Hi all, I'm trying to understand the interaction between amp power ratings and speaker demands. Not wanting to wade into debates about solid state vs Class D vs Tube, or different sound signatures. This is more of a technical question and I'd be grateful for help understanding.
I hear various speakers, including some I own, described as 'power hungry' or as 'needing XYZ watts to sing.' That's where I get confused. If a 100 wpc amp and a 250 wpc amp are driving the same set of speakers, then for a given SPL level wouldn't each amp be putting exactly the same output into the speakers? Even if they're using more or less of their total available power?
To take an example: I have a pair of Ohm Fs redone by Dale Harder. They are slightly more sensitive than the originals, at 88/89 dB 1w/1m. I currently have them in my listening room about 10-11 ft from my ears. Let's call it 3.5 meters. So math says that at my current listening level of 74 dB average / 81 max I'm using basically 1 watt. Pumping the 150 watts Harder lists as the max continuous power (and close to the 200w everyone says is what's needed to make them sing) would be an ear-splitting 102.9 dB at my listening spot. In fact to have an SPL of 81.7 dB at the listening position I would need to sit 40 meters away from the speakers. That's obviously absurd? And yet Dale Harder recommends a 400w amp and says these speakers are appropriate for a 200-400 sq ft room.
This happens to be my example but substitute any 'they need power to really shine' speaker into this scenario.
What am I missing? Is everyone listening to their music at stadium concert sound levels?
I hear various speakers, including some I own, described as 'power hungry' or as 'needing XYZ watts to sing.' That's where I get confused. If a 100 wpc amp and a 250 wpc amp are driving the same set of speakers, then for a given SPL level wouldn't each amp be putting exactly the same output into the speakers? Even if they're using more or less of their total available power?
To take an example: I have a pair of Ohm Fs redone by Dale Harder. They are slightly more sensitive than the originals, at 88/89 dB 1w/1m. I currently have them in my listening room about 10-11 ft from my ears. Let's call it 3.5 meters. So math says that at my current listening level of 74 dB average / 81 max I'm using basically 1 watt. Pumping the 150 watts Harder lists as the max continuous power (and close to the 200w everyone says is what's needed to make them sing) would be an ear-splitting 102.9 dB at my listening spot. In fact to have an SPL of 81.7 dB at the listening position I would need to sit 40 meters away from the speakers. That's obviously absurd? And yet Dale Harder recommends a 400w amp and says these speakers are appropriate for a 200-400 sq ft room.
This happens to be my example but substitute any 'they need power to really shine' speaker into this scenario.
What am I missing? Is everyone listening to their music at stadium concert sound levels?
