroom, and that allows the amp to stay within the linear portion of it. ( Depending on design, an amp is only linear for maybe the first 50-75% of it's power rating. The closer you are to it's rating, the less linear it gets, and ideally, you want to stay in that linear range). Because of all of this, get as much wattage as you can afford, The more headroom you have, the better.
100 watts enough?
Hi all. I'm contemplating purchasing a CH Precision A1 and I don't know if it will drive my speakers adequately. I have EgglestonWorks Andra III speakers which are 88db efficient (impedance 8 ohms nominal, 6 ohms minimal). I have a 30x20ft room and I sit about 14ft from the speakers. I live in a condo and have almost nothing between me and my neighbor so I don't ever crank up the volume. I use a VAC Renaissance preamp that I almost never crank past 9 o'clock. The Andra III is a speaker that likes lots of power to open up. So what do you think?
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charles1dad7,812 posts07-03-2021 8:41pmFrom John Atkinson/Stereophile, "The EgglestonWorks Andra is moderately sensitive, my estimated 87dB/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sorry to disagree with John Atkinson @ Sterophile But I will 87db, ~~MODERATELY~~ sensitive?? The TRUTH is 87db = IN-Efficient IOW In/UN Effective. = Blood sucking speakers. Below 91db = INefficient/low sensitivity. = all xover box designs Inefficient. Lets be honest around here , would we please. |
If the listener considers 80db loud, then CH 100 watt amp should work. The listener should be able to achieve 98dB peaks at the listening position before the amp exceeds its rated power. The Egglestons are not a demanding load and the CH is a robust design. Based upon the information supplied by the OP, I would go with quality over quantity. |
@tarheelneil51, The listening distance (4 meters) factor was accounted for in kijanki’s calculations. See his post above. ’Based upon the information supplied by the OP, I would go with quality over quantity.’, Per @onhwy61. Yep, this is my point. A very (Perhaps ultra) high quality solid state amplifier driving speakers that for the most part have a speaker impedance of 10 ohm or above. Dip no lower than 4 ohm in the lower bass. This is not a challenging load for the very robust designed CH Precision A1 amplifier (Substantial power supply and capacitance reserve). Quality indeed. Charles |
Well, it certainly has a unique crossover and driver configuration. Based on the Stereophile measurements, the absolute minimum impedance is 4 Ohms around 20 Hz, and higher elsewhere. I would say a modest amplifier of 100 Watts should be plenty in a modest room, and that these speakers are good candidates for tube amps as well. https://www.stereophile.com/content/egglestonworks-andra-loudspeaker-measurements |
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