Public Enemy #1
In order to "meaningfully" audition speakers, clipping must be avoided.
The best insurance policy is to start with the biggest best amp possible for the initial audition, as an insurance policy against clipping.
Most smaller speakers that promise any kind of flat response below 50 hz or so will require amps capable of delivering 250 w/ch or more into 8 ohms (doubling to 500 w/ch into 4 ohms) for that "insurance policy".
More power is always better than less to establish an initial reference.
From there, you might find less power suitable in the end, but not until you have a performance reference that is best assured to not involve clipping.
Most tube amps and some SS amps "soft clip". SOft clipping has less offensive distortion characteristics than "hard clipping" but clipping is always a form of distortion and best to avoid altogether to the maximum extent possible, unless the best dynamics possible are not a concern.
In order to "meaningfully" audition speakers, clipping must be avoided.
The best insurance policy is to start with the biggest best amp possible for the initial audition, as an insurance policy against clipping.
Most smaller speakers that promise any kind of flat response below 50 hz or so will require amps capable of delivering 250 w/ch or more into 8 ohms (doubling to 500 w/ch into 4 ohms) for that "insurance policy".
More power is always better than less to establish an initial reference.
From there, you might find less power suitable in the end, but not until you have a performance reference that is best assured to not involve clipping.
Most tube amps and some SS amps "soft clip". SOft clipping has less offensive distortion characteristics than "hard clipping" but clipping is always a form of distortion and best to avoid altogether to the maximum extent possible, unless the best dynamics possible are not a concern.