Power for Line Arrays

[ralph-bway]

probably a simple question, but hey I'm a simple guy.

If I'm using sixteen drivers (wired series and parallel to get an 8ohm load) for a line array, and the power recommendations for each individual driver is 20 watts @ 8 ohms, do I need 320 watts of amplification @ 8 ohms to drive them properly?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[tiroth]

You do if you want to use the maximum (thermal?) power handling of your drivers; however, you are likely to be limited first by excursion and/or your listening requirements as opposed to power handling.

 

[joeybancroft]

hi, it was thought that years ago if you use a lower powered amp then you couldnt (in theory) blow the speakers as the amp was smaller, but if the amp is too small and you over drive the amp it will start to clip, sending DC voltage to the speaker, this can seriously damage the speaker, so i would say get the biggest amp you can afford or have the space for, even if its alot more powerful than the speakers as the amp will b driven less, and you can always add some more speakers in the future, hope that helps. joe

 

[Chris8sirhC]

I recently built a line array with 16 drivers, each of these had a small db lvl at one meter, but when i was finished, 20 watts was MORE than enough to reach the maximum listening level i would ever want to hear in a normal listening room.

 

[planet10]

One of the reasons for doing a line array is to gain sensitivity so that you can get away with a smaller amp... keep in mind that power ratings on home hifi drivers are pretty much irrelavent.

dave