Amp power ratings & speaker impedence

[admin_exported]

Many of the amp manufacturers quote a particular power rating at a particular ohms rating these days but when you get the manual, there is far more info about different power ratings at different ohms ratings.

Is this just for marketing? The Pioneer SC-LX81/71 seem to only specify 6 ohms but my current speakers are 8 ohms. I am assuming that they'll be OK with these amps, it just means I'll get slightly less power than advertised?

 

[Sc00bied00]

Taken from the manual for the LX-81/71, info provides power ratings based on a 6 and 8 ohm loading. Not all speakers are made and rated at 8 ohms therefore the amp needs to be able to handle the difference between a variety of speakers. There may also be a difference in the sound level for the same volume setting on the amp between 6 and 8 ohm speakers. A 6ohm speaker requires more from the amp than an 8ohm i.e 6ohm is harder to drive. How powerful the amp is, is not the be all and end all, valve amps carefully matched to the speakers were more than capable of proving adequate power to drive them even with 20watts or less per channel. The amp is well capable and it's all about pairing with the right speakers to suit you. If I'm wrong, someone most likely point it out and keep you right - cheers sc00bie

Amplifier Section


Multi channel simultaneous power output (1 kHz, 1 %, 8 O)

7ch total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700 W (LX81), 630 W(LX71)

Continuous Power Output (Multichannel)

(DIN 1 kHz, THD 1 %, 6 O)

Front. . . . . . . 190 W + 190 W (LX81), 180 W + 180 W (LX71)

Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 W (LX81), 180 W (LX71)

Surround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 W + 190 W (LX81) 180 W + 180 W (LX71)

Surround back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 W + 190 W (LX81) 180 W + 180 W (LX71)

(DIN 1 kHz, THD 1 %, 8 O)

Front. . . . . . . 160 W + 160 W (LX81), 150 W + 150 W (LX71)

Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 W (LX81), 150 W (LX71)

Surround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 W + 160 W (LX81) 150 W + 150 W (LX71)

Surround back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 W + 160 W (LX81) 150 W + 150 W (LX71)

Total harmonic distortion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.05 %

(20 Hz to 20 kHz, 130 W, 8 O)

Rated Power Output - Stereo (20 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.09 %, 8 O). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 W+140 W

The above specifications are applicable when the power supply is 230 V.