I've been researching speakers and AVR's for my first surround sound set up. This video was the best at describing decibels to watts. But then again, anything Crutchfield is gonna be spot on. Thanks!
It’s all about headroom and the amps design. If you buy some 100 watt consumer market receiver, it probably has four 25 watt transistors and this is not capable of even using at it’s rated power. Not that you would need to listen to it at 100 watts but if you did it would sound like crap and be full of distortion and clipping. If you buy some high end amplifier it might have 36 output transistors and rates their amp at the same wattage you would be listening to it at the bottom end of its range which no clipping and no distortion. So how many watts do you need for a full range floor standing speaker? At minimum you want to be at the manufacturers recommended wattage. But you would probably be better at double that.
This was so helpful. This whole time Im thinking my speakers are under powered because of how much my amp puts out versus how much rms my speakers can handle. I dont even need need a bigger receiver or add an amp.
bravo guys, this helps a lot. You are the only one who could explain this simple thing so well. And this explains why the class D amplifier consume so little electric power!!!
Once you determine the speakers you plan to use and the power you need, you would want to choose an amp that offers that output at the matched impedance to your speakers.
Left out was important that the room be anechoic, lined with sound dampening material. The normal listening room csn vary widely, from draoes and carpet to hardwood floors. Classical music is very dynamic and in concert peak at 95-105 dB but have long passages doen at 40 dB quiet library. Duration is part of the damage to hearing. FYI.
Also a good idea to allow for dynamic range as well of at least 10dB. So yeah 8 watts gets the target, but ideally you want to time's that by 10 for burst power for dynamics so more like 80 watts really.
Thanks for this video. It confirms that I don't have to worry about how weak my choice of possible avrs could be. I prefer to listen below 80dB for the loudest sounds, i.e. explosions and rock music. So I'm sure my speakers will perform well enough at 2 meters distance.
True, but you may not benefit from the better sound processor and / or better quality of parts installed on a Higher End model. For example having proper Audiophile Capacitors, clean power from the transformers, Separate Class AB amps for all channels. My listening levels are same as yours, but still I recommend spending some extra bucks on a better processor, if you can ..
@@uprajsingh I plan to later this year. Right now I have a Fosi Audio DA2120c amp. The experience has been phenomenal for stereo sound. But I need a surround sound receiver if I'm going to fully enjoy my movies.
I recently removed a 12" Celestion labeled speaker that was stamp marked 8 ohm. Nowhere was there a wattage rating marked anywhere. Is there a way to determine what the wattage or power rating is? FYI. The speaker came out of a Marshall JCM 2000 401 which is a 40 watt tube amp. The speaker is not stock because the amp comes stock with a 16 ohm. Everybody shows you how to get the ohm meter reading, but not wattage.
Manufacturer's use specialized testing equipment to determine a speaker's maximum RMS ratings, and there is no way sadly to test with a multimeter to determine those numbers. Most Celestion 12" guitar cabinet speakers like the famous "Green Backs" can usually handle around 25 to 30-watts RMS.
At least I understood this sensitivity issue.... Could you help me with my choice? I have a Harley Benton 100W (8ohms) that I want to use with a 112 guitar cabinet loaded with a Celestion F12-X200 8 ohms, 200W, 97 db sensitivity speaker. Is this Poweramp suitable? Thnx
It’s not just about amount of watts though. I don’t know enough to go into the science or details but I know from my own personal experience that having an AVR that is class A/B amp inside vs using a stand alone amplifier also class A/B the rating for the watts was almost exact in the setup I had with the number of channels driven since my AVR provides that detail by number of channels driven there was a significant difference in sound loudness / fullness coming from my surround speakers even when given the same potential wattage or more from the AVR at the same listening volume. The only difference between the two in this test is the amplifier has 2 toroidal power supplies while the AVR only had 1, and so the current being supplied is more important than the wattage rating. Again maybe you can better explain the science behind that but I think a lot of people just think more wattage equals louder at the same listening level and that is not true because the listening level will dictate the wattage draw from the amplifier so it probably won’t even draw the wattage it is listed as being able to deliver.
Good point! The build does make all the difference. Are you still using both your AVR and stereo amp as part of one setup or as two stand alone systems?
@ yes, I am using both for my setup since I need the AVR as my source / connection to the tv and other components. After getting the amplifier though I am disappointed in the AVR’s ability to drive speakers. The AVR is Emotiva MR1 and the amplifier is the Summit HiFi A7.
This is an excellent explanation. Thank you! However, there seems to be a mistake in the last example: It should have been 90db (not 87db) sensitivity for the first scenario (example at the bottom). That's the same example you had given in the previous segment while explaining the relationship between db output and power (90db sensitivity, 8 watts, 4 meters which translates to 87db output). Then it would match with the 2nd scenario (example at the top): 93db + 4 watts + 4 meters which is also 87db output.
You seem to be discussing sound pressure level changes in what is called for Pi space or environment without floors walls are ceilings. In real rooms your number should be about half I would think. Or, am I missing something significant? Thanks!
Very informative. I am the original owner of a Marantz 2230b reciever. I have been trying to figure out high and low sensitivity speakers. My amp is rated at 30 amps per channel. Can I use speakers that are rated at 86db?
You should be careful,When choosing speakers. The reason being ,More speakers have been destroyed from to little rather than to much power....Go with a higher efficiency pair of speakers,You will be a lot happier in the long run...
Hm..was looking for something else..slightly related.. but.. how does those numbers work on a speaker panel? 3*4 feet poly vs ie a 4*8 feet balsa sheet using a dayton. Are they only for box speakers or all speakers?
Bass sound depend on watt power or not? Or watt power is just the distance that speaker can provide? I have my PC speaker 10W, but bass not much, i sit in front of my pc. I want to buy a new speaker to 60-100W. So will i get bass?
@@crutchfield i am using Edifier R101MT, 10W. not have much bass. i am thinking of upgrading my speakers. can you recommend? but i dont want PC system, i want bluetooth speaker to connect with my phone. best budget bluebooth speake please.
