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Purpose of power handling in the specs?

So I’ve never quite understood this:  What is the point of manufacturers listing power handling in the specs?

I ask this because I’m now listening to a 89dB efficient speaker, rated to handle between 50-200 watts of power, with a 7 watt 300b integrated.  Logic would tell me that even with the volume maxed out I should get almost no volume from the speakers.

Can someone please enlighten me as to the purpose of the power handling specs?

Thanks.

 

128x128audiodwebe
erik_squires
16,121 posts
 

Hey,

Your logic isn’t very mathematically based! :)

Let’s start at the beginning. 89 dB means you get 89 dB with just 1 watt 1 meter away. 

At 7 Watts your gain is about 8.4 dB, or about 97 dB at 1 watt 1 meter away. That’s quite noticeable output. :)

You can use this calculator:

 

kenjit
1,771 posts
 

What nigel is trying to say is that there is a conspiracy going on within the speaker/amplifier industry which involves the requirement for DOUBLE the power just to get an extra 3db of level. Yet if you want double the power you dont pay double the money you pay exponentially more. Shocking isnt it. 

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 

They likely assume the worst case - no room reflections, no second speaker and at least 2m distance (-6dB).  That makes 83dB/1W at 2m.  50W will get you +17dB making it 100dB at 2m and that's what they likely target.  As for the higher spec of 200W it is maximum that speaker can take without damage.

In your situation you will likely get +3dB from the second speaker and +3dB from room reflections equal to 89dB/1W at 2m (2m cost you -6dB).  7W will get you +8.4dB resulting in 96.4dB/7W at 2m - not bad.

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