Old speakers' power rating

[Al ears]

Yes, I'm referring to passive speakers.

As for the examples - speakers' product pages and HiFi enthusiast websites.

PRO-X 6.5" Mid-Range Bullet Loudspeaker 250 Watts Rms 4-Ohm

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What’s the Difference Between RMS and Peak Watts?

Understanding root mean square (RMS) and peak power ratings is essential for building a high-performance entertainment system. Learn what these power-handling terms mean to make...

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As such it is the power handling ability of a single transducer.
Given a speaker with multiple drivers quoting a RMS figure for the speaker itself is meaningless so a figure for maximum power recommendation is normally quoted.

 

[arkanoid]

As such it is the power handling ability of a single transducer.
Given a speaker with multiple drivers quoting a RMS figure for the speaker itself is meaningless so a figure for maximum power recommendation is normally quoted.

I'm not saying that the RMS is used correctly or makes sense in the example, but it is used.

I can provide a long list of examples with floor-standing and bookshelf passive speakers' product pages but in Polish. Maybe here it's more common to use RMS this way than in English-speaking countries.

Anyway, this is off-topic at his point.

 

[Gray]

It would say that's rather obvious

With respect, I have to say that your questions and responses make you come across as a unique combination of expert and novice.

People here have tried to give advice.

You're after an amp for your speakers - but have given no real clue as to what your source(s) might be.

As @nopiano has stated, you will not need 50 watts as a minimum - up to you whether you believe him.

Seriously, good luck with finding what you're after - once you know what it is 👍

 

[arkanoid]

With respect, I have to say that your questions and responses make you come across as a unique combination of expert and novice.

People here have tried to give advice.

You're after an amp for your speakers - but have given no real clue as to what your source(s) might be.

With respect, I mentioned at the beginning that I'm thinking about getting an amp for my speakers, but I didn't ask specifically what the amp should be.

Originally I asked to help me decode the speakers' rated power. That's the only reason for this topic.
Some responses were wandering around all over the place though and the amp and speakers' recommendations started appearing.

The expert / novice image is subjective (I guess the just-created forum account doesn't help).
Some responses assume that I know nothing and / or that I repeat some fairytales, just so that later other replies agree with my stances / concerns (clipping and matching the speaker wattage with the amp wattage).

I'm grateful for advice on the topic and the general goodwill.
The longer this thread goes it just shows that people have different experiences and contradictory opinions though, and there is no one objective truth / science (and the scale of disparities is kind of surprising).

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi there,

I'm hoping that someone would help me decode the specs of my speakers.

For a very long time, I have had an old Panasonic SC-AK5 system.
The CD / Tape / Radio / Amp unit was repaired once around 10 years ago but it looks like the issue is back.

I'm thinking about keeping the speakers and buying a new amp.
However, I have an issue with determining how much actual rated power the speakers have.

The manual (and speaker stickers) says:

• 100W (MUSIC)
• 50W (DIN)
• 6 Ohm (impedance)
• 85dB / W (sound pressure level)

The amplifier specs are:

• 2 x 30W - 1 kHz continuous power output both channels driven
• 2 x 40W RMS

So what is the RMS for these speakers?
Is the MUSIC here the speakers' RMS?
Or is it peak power and the DIN rating value should be treated here as RMS?

The amp wattage is also confusing since it looks like it's underpowered against the speakers.

Thanks!

I can see there are lots of answers so this has probably already been answered. Rather than go through them all I will just give my response, hopefully it won't contradict anyone else!

If you are thinking of getting a new amp, don't get too get too hung up on it. If you have a more powerful amp you just won't turn the volume up too high. chances are, in a normal size room it will be uncomeatable to listen to before you damage the speakers.

As for the ratings the 100W (Music) will be the most the speakers can handle for a short time, the RMS will be lower. DIN is the same thing, just using a different measure like using Celsius or Fahrenheit to measure temperature.

The amp isn't underpowered against the speakers, as mentioned the 100W is a theoretical peak. you are never going to get there. Your car may di 150mph, but unless you live in Germany you are unlikely to ever get close to that! As well as peak power some manufactures will give a recommendation for amp pairing. click on the link below, and scroll down just below the photographs, you will see the Power Handling 100 W and the
Recommended Amp Power: 25 - 130 Watts (8ohms). This is about what you would expect.

If you are looking for a new amp something with 30 to 55W will be all you need. Most budget class A/B amps from the past 25 years will fall into this range.

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[Fandango Andy]

Given the low sensitivity (85dB) 50W for a new amp seems like a safe minimum.

If you are keeping the same speakers 50W is the more than enough power for a new amp.