• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Just getting started. speaker size, wattage, room size

ScottFan355 said:
If you let us know your budget, location, and whether you’re leaning towards new or used it might be easier to point you in the right direction. Also if you become a subscriber you’d have access to bartertown where members buy and sell.
Click to expand...
probably will subscribe. Thanks for input scottfan355
 
A 40 to 80 watt RMS @ 8 ohm amp that will work at 4 ohms will probably drive any speaker you are likely to encounter at any volume you want in that room. But some speakers will use all of that in your room.
Pay particular attention to the low range with the speakers. It can get muddy in a small room if it's not clean.
I say start with the amp that will run all the speakers. Then run as many speakers through the room as you can till you hit the right one for you.
 
quiet said:
A 40 to 80 watt RMS @ 8 ohm amp that will work at 4 ohms will probably drive any speaker you are likely to encounter at any volume you want in that room. But some speakers will use all of that in your room.
Pay particular attention to the low range with the speakers. It can get muddy in a small room if it's not clean.
I say start with the amp that will run all the speakers. Then run as many speakers through the room as you can till you hit the right one for you.
Click to expand...
Sorry quiet but I have to disagree. Personally I think finding the right speakers first is more important even if they have to be auditioned elsewhere. Then find the amp that suits them best.
 
More sound differences between speakers than amps.
I've got 24 amps in the rack. Yes, they sound different to me. Some a little, some a lot, but most people can't hear it, and they think I'm crazy.
There's a world of difference between the sound of each and every one of the 18 pair of speakers in the room.
My point is amps resemble each other more than speakers do. And some speakers need a lot of power. So get some power to start with, because power is expensive if you go switching amps looking for a sound that a speaker your locked into can't deliver.
No way to know what a speaker sounds like till you get it in the room.
 
quiet said:
More sound differences between speakers than amps.
I've got 24 amps in the rack. Yes, they sound different to me. Some a little, some a lot, but most people can't hear it, and they think I'm crazy.
There's a world of difference between the sound of each and every one of the 18 pair of speakers in the room.
My point is amps resemble each other more than speakers do. And some speakers need a lot of power. So get some power to start with, because power is expensive if you go switching amps looking for a sound that a speaker your locked into can't deliver.
No way to know what a speaker sounds like till you get it in the room.
Click to expand...
True, amps sound much more similar than speakers. But a good quality high power amp is generally more expensive and may not be needed if the OP decides on some efficient speakers.
 
I recommended the modest 40 watt minimum 4 ohm capable to accommodate a wide variety of speakers for all music.
 
ScottFan355 said:
True, amps sound much more similar than speakers. But a good quality high power amp is generally more expensive and may not be needed if the OP decides on some efficient speakers.
Click to expand...
ScottFan355 said:
Fair enough. Unless the OP is interested in tube sound, then anything over 30-35 wpc can get quite spendy.
Click to expand...
The problem I'm struggling with is buying an amplifier of low power output and spending some money and find out that it does not power the speakers I end up with. I have actually done that, and do not want a repeat. I'm referring to 50 watts or less or somewhere in that vicinity. keep in mind these were consumer grade receiver and integrated amps. don't know if that makes a difference or not. non the less, I'm concerned. I find that even a good set of bookshelves require more than 50 watts rms. that's why my first response to scottfan355 was to question that small of an amplifier.
 
vheintz said:
The problem I'm struggling with is buying an amplifier of low power output and spending some money and find out that it does not power the speakers I end up with. I have actually done that, and do not want a repeat. I'm referring to 50 watts or less or somewhere in that vicinity. keep in mind these were consumer grade receiver and integrated amps. don't know if that makes a difference or not. non the less, I'm concerned. I find that even a good set of bookshelves require more than 50 watts rms. that's why my first response to scottfan355 was to question that small of an amplifier.
Click to expand...
It really depends on the speakers you end up with. Bookshelf speakers are actually often less efficient than larger speakers and thus require more power.
 
If yoy told us your location perhaps we could offer more guidance, there may be some good deals on craigslist or other sites.
 
vheintz said:
The problem I'm struggling with is buying an amplifier of low power output and spending some money and find out that it does not power the speakers I end up with. I have actually done that, and do not want a repeat. I'm referring to 50 watts or less or somewhere in that vicinity. keep in mind these were consumer grade receiver and integrated amps. don't know if that makes a difference or not. non the less, I'm concerned. I find that even a good set of bookshelves require more than 50 watts rms. that's why my first response to scottfan355 was to question that small of an amplifier.
Click to expand...


It comes down to the maximum loudness you want to be able to achieve. If you really want an amp that will meet your needs regardless of speakers, it probably needs to be rated for at least 125-150 watts into 8 ohms and at least 30-35% more than that into 4 ohms.

That would give you around 88dB of averaged output, and 10-12dB of headroom, at 8-10 feet with speakers of 85/86dB sensitivity...which is low as you are likely to be using.

Double the power for each additional 3dB of loudness/headroom you might want to achieve. Halve it for each 3dB less you can accept.
 
Last edited:
vheintz said:
The problem I'm struggling with is buying an amplifier of low power output and spending some money and find out that it does not power the speakers I end up with. I have actually done that, and do not want a repeat. I'm referring to 50 watts or less or somewhere in that vicinity. keep in mind these were consumer grade receiver and integrated amps. don't know if that makes a difference or not. non the less, I'm concerned. I find that even a good set of bookshelves require more than 50 watts rms. that's why my first response to scottfan355 was to question that small of an amplifier.
Click to expand...

I'm having good success with 50 to 80. 30 doesn't cut it with a lot of speakers. Even 95 db speakers need more power with a lot of music.

For the 50-watt range try,
JVC vr 5551. An excellent receiver.
Sony STR-6065. Good.
Kenwood Tk-140X.Very good
Sansui 5000A. Good
Pioneer SX-780. Good
Pioneer SX-1000TW. Good
Benjamin R2X40. Good
Realistic STA-120B. Good
Layfette LR-3500. Good
Sherwood S-8900A. Good
Rotel RX-800. Very good
Heath Kit AR-1500. Very good
Magnavox 1500. Very good

For 80 watts try JVC vr-5660. A most excellent receiver.

All these perform up to the claims. At low cost.
 
spark1 said:
It comes down to the maximum loudness you want to be able to achieve. If you really want an amp that will meet your needs regardless of speakers, it probably needs to be rated for at least 125-150 watts into 8 ohms and at least 30-35% more than that into 4 ohms.

That would give you around 88dB of averaged output at 8-10 feet with speakers of 85/86dB sensitivity...which is low as you are likely to be using.

Double the power for each additional 3dB of loudness you might want to achieve. Halve it for each 3dB less you can accept.
Click to expand...

I think that's the reason for the common 50-watt receiver back in the day. Cost. To bad for us. A glut of old 150 watters would be nice.
I now wish I had stocked up on a few.
 
quiet said:
I want tubes, but the learning curve...........
Click to expand...
You’ll likely never go back to ss. My 24wpc mono tube amps can push my 87-88db sealed box speakers to club levels with no noticeable clipping. And they sound sweet af! Just buy new or fully restored and it should be no problem.
 
The only ss I’ve run that made me feel like I could live without tubes was a fully restored sansui 9090db. Got a great trade on it and hated letting it go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom