• 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

What is the sweet spot for WPC?

T

Taketheflame

Super Member
Hey all,

Just a thought I've had. Like many of you, I started out with lower powered receivers/amps (My first receiver was a Hitachi SR-1900, I think it was 15 or 20 WPC), but moved my way up to some more powerful units as I upgraded. Nothing extraordinary, but nearly everything I own now is in the 80-85 WPC range.

It wasn't necessarily more power I was after, but I do feel I ended up with some better sounding gear this way (which I largely attribute to better build quality/parts used than the lower models I started with). And I noticed that My Advent 5012s took a bit more juice to drive w/a 38WPC amp (but it handled them just fine for low to moderate levels), but that they seem very happy/easier to drive with a bit more power.

This has me curious if units (vintage or quality newer 2 channel stuff) ranging from 70 to 100 watts is the "sweet spot" for power? Granted, I know there are some very power hungry speakers out there that like seriously big power (and one's own listening/volume preferences can come into play), but it seems like this range seems good for many popular speakers out there (80W seems to be plenty for anything I own, and according to reading I've done, anything else I'm considering trying down the road).

I guess I'm mostly just curious if there's any point in having more power if I don't listen at ear-bleeding volumes and my gear mates well with the speakers I use? Upgrade-itis is a deep rabbit hole for sure, but I'd rather save some money to have for other things (like better phono cartridges or more records) than watts I won't be using.
 
Register to hide this ad
Sleakers will have a lot to do with it. But there are many other things to consider also. One of my favorite tube amps of puts out 5.5wpc. It sounds great with this one set of speakers I have, not so much with some of my other speakers.
 
Depends totally & absolutely on one's choice in loudspeakers (as well as room, genre of music, listening level, etc. as @botrytis mentioned).
It can also depend on somewhat more subtle paramters such as the impedance curve of the loudspeakers used, the amplifier's output impedance, and whether the amplifier uses any local or global negative feedback. These latter parameters are, IMO/IME part and parcel of the "synergy" (negative or positive) observed (and/or claimed) between certain amplifiers and loudspeakers.

At my house, the 'sweet spot' is 3.5 watts per channel (single-ended 2A3 direct heated triode power amplification), e.g.

DSC_0938 (3) by Mark Hardy, on Flickr
 
One thing that I have found that has affected the quality of sound, at least in my own limited perception, is the quantity of devices used in the output stage, whether tubes or transistors. Generally, this means equipment that falls into the 100Wpc or lower category, as more than this usually means going from two to four output devices per channel, which I find detrimental.
 
30 to 40 should be fine. I just got me a Technics SU-V707 that is rated at 90 WPC. Truly a beast and it sounds good. But I probably won't even bother to push it past one watt in normal usage...
 
botrytis said:
It really depends on speakers, room, volume, etc. That is why there is no sweet spot.
Click to expand...

Very true that speakers are an important variable in all of this... I always tend to have speakers that have quite a high sensitivity (87 dB 1w/1m or more) so for me that means I can use less power... But if your speakers are rated at say 85 dB @ 1w/1m then you will need more power...

Right now I think my speakers are rated at something like 92 dB @ 1w/1m. Cerwin Vegas can have even higher sensitivity ratings... Or Klipsch...
 
I've heard the "sweet spot" for the equipment is around 80% of rated power, leaving some reserve for peak demands.
 
For me, the sweet spot is 125wpc. I don't find myself wanting more, nor do I feel as if I have too much. Any volume level I am looking for is handled nicely without any strain on the amp or speakers.

Firmly in 'more power is better' camp here....
 
Taketheflame said:
Hey all,

Just a thought I've had. Like many of you, I started out with lower powered receivers/amps (My first receiver was a Hitachi SR-1900, I think it was 15 or 20 WPC), but moved my way up to some more powerful units as I upgraded. Nothing extraordinary, but nearly everything I own now is in the 80-85 WPC range.

It wasn't necessarily more power I was after, but I do feel I ended up with some better sounding gear this way (which I largely attribute to better build quality/parts used than the lower models I started with). And I noticed that My Advent 5012s took a bit more juice to drive w/a 38WPC amp (but it handled them just fine for low to moderate levels), but that they seem very happy/easier to drive with a bit more power.

This has me curious if units (vintage or quality newer 2 channel stuff) ranging from 70 to 100 watts is the "sweet spot" for power? Granted, I know there are some very power hungry speakers out there that like seriously big power (and one's own listening/volume preferences can come into play), but it seems like this range seems good for many popular speakers out there (80W seems to be plenty for anything I own, and according to reading I've done, anything else I'm considering trying down the road).

I guess I'm mostly just curious if there's any point in having more power if I don't listen at ear-bleeding volumes and my gear mates well with the speakers I use? Upgrade-itis is a deep rabbit hole for sure, but I'd rather save some money to have for other things (like better phono cartridges or more records) than watts I won't be using.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean by sweet spot for power in a nice sounding unit. Many quality systems never see very high volume and operate quite well in the mentioned power range. I've always put the 'sweet spot' for power at 125 watts from a quality unit. I don't know why but that seems to be the turnover point for a substantial system.... not that more might not be better.
 
botrytis said:
I am only using 50 WPC right now but it is Class A and will drive a 3 ohm load. My big thing is the passive pre-amp - that needs matching from a surgeon, I got lucky with my sledge hammer. :D
Click to expand...
Class A is another whole thing...
 
Answer: It depends on you personal preference and what speakers you are running. If you like laid back sound and your speakers are very efficient, sweet spot is going to be as low as the FIrst Watt. If you prefer objective accuracy and your speakers are tough to drive, 1,000 watts may be your sweet spot. There is no watt number that magically delivers to everyone in all situations.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom