How do I match drivers to an amp?

jperkin2 · 24th April 2008, 06:08 AM

I am planning on constructing my first round of speakers, but I'm a bit confused on how to match the power rating of my drivers to my amp. I don't want to blow up my first set of speakers, ya know? I don't have an amp OR drivers yet, so my options are totally open at this point.

Let's say that I were to buy an amp with 100W per channel.

If I were to build a 2-way speaker (treble + bass), does the power of all my treble drivers need to be under 100W, and the power of my sub also be under 100W? OR... does the combined power of my treble and bass need to be under 100W?

If I haven't provided enough information to decide, please let me know in that case as well.

Dave Bullet · 24th April 2008, 08:44 AM

Don't worry about what power goes to what drivers.

The things I would consider (in order):
1. How loud would you reasonably expect to play your system? This determines how sensitive your drivers need to be, rather than how much power they can handle.

Remember - every 3dB increase in output requires DOUBLE the power to deliver. For example a pair of speakers with 90dB sensitivity will require HALF the power of a pair of speakers with 87dB at any given volume.

2. Can your receiver handle a pair of 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers?

David.

sreten · 24th April 2008, 10:40 AM

Hi,

As said by David power ratings of the drivers do not really come into it.

Stupid abuse of speakers at parties will always blow the tweeters
irrespective of the amplifier rating, to blow up bass/mid drivers you
essentially also have to be listening at levels where they would
sound terrible.

For smaller drivers the is the possibility of damage with overenthusiastic
use of the bass control or bass heavy material, generally just some common
sense should be applied and speakers will be highly reliable.

Unless of course you go for something unusual e.g. full range etc.

The power of a sub is entirely unrelated to the power to the speakers.
Generally speaking though the SPL levels of the sub should match the
speakers, sub bass extension is then determined by power available and
the box size of the sub, more power can give more SPL or extension.

/sreten.

24th April 2008, 06:08 AM	#1
jperkin2 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008	How do I match drivers to an amp? I am planning on constructing my first round of speakers, but I'm a bit confused on how to match the power rating of my drivers to my amp. I don't want to blow up my first set of speakers, ya know? I don't have an amp OR drivers yet, so my options are totally open at this point. Let's say that I were to buy an amp with 100W per channel. If I were to build a 2-way speaker (treble + bass), does the power of all my treble drivers need to be under 100W, and the power of my sub also be under 100W? OR... does the combined power of my treble and bass need to be under 100W? If I haven't provided enough information to decide, please let me know in that case as well.

24th April 2008, 10:40 AM	#3
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, As said by David power ratings of the drivers do not really come into it. Stupid abuse of speakers at parties will always blow the tweeters irrespective of the amplifier rating, to blow up bass/mid drivers you essentially also have to be listening at levels where they would sound terrible. For smaller drivers the is the possibility of damage with overenthusiastic use of the bass control or bass heavy material, generally just some common sense should be applied and speakers will be highly reliable. Unless of course you go for something unusual e.g. full range etc. The power of a sub is entirely unrelated to the power to the speakers. Generally speaking though the SPL levels of the sub should match the speakers, sub bass extension is then determined by power available and the box size of the sub, more power can give more SPL or extension. /sreten. __________________ There is nothing so practical as a really good theory - Ludwig Boltzmann When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail - Abraham Maslow

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24th April 2008, 08:44 AM	#2
Dave Bullet diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wellington, New Zealand	Don't worry about what power goes to what drivers. The things I would consider (in order): 1. How loud would you reasonably expect to play your system? This determines how sensitive your drivers need to be, rather than how much power they can handle. Remember - every 3dB increase in output requires DOUBLE the power to deliver. For example a pair of speakers with 90dB sensitivity will require HALF the power of a pair of speakers with 87dB at any given volume. 2. Can your receiver handle a pair of 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers? David.

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