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Recommended amplification

I still don't get it.

I'm listening to a pair of Vandersteen 3A Signatures with a recommended amplification of 100-200 watts in a small, 13x14 listening room with a 10 watt Class A amp (SMSL VMV A1) and they sound just fine.  Plays as loud as I'd ever listen to with ease, has control of the bass, soundstages well and generally sounds pretty fantastic.

I guess maybe dynamics but the music I listen to doens't go from pppp to fffff very often, if ever at all.  I've found this to be the case with all of my speakers, regardless of their recommended amplification levels.  I'm probably only using a watt or two, if at that, for most of my music listening.  

So why do speaker manufacturers even list the recommended amplification numbers, does anyone know?

Thanks in advance.

128x128audiodwebe
bjesien
1,306 posts
 

Dynamics, size of stage and image can be sacrificed. It can be hard to know unless you try higher power.

Simple example I had a pair of Harbeth's with a 12 watt tube amp. Sounded great but really came alive with 80 watts or more. Missed that tube sound so it was either go big with tubes or stay with 12 wpc or be satisfied with the SS amp. Lots of options.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,514 posts
 

It just gives you an idea about how much power you might need. I'm with you though, I don't have much need for high power amps even though I'm sacrificing some bass control and loudness.

ghdprentice
7,009 posts
 

@bjesien

+1

My history was to use larger, higher current & power amps and to be rewarded with greater dynamics and soundstage each time. There are two aspects. Quality and quantity of the amplification. I always moved up in both… and it was always cost effective for me. 
 

Tubed amplification is very different in virtually all respects. The base requirements and slope of the line on parameters. 

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