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Why has amplifier power become a big issue

Back in the day I drove my Advent speakers that were very inefficient with 30 watts per channel. Today I run Vandersteen 2 ce speakers which are more efficient then the old Advents with 50 watts per channel and way more current. By most this is underpowering the Vandersteens, what has changed?
digepix
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
As far as I know it's just trendy. It's like having the car that goes 400MPH though you drive it to work and the store.

It's also pretty wasteful unless you are using a high-efficiency amplifier.

Some speakers have been deliberately "juiced" to provide very low impedances. This makes them more critical of the amplifier, and audiophiles, lord knows why, think the speaker that only takes 1 of 3 amplifiers must be better and more exclusive. If you have one of these, then you definitely will need an amp with current to spare.

Is it worth listening to a big bad amplifier? Sure. However I would never let them talk you into upgrading if you don't hear the difference in your system.

Best,


Erik
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Looking at the measurements here:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-2ce-signature-ii-loudspeaker-measurements

I'd say that's a pretty amplifier friendly speaker. The impedance dropping into the deep bass may be helped by a stiff amp though nothing outrageous. I would imagine a number of good small amps would drive it very well such as the Parasound Halo A23. 125W/Ch and good with 4 Ohms.

Based on the measurements, this speaker by the way seems to have an impedance compensation network specifically to make it easy to drive even with modest powered tube amps.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
1,368 posts
 

Some of the sounds speakers make, such as a sharp whack on a drum, a firm pluck of a bass string, a loud voice or voices, the plink of a piano key (transients), can require lots of watts for a very short period to reproduce the leading edge of those sounds optimally.

A 50 watt amp may or may not be able to deliver the necessary power to reproduce them optimally, depending on the speaker and your listening tastes. If you are happy with the sound you’re getting from your system, you don’t need a more powerful amp.

Also there are a lot of speakers that are power hogs that don’t sound good unless driven by a powerful amp.

ebm
5,165 posts
 
Im using PASS 350.8 on Magico Q3 having all this power gives me better bass definition and weight. It also lets my amp run in class a much more giving an overall better sound.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Tomcy6 speaks truth. 
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