speaker system ratings image
murphy
I have speakers from an old stereo system but I have no documents about how many watts and what RMS they are capable of. Is there anyway to find this info using a multimeter or a similar device?
Answer
The ratings of speakers are the maximum allowable power to the speaker. There is no way to figure that out with a multimeter. If you can get the make and model number of the speakers you may be able to find the information on the web. But if there are no labels on the back of the speakers to tell you it will probably be hard to find out that information.
The ratings of speakers are the maximum allowable power to the speaker. There is no way to figure that out with a multimeter. If you can get the make and model number of the speakers you may be able to find the information on the web. But if there are no labels on the back of the speakers to tell you it will probably be hard to find out that information.
What kind of amplifier should i get for my 2X60W speaker and 100W subwoofer?
Yohan
i have 2 60W speakers and planning to get a 100W subwoofer.. So i want to know what kind of an amplifier should i get and of what watts should it be..
Not much of an electronic person..
Please be kind enough to help.
Thanks
Answer
Actually wattage is not relevant to much of anything. You don't choose components based on watts. If you want a certain amount of output then you choose a system capable of a particular SPL (Sound Pressure Level) in dB. The number of watts required to achieve this can vary dramatically depending on numerous other factors. Generally larger speakers are more efficient but not always. Large horn loaded commercial cinema speakers can be driven with just one watt and probably be louder than you want. Cheap plastic PC speakers may not play loud enough for you no matter how much power you put into them. So in order to make good suggestions for you we need different information. We really don't care much about the speakers power rating, it's for the most part meaningless. The "nominal power rating" of the individual drivers within the speaker system can be useful but a much more important factor is the speaker sensitivity.
What is it you are wanting to do? You mention only 2 speakers and a subwoofer. I assume your subwoofer is powered? Receivers typically have "pre-amp" output for the subwoofer so if your subwoofer is passive you will need an amplifier just for it in addition to the receiver. If you are not interested in surround you need to look for a stereo receiver with the ability to connect a powered subwoofer. A better idea would probably be to go ahead and get an Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) so you can add a center speaker and surrounds if you ever decide you want that. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MANR1403
Edit: I have to disagree with David E. Speaker power ratings are not so cut and dry. A "60 watt" speaker can be easily blown with less than half that if the amplifier is clipping hard enough. It can also handle 1000 watts if the burst is short enough. Most speakers are destroyed by amplifier clipping not by clean power. Choosing an amplifier rated for 80% of the speaker rating is not in any way a guarantee of not blowing the speakers. If you like to play it loud and especially if you like turning the bass up, speakers will survive longer connected to an amplifier with many times higher power rating than the speaker than connected to an amplifier 80% of the speaker rating. Heavy clipping of the smaller amplifier will melt them much faster than clean power that exceeds their rating by 2 or 3x. Both situations will destroy them but the 80% rated amplifier will destroy them faster given the same gain settings. That is the 80% is attempting to send the speakers 2x or 3x their rating but is being clipped at 80% of their rating.
I've seen this "80%" suggestion numerous times here on Yahoo and I don't know where it comes from but it is very bad advice.
mk
Actually wattage is not relevant to much of anything. You don't choose components based on watts. If you want a certain amount of output then you choose a system capable of a particular SPL (Sound Pressure Level) in dB. The number of watts required to achieve this can vary dramatically depending on numerous other factors. Generally larger speakers are more efficient but not always. Large horn loaded commercial cinema speakers can be driven with just one watt and probably be louder than you want. Cheap plastic PC speakers may not play loud enough for you no matter how much power you put into them. So in order to make good suggestions for you we need different information. We really don't care much about the speakers power rating, it's for the most part meaningless. The "nominal power rating" of the individual drivers within the speaker system can be useful but a much more important factor is the speaker sensitivity.
What is it you are wanting to do? You mention only 2 speakers and a subwoofer. I assume your subwoofer is powered? Receivers typically have "pre-amp" output for the subwoofer so if your subwoofer is passive you will need an amplifier just for it in addition to the receiver. If you are not interested in surround you need to look for a stereo receiver with the ability to connect a powered subwoofer. A better idea would probably be to go ahead and get an Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) so you can add a center speaker and surrounds if you ever decide you want that. http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MANR1403
Edit: I have to disagree with David E. Speaker power ratings are not so cut and dry. A "60 watt" speaker can be easily blown with less than half that if the amplifier is clipping hard enough. It can also handle 1000 watts if the burst is short enough. Most speakers are destroyed by amplifier clipping not by clean power. Choosing an amplifier rated for 80% of the speaker rating is not in any way a guarantee of not blowing the speakers. If you like to play it loud and especially if you like turning the bass up, speakers will survive longer connected to an amplifier with many times higher power rating than the speaker than connected to an amplifier 80% of the speaker rating. Heavy clipping of the smaller amplifier will melt them much faster than clean power that exceeds their rating by 2 or 3x. Both situations will destroy them but the 80% rated amplifier will destroy them faster given the same gain settings. That is the 80% is attempting to send the speakers 2x or 3x their rating but is being clipped at 80% of their rating.
I've seen this "80%" suggestion numerous times here on Yahoo and I don't know where it comes from but it is very bad advice.
mk
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Title Post: How do I find my speakers watt and rms rating?
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Author: Yukie
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Rating: 98% based on 989 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Yukie
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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