That is not much power but we can change it! One of the best speakers for this application and for budget while keeping bass in mind, are the Audioengine A5+ wireless powered speakers shown here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_772A5PBTB/item.html
so it still begs the answer with your 87 sensative speakers what watt per channel in an AV rec do you need. ? I can figure the addition of the watts acccrding to distance and listening level but say you answer was 8 watts more needed ..to what baseline are we looking inthe AV - all AVrec will come at least a 30-50 watt perchannel
asking a question before I watch , I heard no such thing as a stupid question but here we go lol , I have a Nakamichi sound bar the rear and surround sound speakers are 50 watts a piece I wanna switch them for LG spk8-s speakers they are 70 watts each can I switch the 50 watts to 70 watts , I'm not looking to make it louder I'll be fine with 50watts it's just the nakamichi speakers are big and bulky old school looking I want more modern smaller . so yea would I be ok switching? if it helps the nakamichi is the 9.2.4
There is one more specification that must be known to make sure that the Nakamichi amp can power the LG speakers. The ohms. The amp must be able to support the ohms of the LG speakers. I cannot find the details about the ohms of the speakers in the LG kit, but they must match the ohms supported by the Nakamichi amp.
You should be able to use 100 watt RMS speakers in place of 40 watt RMS speakers. We are happy to check. Which system did you get? Which speakers are you hoping to use in place of the original speakers?
@crutchfield it's an old Hi fi Music system from SONY MHC Rv6...I was able to get an Amplifier without speakers. So I got the speakers from Other Sony Models but not able to get other two surround speakers for the Deck. This Music system comes with 4 Speakers
The surround speakers are listed as having a 24 ohm impedance and its more than likely, you won't find any that can work in place of the original surrounds. However, the front speakers are listed as having a 6 ohm impedance and that's still used in some speakers today.
I feel like for me that this is missing explanation on pairing the right wattage from a AVR to speakers. Example, I have an AVR that is rated at 150w/ch at 8ohms. Do I look for speakers that are rated for 150w at 8ohms or do I look for speakers rated half that of the AVR?
Hi there! Typically, you want the receiver output to be in the range of 70-100% of the RMS handling of the speakers to get in the "sweet spot." So, for a 150 watt-per-channel receiver, you are looking at speakers that can handle 150-215 watts each. If you have other questions, feel free to reach out any time!
I want to reach 105-110 db in my car at ear position, I have speakers that are rated for 45watts rms but I’m not even reaching 100 db really and speakers are in the door and face in obviously. So not even pointed toward the ear and is about 4-4 1/2 ft from ears maybe more or less depending on height and how forward and backward the seat is. They are powered by a Sony and towards the high end of the volume I notice the voices sound gurgling and distorted. Idk if that is because the speakers are maxing out on power or is the headunit is maxed out and I need an amp
Adding an amp to power your speakers will help provide improved overall clarity and higher volume levels, as well as help to prevent distortion at higher volumes. Based on the power rating of your speakers, here's a great sounding Pioneer 4-channel amp to consider: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc928/p_130GMA4704/Pioneer-GM-A4704.html?tp=35782
Doesn't it take 16W for the 87dB sensitivity rating speaker to maintain 87dB at 4m? Because at 4m, there will be -12dB reduction. So, to compensate for the reduction 4*3dB by doubling power 4 times from 1watt, should result in 16W instead of 8W right? Pls correct me if I'm wrong.
Quick question, for a 105 watt per channel receiver Yamaha RX-A1000 , is it best to have 100 watt speakers, or 200 watt speakers, and what would be the difference? trying to replace my tower speakers.
More information about your use and the speakers is needed before a recommendation can be given. We have advisors that can discuss this with you to give you a personal recommendation between the speakers. Here's how to reach us for this help: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc227/support/ContactUs.aspx
I have 4 Klipsch AW-650 speakers i just purchased for a large outdoor pool area. I have not purchased stereo/amp yet, I was looking at the Pyle PD1000BT 4-channel amp receiver 200 watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms or the Plye PD3000BT 4-Channel amp receiver 300 watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms. I would appreciate any input, help or recommendations.
Hi. very helpful and good video. So im currently noob to this hi-fi word. I have FL FR and Centre speakers from B&W - FPM series connected to an old marantz NR 1501. 8 ohms provide 50 w output. My question, is this enough power ? The speakers can go up to 120 W the listening distance is 2,7 meters (ish).
Pretty much. There are very few times that 150W speakers will need to get all 150W of the power they can handle. It's all dictated by the volume level goals and seating distance
Hello 👋 I have a Amp which puts out 105 watts pro Chanel, and my speakers are 120 watts at 4-8 ohms with a sensitivity of 87 db. So even at 2 watts my speakers are still going to be very laud ?
I think it would have been better to put the dB at the microphone, saying "there this is what you hear" in opposition that what the speaker is producing.
So what happens when i add more speakers. If I have a 100 watts per channel with 2 driven, how many watts each of my 5 speakers getting do you do 100 divided by 5?
Those specifications are not always provided by home theater receivers and will even vary depending on which channels are getting the intense audio at any given time. Bass frequencies are the most power hungry of them all and sending the bass from the main channels to the subwoofer will help with the volume levels of all the channels
I'm confused. I keep seeing videos saying that it's bad to buy speakers with higher RMS than the AVR can handle per channel. So say I have a 70watt per channel AVR. I have two 94db speakers that are rated at 85 watts. I am sitting 3 meters away. To listen at 88db It would take 4 watts of power. So then I have 66 watts left over for that channel? How is that bad?
I'm sorry but I've been looking everywhere for answers but off topic question: "If i have a 250w active loud speaker and decides to just use a portable power station, let's say a 600w power station, how long will it last?" Same question, The JBL Partybox 1000 can put out 1000w of power (sound)...would i too need a 1000w power station? And how long too?
We do not have the equations to calculate how long a power station, or battery, can keep a system playing. But it does seem that you will most likely need the details on the power being used by the active speaker's built-in amp to run the 250W speaker as well as the total power being stored by a power station or battery.
