How Much Power Do Speakers Really Need?

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Clipping is very common, and if it lasts long enough, it is quite audible. In this video, I discuss how much power you often need and how this relates to a speakers sensitivity. Many home theaters do not have enough power and the experience can be greatly enhanced with a little more amplification.

[JosephTongret]

All of these rapid uploads recently have been great, Matt! I'm a delivery driver and I've been binging on them. Thank you for the effort it's taken!

[jamiet]

Awesome upload Matt. I've run into power issues in the past at volumes above -10dB, both from amp clipping and speakers compressing. My current bed layer speakers are PSA MTM-210s that have a 98dB/1w/1m sensitivity, and with a seating distance of only 7-8ft, my current speakers are coasting on AVR power

[hometheaternerd]

Another great video Matt, thanks! I’m enjoying this new format!

[mikedinno]

This video makes me glad I got the Ascend Acoustics SE2 center and about to purchase the mains. It's Anechoic Sensitivity is 92dB. Not too much bass from them but that's the trade off right. I have them crossover at 100Hz to my sub. I also have the Pioneer Elite receiver the SC-LX 704 model which struggles with low sensitivity speakers as it will flash "High Heat" on it's display and lowers the volume. I set the receiver to Standard from Enhanced and with the Ascend speakers I haven't had any more issues.

[johncooper]

Don't have Apple but found PA calculator for Android. Thanks for posting, cheers.

[nattydj]

Great video. Good to hear about the calculation in real time.

Can you add a link to the smart phone app you were discussing, to the main video description? I think it is PACalculate?

If so, then it looks like my beloved Triad Bronze LCR are going to need 300 watts each, to reach reference level at my 9 foot seating distance. Ouch! That's more than they are rated for.

I'd have to move up to the Triad Silver LCR and have a 200 watt per channel amp.

What is not clear to me however is that these are 4 ohm rated I guess I should pay attention to the 4ohm output of the amps in which makes it a little easier.

Or maybe I am thinking about this wrong? Triad seems to think I should be able to reach reference level with the Bronze LCR at 9 feet according to their sizing guide. But I don't see how the math adds up.

[scottclark]

Use dynamic eq

And bump up the centre channel by 2db and listening at -20 -15 is perfect

[operamatthew]

that app is awesome. thanks for the recommendation. it looks like all 7 bed channels & 4 ceiling speakers are capable of hitting 105db reference in the atmos system before room gain. all besides the center channel which would theatrically hit 104.3db peak before room gain.

[SealedOrPorted]

A well recorded multichannel concert video is an excellent tool to test for clipping. If applause is distorted and hurts one’s ears at the volume one normally watches movies, then the system is clipping. I did not realize my Anthem MRX-1120 was clipping until I tried amplifiers through the prepro section of the AVR. It was quite enlightening as the volume was not louder per se, but much clearer with headroom.

[SwirlingDragonMist]

I really liked this video, good info, cozy cadence, thought provoking.

It makes me wonder if it would be clever to use external amplification on just the center channel, allowing for people to goose the dialogue without blowing themselves out the room.

Imagine a system where a ton budget was put into a very nice class A or tube monoblock. Kind of a romantic sentiment in search of crystal clear vocals.

[proprich]

Great content, really enjoying the videos. The 85db for dialogue was especially helpful. Not sure I can take that level for long though😮.

[pulDag]

10:37 -20dB on AVR says nothing for the actual SPL in room, it depends on the sensitivity of the speakers. Say 85dB speaker would be on the half of the volume than 95 dB speaker. Reference level is 85dB SPL (+headroom) in room and it doesnt matter what your AVR indicates on display.

[darrenchase]

What would you say like a highest peak number for a home theater in and average room

[ozziemarquez]

Very informative video, thank you! Still got a question, how much power should one have to power a speaker? Should you aim for an amp that meets the max speaker rating or the RMS or more? Still not sure how much power is too much. I understand too little is bad.

[kirkcunningham]

I always overpower speakers. My JBL Studio 590's are 250 watts at 6ohms. My Yamaha P3500S Pro-Audio amplifiers are 350w per channel at 8ohms and 450w at 4ohms. 1000w bridged mono at 8 ohms. 2000w at 4ohms. Plenty of juice with allot of headroom. I can crank those JBL's loud and clean! Those Yamaha's are extremely efficient for AB amplifiers. Fans are extremely quiet too. Awesome amps for their time. Powering the entire Studio 5 surround system with 4 of those amplifiers. Love em...

[andyv]

So I need an amp if I’m running matin Logan prodigy’s on my pioneer lx 505?I get around 97db at -10 that I have seen so far.

[bluebuddha]

Great video Matt. Should your main speakers and surrounds have similar sensitivity?

[michaelmadsen]

FYI PA calculate isn't compatible with newish phones, looking for an alternative

[andrewkeswick]

Love this, Matt. Thank you. Question: is reference level the ability to achieve 105Db for each speaker in a surround set up? Also, what’s reference level for a subwoofer?

[pulDag]

Hi Matt, I thought you have very sensitive Gedlee speakers in your system? Can you talk about them? They seemed pretty revolutionary back then. Either way thank you for reasonable content.