Power amp wattage vs monitor rating ????

[formerlyfzfile]

I have a question, which at this point I feel like is a totally stupid thing for me to not know, but ............

I have a set of Event 20/20 passives.
I believe they are rated at 150w each.

Someone at another forum mentioned something to the effect that you SHOULD have a power amp with TWICE as much power as the speaker rating.

I guess I dont understand the power vs rating relationship.

If I had a 300 per side amp, how do I NOT blow the speakers???

I think I am thinking of the whole thing wrong.

This is going towards the fact that I figured the Hafler TA1600 (which gets many raves) would be a good amp to get for my speakers.
I currently have a cheap 100w/side Peavey.

..but the 1600 is only a 75w/channel amp so is it enough??

-mike

 

[Massive Master]

The big thing is that you don't want the amp to distort - A powerful amp WILL blow your speakers if you crank it too much. However, a less powerful amp can also damage them by passing distorted signal. Voice coils don't like distortion.

Me? I use a 60/60 on speakers that can easily handle 150/150. It's more than enough to keep me at 85-90dB without breaking a sweat. Admittedly, it's a Bryston - 60 watts on a Bryston is like hundreds of watts on certain "budget" amps (cough... Alesis... Samson... cough). It's all about efficiency. But you pay for that efficiency with HEAT. Around 1,800 BTU's if I remember the specs...

Anyway, if you're consistently running loud, an amp with extra headroom will ensure that the signal is clean.

Personally, I think the 1600 is a great match for the 20/20's. Sure, if you can go up to a 3000, go for it. But if you're listening at reasonable levels, it should serve you just fine.

If you can get plenty of clean power at the levels you're listening at, it's all good.

 

[formerlyfzfile]

Danke MM



That makes me feel better.

I really cant go for the 3000 so I was hoping for a little reassurance on the 1600.

-mike