I have an 88db speaker and im powering it at 110 watt in my theatre room and i am listening it at 4.5 mtr.. how much db is i am hearing..and is that good or not?
Ok What is the RMS watt needed for a PA to have the same output of a 50W tube amp in a 2x12 or a 100W in 4x12 ? Why somehow 100W in a tube amp is a lot but 300W RMS in a Power amp (solid state) is too low?
Hi Renato, the best amp match in either case will come down to your exact use, space, and speakers. In most cases, a PA amp will be used with less efficient speakers and needs to fill a larger area than a traditional tube amp home system amp would. We do have a great shopping guide for PA amps here: www.crutchfield.com/S-9hm3vCEhlSE/learn/pro-audio-amplifiers-buying-guide.html
I was looking to obtain a “bookshelf” type of system. I found a Jensen system rated at 35W. I’m trying to figure how much volume it might put out? Is that enough to hear wafting through a 2000 sq. ft. one story, or barely fill one room? I might like to plug up my guitar through a practice amp and play along. I saw another system without a turntable with 700W. Not wanting to entertain folks two cities away lol. Just want to generate some respectable volume with getting the cops called on me haha. Thank you
That most likely will be a bit low on power the needed to fill such a big open space with clear sound with that Jensen system. If the turntable system watts is RMS watts, that can work but is more power than is needed which wont hurt anything but does mean you need to be more caution when adjusting the volume to keep it to levels that won't disturb anyone outside your home. With fairly efficient speakers, you could get by with 75-100 watts for comfortable listening levels. We don't have a shelf system prepackaged with this ability and power. However, we have advisors that can help build a system for you that will have bookshelf speakers and be all inclusive with the gear needed to get it up and running. Here's how to reach us for this live help: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc227/support/ContactUs.aspx
@@crutchfield I just have the speakers that came with the system. So are you saying that if I bought different speakers I could have the increased volume? I did note a difference in the volume when playing an LP vs. Blue Toothing music from my iPhone. Thank you for your assistance.
For us to give you a solid, accurate answer, we would need to look further into the model information on the products you are using, David. As mentioned above, with fairly efficient speakers, you could get by with 75-100 watts for comfortable listening levels. However, finding out what receiver or amp you're using, and exactly what type of RMS wattage is being delivered, will help us to give you better info. We will be happy to look into this for you, please reach out for life help at: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc164/support/ContactUs.aspx
I understood nothing. I just want to know what's the power number I need to power up 2 speakers of 2000 watts. Do I need a 4000 watts amplifier? Thanks for your answer if you get me in a couple days.
You certainly could get an amp that outputs all the watts RMS that your speakers can handle. But that is not always needed to play speakers in every situation and more information is needed to help recommend what to shop for. We will be happy to give you a personal recommendation. What brand and model speakers are you referring to?
@@crutchfield My speakers are the titan 15, and I just learned that the RMS whatts are more important than the peak watts, is it true?This speakers are 500 watts RMS, it says I can link them, if I do that Ill use 500 or 1000 watts RMS in total?
There are definitely some 100 watt speakers that are built to be used in a home. There are even some speakers that can handle more than 100 watts but don't need more than 100 watts to play well in a home. Do you have any brand preferences? Any preference on the type of speaker (i.e. floor standing, book shelf, on-wall, in-wall, etc..)?
There are a few different bookshelf speakers that you can choose from with one of the fullest sound middle of the road speakers being the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 found here: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_893B6G100B/item.html
Hi, i am having klipsch RP280FA, RP-450C and RP150M speakes and Yamaha TSR-700(100W/channel, 2 channel driven). My listnening position is 10ft(3M) from speakers, i am increasing my volume level to 40 to hear my desiring sound. I am not using any external amp. Can you suggest what should i do to hear all dynamics with out going to that high volume level and till now i am not using any Sub but i had one which is klipsch 112SW. If i use the SUB and make the towers as small in the confuguration and setting cross over to 80, will the sound change?
Sounds like a great setup! If you already used YPAO's calibration setup, your best bet will be to continue tweaking the sound via the the receiver's settings. From there, you could consider more power.
If the volume scale is 1-100, then there should be no issues playing the audio on that system at 40. That being said, the controls in the Yamaha calibration system are not expected to reduce the volume level number that is used to get the volume level you prefer. The only way to do that is to install a more powerful amp. Your receiver has preamp outputs for the front left and right channels. Installing an amp to power them will help with the volume levels from all the speakers. We offer an OSD amp that is a perfect power match to the Klipsch speakers: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_452XMP300/item.html
You say that when you double the listening distance from your speakers, the sound pressure level drops by 6db. This is only true when measured under anechoic conditions. In the real world, like a typical lounge or listening room, there boundary reinforcements. Reflective surfaces which reduce sound pressure level loss by as much as 3db!
Yes, the same applies to virtually all speakers. However, in home settings it is easier to control and maintain equal listening distances from each speaker. That isn't as ideal in cars.
There is more to it.. with higher watts you get Authority Control deep imaging sound stage opens instruments n vocals greatly improve and a whole lot more ! 😊
All I know about speakers is that you want to have the maximum power of the amp be lower than the maximum wattage of the speaker so the speaker doesn’t blow up. I’m basing all of this on a guitar amp context.
I have 2 x 12" woofer rated for 300W continues and 600W peak with sensitivity 92dB (+/-2), impedance of 8 Ohms, resonance freq 25Hz (+/-20%), freq range f20>>3kHz. Can someone tell me, how do I select mid-range and tweeter for my woofer?. I want to build a decent 3 way speaker system for my home use.
Hi Keith, sounds like you're working on a fun project! If you can find a copy, The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook is a helpful guide for custom speaker building: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc921/p_224BKAA60/The-Loudspeaker-Design-Cookbook.html
@@crutchfield thanks for the reply. I found that book on amazon, it was $49.97. But unfortunately I'm not living in USA, my country is Sri Lanka. Amazon does ship this book to Sri Lanka but shipping fee is $49.96, so the total is $99.93 (almost $100). That'll cost me around 35,720LKR, that's way too much. I should probably do more research and figure it out by my self.
