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Amplifier power versus maximum speaker input power

What are the ramifications of using an amplifier that exceeds the maximum input power handling rating of a speaker? I am thinking of getting a pair of Reference 3A Dulcets -- rated at a max of 100Watts RMS into 6ohms -- yet our Threshold S/500 II puts out 250Watts at 8ohms. I normally do not listen at more than 90db. Thank you for your input.
somut
Post removed 
ahendler
416 posts
 
There are no negative ramifications. The problems are caused by to little power, not to much
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,442 posts
 
Somut, RMS power delivered to speaker is very low (in order of few percent of peak power)*. Your speakers rated for 100W RMS should easily take many times higher peaks. Weak amplifier (without soft clipping) can easily damage tweeters because clipped (squared) signal contains a lot of high frequency energy (harmonics) normally not present in musical material.

*Half of the loudness is equal to 1/10 of the power, plus music has gaps. Peak power is more important than RMS power.
markpao
524 posts
 
The drawback I had with high power amplifiers driving efficient speakers is that I couldn't bring my volume control much past 9:00 on the dial. This is not a good idea since most pre amps sound better if more of the volume dial is used.
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