Max speaker power

[chunky70]

Why do speaker manufacturers always quote a max power handling? I run 360 watts into my speakers which are rated at only 150 watts and they handle it no problem,in fact they sound utterly fab! In my experiance speakers always sound better with lots of watts. I mean surely you can run a 10 watt speaker with a 1000 watt amp with no probs? Just wondering that's all.

 

[CnoEvil]

Why do speaker manufacturers always quote a max power handling?

Probably to stop 1000w amps being matched with 10w speakers. 😉

Speaker manufacturors will always have a bit of "built in" head room for safety.

I would also advise caution...don't give them "full welly"....you wouldn't be the first person on here, to blow a tweeter/woofer.

 

[plastic penguin]

In a domestic set-up, no disrespect to the OP, the thread has no relevence. I've run my old Wharfedales, rated at 40 RMS and 65 watts max, on a 200 watt amp before and no problems at all. The only problems you may face is the reverse: speakers at 200 watts and an amp at 40.

 

[chunky70]

So the max rating means nothing then!

 

[plastic penguin]

So the max rating means nothing then!

Nope - unless you are one of the lucky [or unlucky] few that has the opportunity to crank up the amp to the max and distortion kicks in.

 

[MattSPL]

It would be the speakers suggested safe maximum wattage input.

Doesn't mean much though, just a guideline.

Too little power and you risk clipping the amplifier and damaging a tweeter.
Too much power and you blow the tweeter or woofer(usually the woofer if its bass heavy music).

I used to run a pair of 150 watt, 8ohm speakers on an integrated amp rated at 150w/ch @ 8ohm.
I was playing dance music at silly volume levels, and the 2 bass/mid unit voice coils melted.

 

[chunky70]

I find that 10 o'clock on the dial is more than enough! Yes i do watch the volume particularly with bass heavy stuff. I do like the sound that lots of watts gives, my speakers are in a vice like grip, very well controlled.

 

[MattSPL]

I find that 10 o'clock on the dial is more than enough! Yes i do watch the volume particularly with bass heavy stuff. I do like the sound that lots of watts gives, my speakers are in a vice like grip, very well controlled.

Yes, perfect control over the speaker is good