We have advisors that can help! Here's how to reach us to get started finding an amp that will work with the speakers and the rest of your gear: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc227/support/ContactUs.aspx
If you have an amp that's outputting 900 watts and speakers that can handle 1000 watts that will work well. The amp should be able to drive those speakers pretty well. They key is not overpowering the speakers, so this should work just fine.
@@crutchfield I mean... I loved the explanation. But amps are 50... 70... 100... 300 watts. So it's difficult for me to understand how to choose the right amp for my speakers.
Yes it Will. If your speaker is 97dB sensitivity, your speakers can play 97dB with 1 watt. You will easily play that all they long. If you find out how much it can play that’s for 8 hours. So let’s say your 97dB sensitivity speakers they can with the 45 watt amp play 109-112dB all they long. I would not try it out, but it can.
The sensitivity ratings are given (usually) for 1 watt of power with the dB measured 1 meter away. If you give a 97dB speaker 45 watts of power, you will be roughly at around 112-113dB at 1 meter from the speaker. A 94dB volume level would be heard from around 4 meters away from the speakers.
Hello Sir I Have 120 Watts Amplifier. Can I Use Total 170 Watts Speakers To The Board? Any Problem For Amplifier? And I Decided To Using With Cooling Fan? Any Problem? 2 Speakers = 120Watts 2 Speakers = 50Watts
Hi Ramakrishna, In order to ensure we provide you with correct and precise information, please reach out to us by phone or online chat. We will need to gather as much model information on the products you are using, to be sure everything is a good match. www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc164/contact
all sensitivity ratings are not measured the same throughout manufactures. Klipsche, for example, uses boundary gain in their testing. basically they cheat.
Why don’t all speaker manufacturers all just make high sensitivity speakers then? What’s the advantage of low sensitivity and is it actually audible to humans if there is an advantage in measurement terms?
We are using a 90db sensitivity in our example when we started discussing the distance factor and how that impacts db's . The good news is that you are correct! An 87 db speaker does need 16 watts for people to hear its audio at 87 db level when 4m away.
I've been researching speakers and AVR's for my first surround sound set up. This video was the best at describing decibels to watts. But then again, anything Crutchfield is gonna be spot on. Thanks!
this is the most helpful video regarding decibels to watts i've seen so far.
This was the best explanation of this subject I've ever seen
Thank you! 🥰
2...
The formula is simply N+1. This assumes that N is the amount of Watts you currently have...
It’s all about headroom and the amps design. If you buy some 100 watt consumer market receiver, it probably has four 25 watt transistors and this is not capable of even using at it’s rated power. Not that you would need to listen to it at 100 watts but if you did it would sound like crap and be full of distortion and clipping. If you buy some high end amplifier it might have 36 output transistors and rates their amp at the same wattage you would be listening to it at the bottom end of its range which no clipping and no distortion.
So how many watts do you need for a full range floor standing speaker? At minimum you want to be at the manufacturers recommended wattage. But you would probably be better at double that.
This was so helpful. This whole time Im thinking my speakers are under powered because of how much my amp puts out versus how much rms my speakers can handle. I dont even need need a bigger receiver or add an amp.
bravo guys, this helps a lot. You are the only one who could explain this simple thing so well. And this explains why the class D amplifier consume so little electric power!!!
It's great to hear that you found it helpful! 🙂
Very good explanation. The visual really helped. Thank you!
You explained about spl and wattage.. what about 1) spectrum and power distribution and 2) loudness
What about ohms?? Like 4 ohms vs 8 ohms?
Once you determine the speakers you plan to use and the power you need, you would want to choose an amp that offers that output at the matched impedance to your speakers.
Excellent explanation and examples. Very helpful. Thanks!
@3:16 the Sensitivity rating should be 90dB. Correct me if I am wrong.
You would appear to be right, the diagram number is off, but what he says is correct. Good catch!
Left out was important that the room be anechoic, lined with sound dampening material. The normal listening room csn vary widely, from draoes and carpet to hardwood floors. Classical music is very dynamic and in concert peak at 95-105 dB but have long passages doen at 40 dB quiet library. Duration is part of the damage to hearing. FYI.
Also a good idea to allow for dynamic range as well of at least 10dB. So yeah 8 watts gets the target, but ideally you want to time's that by 10 for burst power for dynamics so more like 80 watts really.
Thanks for this video. It confirms that I don't have to worry about how weak my choice of possible avrs could be. I prefer to listen below 80dB for the loudest sounds, i.e. explosions and rock music. So I'm sure my speakers will perform well enough at 2 meters distance.
You're welcome! We are glad this helped. Let us know when we can help again
True, but you may not benefit from the better sound processor and / or better quality of parts installed on a Higher End model. For example having proper Audiophile Capacitors, clean power from the transformers, Separate Class AB amps for all channels. My listening levels are same as yours, but still I recommend spending some extra bucks on a better processor, if you can ..
@@uprajsingh I plan to later this year. Right now I have a Fosi Audio DA2120c amp. The experience has been phenomenal for stereo sound. But I need a surround sound receiver if I'm going to fully enjoy my movies.
excellent being a very visual person , that was the first time i have started to understand that topic . very well presented . lucid and concise .👍👍👍
Thank you! Glad we could help. Are you looking for speakers or an amp for a specific setup?
Excellent explanation. Thank you.
You're welcome! It's great to hear that you found it helpful! 🙂
I recently removed a 12" Celestion labeled speaker that was stamp marked 8 ohm. Nowhere was there a wattage rating marked anywhere. Is there a way to determine what the wattage or power rating is? FYI. The speaker came out of a Marshall JCM 2000 401 which is a 40 watt tube amp. The speaker is not stock because the amp comes stock with a 16 ohm. Everybody shows you how to get the ohm meter reading, but not wattage.
Manufacturer's use specialized testing equipment to determine a speaker's maximum RMS ratings, and there is no way sadly to test with a multimeter to determine those numbers. Most Celestion 12" guitar cabinet speakers like the famous "Green Backs" can usually handle around 25 to 30-watts RMS.
