Poweramp / Monitor???

[dadan]

Didn't realize there was a "newbie" section so this will be posted twice.
(What a newbie thing to do...Aaahh!!)

Anyways, here it goes:

What is the better combination: A Poweramp that has more power than the Monitors can handle or Monitors
that can handle more power than the Poweramp can supply?

Let's say I have Monitors that can handle around 100 watts continuous (impedance 4 Ohms) what's the biggest Poweramp I can use before I enter the danger zone ( of course that also depends on my listening level)

I guess I'm just looking for some kind of guide/formula etc. to keep in mind when buying Poweramp/ Monitors.

Thanks.

Dadan

[smellyfuzz]

Most monitors will handle 100 watts.
I suggest keeping the amp at or under the speaker wattage.

At 100 watts that is plenty of volume, my Hi-end home system is only
60 watts & it is so loud.

As far as monitor damage, distortion & big bass peaks usually are the
culprit for destroying woofers.

Hence, a low wattage amp distorting can pop a woofer.

GOOD LUCK

Smelly

[bvaleria]

Originally posted by smellyfuzz
Most monitors will handle 100 watts.
I suggest keeping the amp at or under the speaker wattage.

No sorry, that is dead wrong... you don't want an amp rated below a speaker's handling - you want it rated MUCH higher

For example, NS-10s (yikes!) handle 25 watts, but you NEED to power them with a good 100-200 watt amp for any sort of decent sound (and even then...!!) And it has nothing to do with speaker efficiency (although it can be a factor too).

A higher power amp driving a low-power (rated) monitor is LESS LIKELY to damage the speaker than a low-power connected to a speaker capable of handling very high-power.

The reason is simple - most speaker damage occurs due to distortion caused by overdriving an under-powered amp. When you push an amp into clipping, you get a nice square-wave output which easily damages delicate tweeters. However, with a high-power amp, you have ample power to provide a nice clean (square-wave free) signal, even if you push it (to a point, obviously). Of course, there is a point where you will send the driver across the room, but your ears will likely pop before that happens.

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound

[namtrab101]

to bvaleria.....

and that's the truth!!!

Bruce definately has it right. That is the way power works. I have my Crown PB3 hooked up to my new Yorkville YSM1's (which, by the way, thanks to all who recommended them to me!! They ROCK!!) and it sounds sooooooo sweet! I guess I can take my generic pc sub/surround package and give it to my girlfriend!

[Track Rat]

Just echoing what Bruce said. That's the ticket.