So how much power do you really need for domestic listening ?

[Mooly]

Originally Posted by Svein_B

The method proposed is a nice one to get an indication of power requirement.

However, not all CD's (which you would use to determine your comfort level) are recorded with the same level. You may therefore find that you like to listen to some CD's with the volume control at 11 o'clock, but others at 3 o'clock. This will give drastically different levels when you insert your 0 dB disc.

Type of music, ambient noise, mood, etc may also influence your preferences.

SveinB

Valid point

The method outlined does give a "worst case" scenario though. If you happened to choose a music disc at a "low" recorded level, and then used that to set your maximum listening level, then the power requirement shown by the test would be on the high side to what is actually needed.

Perhaps use a few discs or ones you know are recorded close to the maximum levels.

A good point.

[wahab]

Originally Posted by Mooly

Exactly what I find. Your speakers are the same efficiency as mine too.

And I'm sure your ears appreciate it too...

Agree , Mooly...
Anyway, more power will trigger the tympani s
compression mechanisms , making the ears
themselves less "hifi".

[johnr66]

I listen at 2 x 1 watt using speakers in the 92db range and a tapped horn sub. Room is a bit on the live side. I could use a couple more watts as I clip now and then.

[myhrrhleine]

i agree with you, mooly
for cds

[CBS240]

The size/shape of the room and all materials within will certainly have an effect on pwr needs and sound eq distribution . It is easy in a small room to get reverberations and that too will distort.

...now the challenge...to build an amp that has the capability of 200W but has a low enough noise floor that you can clearly listen to mW's of power.

[rdf]

For those with oscilloscopes, one of the most educational things you can do is monitor the voltage at the speaker terminals at 'comfortably loud' listening levels. I was surprised.

[picowallspeaker]

So we can live with an amp's SR of 1 V/uS ...
and

more power will trigger the tympani s
compression mechanisms ...

is true but depends mostly on room size and the way it reflectes-absorbs the sound.
Mostly ,is what gives you full pleasure ,so we can endless speak on recording engineering ,of what was made to produce that sound and how it should be reproduced , regardless it is a synthesized "thump" or a clavycembal. And also the way you are sentimental towards a certain track:
if you played it always loud ,it should be always loud .
This can be achieved with 2 W amps and 96 dB speakers

[Aldotin]

100W(rms)/ch is optimal

Loudspeaker sensitivity: 85dB/1W/1m (worst case)
Listening distance: 3m
Required sound pressure: 90dB
"Loudness" (music dynamics): 10dB
"Room gain": 3dB

[Steve Dunlap]

Originally Posted by Glowbug

Totally depends on the speakers

On big Altec multicells, you might not need more than a 45 triode amp on the horns...for full-size Maggies, you might need that pair of bridged Crown beasts

I have the large Maggies. Every time I built a more powerful amp, they sounded even better. The last mono amps I built for them were 800W each. What I found most interesting was that with more power I didn't listen as loud as with less power, but it sounded better. In my opinion, you have enough power when you can't hear any difference with a more powerful amp.

[Glowbug]

I had the smaller ones (SMGa's) a few years ago, ended up selling them because I didn't have amps anywhere near powerful enough.

Some day I'll get a pair of the six-footers and some big monos. What volume was there, sounded amazing.