At least I understood this sensitivity issue.... Could you help me with my choice? I have a Harley Benton 100W (8ohms) that I want to use with a 112 guitar cabinet loaded with a Celestion F12-X200 8 ohms, 200W, 97 db sensitivity speaker. Is this Poweramp suitable? Thnx
That amp can power the speaker you described! It won't make that speaker play its loudest but as you have seen, that isn't often needed in most rooms.
this is the first time that I clearly understood driver sensitivity
Lfe+main it will lower frequency whether small or large
It’s not just about amount of watts though. I don’t know enough to go into the science or details but I know from my own personal experience that having an AVR that is class A/B amp inside vs using a stand alone amplifier also class A/B the rating for the watts was almost exact in the setup I had with the number of channels driven since my AVR provides that detail by number of channels driven there was a significant difference in sound loudness / fullness coming from my surround speakers even when given the same potential wattage or more from the AVR at the same listening volume. The only difference between the two in this test is the amplifier has 2 toroidal power supplies while the AVR only had 1, and so the current being supplied is more important than the wattage rating. Again maybe you can better explain the science behind that but I think a lot of people just think more wattage equals louder at the same listening level and that is not true because the listening level will dictate the wattage draw from the amplifier so it probably won’t even draw the wattage it is listed as being able to deliver.
Good point! The build does make all the difference. Are you still using both your AVR and stereo amp as part of one setup or as two stand alone systems?
@ yes, I am using both for my setup since I need the AVR as my source / connection to the tv and other components. After getting the amplifier though I am disappointed in the AVR’s ability to drive speakers. The AVR is Emotiva MR1 and the amplifier is the Summit HiFi A7.
Do you feel you are not getting enough wattage delivered to your speakers from your AVR?
This is an excellent explanation. Thank you!
However, there seems to be a mistake in the last example: It should have been 90db (not 87db) sensitivity for the first scenario (example at the bottom). That's the same example you had given in the previous segment while explaining the relationship between db output and power (90db sensitivity, 8 watts, 4 meters which translates to 87db output). Then it would match with the 2nd scenario (example at the top): 93db + 4 watts + 4 meters which is also 87db output.
Yup! That caught me as well.
Same. Was really thrown off at first
Indeed!
You seem to be discussing sound pressure level changes in what is called for Pi space or environment without floors walls are ceilings. In real rooms your number should be about half I would think. Or, am I missing something significant? Thanks!
How about the 900 watts ?
This is good understanding tutorial. Thanks
Very informative. I am the original owner of a Marantz 2230b reciever. I have been trying to figure out high and low sensitivity speakers. My amp is rated at 30 amps per channel. Can I use speakers that are rated at 86db?
You could use them, but they will be limited on the volume they can reach. you would essentially be capped at around 98-102 dB.
You should be careful,When choosing speakers. The reason being ,More speakers have been destroyed from to little rather than to much power....Go with a higher efficiency pair of speakers,You will be a lot happier in the long run...
Very informative, thanks!
Hm..was looking for something else..slightly related.. but.. how does those numbers work on a speaker panel? 3*4 feet poly vs ie a 4*8 feet balsa sheet using a dayton. Are they only for box speakers or all speakers?
Bass sound depend on watt power or not? Or watt power is just the distance that speaker can provide? I have my PC speaker 10W, but bass not much, i sit in front of my pc.
I want to buy a new speaker to 60-100W. So will i get bass?
More power can help with bass. Would you like help choosing a new PC speaker system?
@@crutchfield i am using Edifier R101MT, 10W. not have much bass. i am thinking of upgrading my speakers. can you recommend? but i dont want PC system, i want bluetooth speaker to connect with my phone. best budget bluebooth speake please.
That is not much power but we can change it! One of the best speakers for this application and for budget while keeping bass in mind, are the Audioengine A5+ wireless powered speakers shown here:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_772A5PBTB/item.html
I have speakers of 100w each, if i power them with amp of 20w per channel will the speakers are loud enough for a room
That will depend on the speakers, and the size of the room. What speakers are you wanting to power?
@@crutchfield these speakers are of a company called fredo with size of 4 inch and a sensitivity of 86db. The size of the room is 15×15 feet.
These are actually full range woofer
I want to ad it
This is the best video on this topic.
I have 5 surround system speakers that I want to connect to a mixer, how to do that?
so it still begs the answer with your 87 sensative speakers what watt per channel in an AV rec do you need. ? I can figure the addition of the watts acccrding to distance and listening level but say you answer was 8 watts more needed ..to what baseline are we looking inthe AV - all AVrec will come at least a 30-50 watt perchannel
asking a question before I watch , I heard no such thing as a stupid question but here we go lol , I have a Nakamichi sound bar the rear and surround sound speakers are 50 watts a piece I wanna switch them for LG spk8-s speakers they are 70 watts each can I switch the 50 watts to 70 watts , I'm not looking to make it louder I'll be fine with 50watts it's just the nakamichi speakers are big and bulky old school looking I want more modern smaller . so yea would I be ok switching? if it helps the nakamichi is the 9.2.4
There is one more specification that must be known to make sure that the Nakamichi amp can power the LG speakers. The ohms. The amp must be able to support the ohms of the LG speakers. I cannot find the details about the ohms of the speakers in the LG kit, but they must match the ohms supported by the Nakamichi amp.
So how much power do my speakers need?
Exactly. How about some useful info for end users?
He literally explains everything you need. Just consider your usage scenario and do simple math based on that.
I would say about 1.21 gigawatts
@@Huy0035 i would say you need at least 1000 neggawats
Great explanation. Thank you
Thank you! We hope it helps!!
Great Sharing knowledge, Shot cut and clear .
Can I use 100w speakers ? instead of 40w speakers which came by default with Amplifier? With the same impedance?
You should be able to use 100 watt RMS speakers in place of 40 watt RMS speakers. We are happy to check. Which system did you get? Which speakers are you hoping to use in place of the original speakers?
@crutchfield it's an old Hi fi Music system from SONY MHC Rv6...I was able to get an Amplifier without speakers. So I got the speakers from Other Sony Models but not able to get other two surround speakers for the Deck. This Music system comes with 4 Speakers
The surround speakers are listed as having a 24 ohm impedance and its more than likely, you won't find any that can work in place of the original surrounds. However, the front speakers are listed as having a 6 ohm impedance and that's still used in some speakers today.
@@crutchfield yes , I came through a surround speaker which is 24ohns but 100 watt, the actual surround speaker is 30w with 24ohns.
That's impressive! We didn't think you would find a 24 ohm speaker. Which brand and model speaker are you using in place of the OEM?
I feel like for me that this is missing explanation on pairing the right wattage from a AVR to speakers. Example, I have an AVR that is rated at 150w/ch at 8ohms. Do I look for speakers that are rated for 150w at 8ohms or do I look for speakers rated half that of the AVR?
Hi there! Typically, you want the receiver output to be in the range of 70-100% of the RMS handling of the speakers to get in the "sweet spot." So, for a 150 watt-per-channel receiver, you are looking at speakers that can handle 150-215 watts each.
If you have other questions, feel free to reach out any time!
@@crutchfield Thank you so much for clearing that up for me.
You're welcome! If you need anything further, please let us know.
Amazing explanation.
Thank you for enjoying and commenting!🥰
Brilliant explanation! 4 yrs later still best video. Everything is so confusing
Thank you! 🙂
I want to reach 105-110 db in my car at ear position, I have speakers that are rated for 45watts rms but I’m not even reaching 100 db really and speakers are in the door and face in obviously. So not even pointed toward the ear and is about 4-4 1/2 ft from ears maybe more or less depending on height and how forward and backward the seat is. They are powered by a Sony and towards the high end of the volume I notice the voices sound gurgling and distorted. Idk if that is because the speakers are maxing out on power or is the headunit is maxed out and I need an amp
Adding an amp to power your speakers will help provide improved overall clarity and higher volume levels, as well as help to prevent distortion at higher volumes. Based on the power rating of your speakers, here's a great sounding Pioneer 4-channel amp to consider: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc928/p_130GMA4704/Pioneer-GM-A4704.html?tp=35782
Doesn't it take 16W for the 87dB sensitivity rating speaker to maintain 87dB at 4m? Because at 4m, there will be -12dB reduction. So, to compensate for the reduction 4*3dB by doubling power 4 times from 1watt, should result in 16W instead of 8W right? Pls correct me if I'm wrong.
Yes, the calculation is the speaker's sensitivity rating, expressed by its measured decibel rating under one watt of power at a distance of one meter.
Quick question, for a 105 watt per channel receiver Yamaha RX-A1000 , is it best to have 100 watt speakers, or 200 watt speakers, and what would be the difference? trying to replace my tower speakers.
More information about your use and the speakers is needed before a recommendation can be given. We have advisors that can discuss this with you to give you a personal recommendation between the speakers. Here's how to reach us for this help:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc227/support/ContactUs.aspx
Very go start please do more to help us with the math of a 5.1 or 7.1.2
Great job, nice explanation. But I didn't understand the last part( about changing the watt and how it affected the db)
Thanks for this explanation. I appreciate it.
Babies drink pee
@@larryhoffsetz3533 ????
@@Yt_ShadowBannedme lol wtf
I have 4 Klipsch AW-650 speakers i just purchased for a large outdoor pool area. I have not purchased stereo/amp yet, I was looking at the Pyle PD1000BT 4-channel amp receiver 200 watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms or the Plye PD3000BT 4-Channel amp receiver 300 watts x 2 @ 8 Ohms. I would appreciate any input, help or recommendations.
What about the height or level of speakers to listener?
Hi. very helpful and good video. So im currently noob to this hi-fi word. I have FL FR and Centre speakers from B&W - FPM series connected to an old marantz NR 1501. 8 ohms provide 50 w output. My question, is this enough power ? The speakers can go up to 120 W
the listening distance is 2,7 meters (ish).
That power should work well for easy to moderate listening levels. What are your goals for the volume levels?
Thank you for your information. Now i know which monitor speaker i have to buy for my needs.
You're welcome! If you need anything further, please let us know.
from my understanding it means i dont need a 150w amp for a pair of 150w speakers. is that correct?
Pretty much. There are very few times that 150W speakers will need to get all 150W of the power they can handle. It's all dictated by the volume level goals and seating distance
@@crutchfield thank you. I have been try to work it out all week. your video was the first to make sense
We are glad we could help and put an end to a weeks long struggle lol Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help.
Hello 👋
I have a Amp which puts out 105 watts pro Chanel, and my speakers are 120 watts at 4-8 ohms with a sensitivity of 87 db.
So even at 2 watts my speakers are still going to be very laud ?
At two watts, from 1 meter away you would get a volume of 90dB.
I think it would have been better to put the dB at the microphone, saying "there this is what you hear" in opposition that what the speaker is producing.
So what happens when i add more speakers. If I have a 100 watts per channel with 2 driven, how many watts each of my 5 speakers getting do you do 100 divided by 5?
Those specifications are not always provided by home theater receivers and will even vary depending on which channels are getting the intense audio at any given time. Bass frequencies are the most power hungry of them all and sending the bass from the main channels to the subwoofer will help with the volume levels of all the channels
I'm confused. I keep seeing videos saying that it's bad to buy speakers with higher RMS than the AVR can handle per channel.
So say I have a 70watt per channel AVR. I have two 94db speakers that are rated at 85 watts. I am sitting 3 meters away. To listen at 88db It would take 4 watts of power. So then I have 66 watts left over for that channel? How is that bad?
Sounds like your system's specs match well.
Pls advice amp watt for 82db speakers with max 15w/30w at 8 impedance…. Thanks
So, 15 watt RMS power?
@@crutchfield yes and 30w max.
You'd need to be in that 15 watt RMS range to safely power them.
So my avr puts out 70wtts per channel and im planning to buy the klipsch rp600mii they are 100wtts per speaker with 94.5 dbs.. i should be ok right??
Absolutely. That's plenty of power for those Klipsch speakers! 🙂📢
@@crutchfieldthank you so much..this cleared my confusion! Because some youtuber says otherwise!
You're welcome! 🙂
I'm sorry but I've been looking everywhere for answers but off topic question: "If i have a 250w active loud speaker and decides to just use a portable power station, let's say a 600w power station, how long will it last?" Same question, The JBL Partybox 1000 can put out 1000w of power (sound)...would i too need a 1000w power station? And how long too?
We do not have the equations to calculate how long a power station, or battery, can keep a system playing. But it does seem that you will most likely need the details on the power being used by the active speaker's built-in amp to run the 250W speaker as well as the total power being stored by a power station or battery.
I have an 88db speaker and im powering it at 110 watt in my theatre room and i am listening it at 4.5 mtr.. how much db is i am hearing..and is that good or not?
The best way to measure that is to pick up a sound level meter. That will help you get the most accurate specs for your setup and space.
great explnation on the subject
Thanks! 😎
@@crutchfield added this to my saved videos for later incase i need to reference it
Ok What is the RMS watt needed for a PA to have the same output of a 50W tube amp in a 2x12 or a 100W in 4x12 ?
Why somehow 100W in a tube amp is a lot but 300W RMS in a Power amp (solid state) is too low?
Hi Renato, the best amp match in either case will come down to your exact use, space, and speakers. In most cases, a PA amp will be used with less efficient speakers and needs to fill a larger area than a traditional tube amp home system amp would. We do have a great shopping guide for PA amps here: www.crutchfield.com/S-9hm3vCEhlSE/learn/pro-audio-amplifiers-buying-guide.html
@@crutchfield nice reply, thank you
You're welcome. If you need help choosing or anything further, please let us know.
The stronger amp the better speakers sounds on low and high levels. But normally you don't need stronger than 100 watts dynamic 8Ω.
i have a speaker and i took out the battery, its a 5 volt. Will it brake if i put a 7 volt on it ?
I wouldnt put a higher voltage battery in it, no
I was looking to obtain a “bookshelf” type of system. I found a Jensen system rated at 35W. I’m trying to figure how much volume it might put out? Is that enough to hear wafting through a 2000 sq. ft. one story, or barely fill one room? I might like to plug up my guitar through a practice amp and play along.
I saw another system without a turntable with 700W. Not wanting to entertain folks two cities away lol.
Just want to generate some respectable volume with getting the cops called on me haha. Thank you
That most likely will be a bit low on power the needed to fill such a big open space with clear sound with that Jensen system. If the turntable system watts is RMS watts, that can work but is more power than is needed which wont hurt anything but does mean you need to be more caution when adjusting the volume to keep it to levels that won't disturb anyone outside your home.
With fairly efficient speakers, you could get by with 75-100 watts for comfortable listening levels. We don't have a shelf system prepackaged with this ability and power. However, we have advisors that can help build a system for you that will have bookshelf speakers and be all inclusive with the gear needed to get it up and running. Here's how to reach us for this live help:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc227/support/ContactUs.aspx
@@crutchfield I just have the speakers that came with the system. So are you saying that if I bought different speakers I could have the increased volume? I did note a difference in the volume when playing an LP vs. Blue Toothing music from my iPhone. Thank you for your assistance.
For us to give you a solid, accurate answer, we would need to look further into the model information on the products you are using, David.
As mentioned above, with fairly efficient speakers, you could get by with 75-100 watts for comfortable listening levels.
However, finding out what receiver or amp you're using, and exactly what type of RMS wattage is being delivered, will help us to give you better info.
We will be happy to look into this for you, please reach out for life help at: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc164/support/ContactUs.aspx
I understood nothing.
I just want to know what's the power number I need to power up 2 speakers of 2000 watts.
Do I need a 4000 watts amplifier? Thanks for your answer if you get me in a couple days.
You certainly could get an amp that outputs all the watts RMS that your speakers can handle. But that is not always needed to play speakers in every situation and more information is needed to help recommend what to shop for. We will be happy to give you a personal recommendation. What brand and model speakers are you referring to?
@@crutchfield My speakers are the titan 15, and I just learned that the RMS whatts are more important than the peak watts, is it true?This speakers are 500 watts RMS, it says I can link them, if I do that Ill use 500 or 1000 watts RMS in total?
Yes, we do want to match the RMS rating. What is the brand and model of your speakers?
My question is, why do some speaker manufactures make their speakers with low Db ratings???
In many cases, that option can mean greater power handling.
100 watts speakers are good for home purpose or not?
There are definitely some 100 watt speakers that are built to be used in a home. There are even some speakers that can handle more than 100 watts but don't need more than 100 watts to play well in a home. Do you have any brand preferences? Any preference on the type of speaker (i.e. floor standing, book shelf, on-wall, in-wall, etc..)?
@@crutchfield book shelf
There are a few different bookshelf speakers that you can choose from with one of the fullest sound middle of the road speakers being the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 found here:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_893B6G100B/item.html
Hi, i am having klipsch RP280FA, RP-450C and RP150M speakes and Yamaha TSR-700(100W/channel, 2 channel driven). My listnening position is 10ft(3M) from speakers, i am increasing my volume level to 40 to hear my desiring sound. I am not using any external amp. Can you suggest what should i do to hear all dynamics with out going to that high volume level and till now i am not using any Sub but i had one which is klipsch 112SW. If i use the SUB and make the towers as small in the confuguration and setting cross over to 80, will the sound change?
Sounds like a great setup! If you already used YPAO's calibration setup, your best bet will be to continue tweaking the sound via the the receiver's settings. From there, you could consider more power.
@@crutchfield do i need any amp for this setup for my sitting position? Is ypao calibration will be a perfect one?
If the volume scale is 1-100, then there should be no issues playing the audio on that system at 40. That being said, the controls in the Yamaha calibration system are not expected to reduce the volume level number that is used to get the volume level you prefer. The only way to do that is to install a more powerful amp. Your receiver has preamp outputs for the front left and right channels. Installing an amp to power them will help with the volume levels from all the speakers. We offer an OSD amp that is a perfect power match to the Klipsch speakers:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_452XMP300/item.html
A great explanation. I finally know what to look for when sizing up speakers, thx.
You're certainly welcome! If you need help choosing speakers, just let us know!
Thanks for the nice video :)
You're welcome! It's great to hear that you found it helpful! 🙂
One of the best information on internet 🔥
Thank you! 🥰
You say that when you double the listening distance from your speakers, the sound pressure level drops by 6db. This is only true when measured under anechoic conditions. In the real world, like a typical lounge or listening room, there boundary reinforcements. Reflective surfaces which reduce sound pressure level loss by as much as 3db!
the same applies to car audio?
Yes, the same applies to virtually all speakers. However, in home settings it is easier to control and maintain equal listening distances from each speaker. That isn't as ideal in cars.
There is more to it.. with higher watts you get Authority Control deep imaging sound stage opens instruments n vocals greatly improve and a whole lot more ! 😊
All I know about speakers is that you want to have the maximum power of the amp be lower than the maximum wattage of the speaker so the speaker doesn’t blow up. I’m basing all of this on a guitar amp context.
Why my speaker turn on but does not connect to Bluetooth or anything the 4000 professional
I have 2 x 12" woofer rated for 300W continues and 600W peak with sensitivity 92dB (+/-2), impedance of 8 Ohms, resonance freq 25Hz (+/-20%), freq range f20>>3kHz.
Can someone tell me, how do I select mid-range and tweeter for my woofer?.
I want to build a decent 3 way speaker system for my home use.
Hi Keith, sounds like you're working on a fun project! If you can find a copy, The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook is a helpful guide for custom speaker building: www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc921/p_224BKAA60/The-Loudspeaker-Design-Cookbook.html
@@crutchfield thanks for the reply. I found that book on amazon, it was $49.97. But unfortunately I'm not living in USA, my country is Sri Lanka. Amazon does ship this book to Sri Lanka but shipping fee is $49.96, so the total is $99.93 (almost $100). That'll cost me around 35,720LKR, that's way too much.
I should probably do more research and figure it out by my self.
Excellent video BUT we need to translate all this into specific amplifier/ speaker combinations.
We can help you choose the best match. Do you have specific speakers in mind?
is 145 wpc receiver to 85w speakers at 6 ohms healthy
No, you want to stay between 7-100% of your speakers RMS rating.
70-100%**
What about 30w to 100 maximum?
Will audyssey configure my system for me?
Audyssey is a fantastic speaker calibration system--it's worth spending the time and following all the steps on the screen. It makes a big difference!
Thanks
You're welcome! Are you working on a new system currently?
Can somebody help me? I have 4000watts samsung giga sound system but amp goes bad, can somebody help me to chose a new amplifier. Thank in advance
We have advisors that can help! Here's how to reach us to get started finding an amp that will work with the speakers and the rest of your gear:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc227/support/ContactUs.aspx
GET A CAMBRIDGE AMP OR RECEIVER MODEL -AXR-1OO
what could happen when i use 1000watts speakers from 900 watts power supply?
If you have an amp that's outputting 900 watts and speakers that can handle 1000 watts that will work well. The amp should be able to drive those speakers pretty well. They key is not overpowering the speakers, so this should work just fine.
If my math is correct, you should get around 400 decibels out of that.
Ok so how does this translate to 70 watts amps?
Are you attempting to calculate the SPL of a 90dB sensitive speaker at 1-meter from your listening position when powered with 70-watts?
@@crutchfield I mean... I loved the explanation. But amps are 50... 70... 100... 300 watts. So it's difficult for me to understand how to choose the right amp for my speakers.
Would you like help choosing an amp?
if my amp gives 45 watts at 8ohm to a speaker that is rated for 8ohm and 97db can my amp run the speaker at around 90db all day with no problem???
Yes it Will. If your speaker is 97dB sensitivity, your speakers can play 97dB with 1 watt. You will easily play that all they long. If you find out how much it can play that’s for 8 hours. So let’s say your 97dB sensitivity speakers they can with the 45 watt amp play 109-112dB all they long. I would not try it out, but it can.
The sensitivity ratings are given (usually) for 1 watt of power with the dB measured 1 meter away. If you give a 97dB speaker 45 watts of power, you will be roughly at around 112-113dB at 1 meter from the speaker. A 94dB volume level would be heard from around 4 meters away from the speakers.
Great video but I still have one question, is there a specific frequency speaker sensitivity is measured at?
There is and that is often referred to as the frequency range for the speaker which is also found in a speakers specifications
Also each extra speaker you add outputing same signal increases decibel output by 3.
There are some power calculators online just for this.
Hi Rob!
Thanks, I thought that I had to buy another more powerful amp.
For your home system, 20 watts may be enough, if you have very efficient speakers, and don't listen with the walls shaking.
Hello Sir
I Have 120 Watts Amplifier.
Can I Use Total 170 Watts Speakers To The Board? Any Problem For Amplifier? And I Decided To Using With Cooling Fan? Any Problem?
2 Speakers = 120Watts
2 Speakers = 50Watts
Hi Ramakrishna,
In order to ensure we provide you with correct and precise information, please reach out to us by phone or online chat.
We will need to gather as much model information on the products you are using, to be sure everything is a good match.
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYTVc164/contact
all sensitivity ratings are not measured the same throughout manufactures. Klipsche, for example, uses boundary gain in their testing. basically they cheat.
Why don’t all speaker manufacturers all just make high sensitivity speakers then? What’s the advantage of low sensitivity and is it actually audible to humans if there is an advantage in measurement terms?
So the higher the db rating of a speaker,the lower the power needed to achieve a targeted db level
You got it. The higher the sensitivity rating is, the more efficient the speaker is.
...all the power.
i think your math is wrong. if a 93db speaker hits 87db @ 4m and 4w - then you’ll need to add 4x the W (16w in total) on an 87db speaker…
We are using a 90db sensitivity in our example when we started discussing the distance factor and how that impacts db's
.
The good news is that you are correct! An 87 db speaker does need 16 watts for people to hear its audio at 87 db level when 4m away.
Great 👍