Recommended Power for Speakers

[prince_ell]

Hi, I own a Denon x2200w receiver which can deliver 95 (RMS) per channel at 8ohms. What is the most appropriate suggested power for tower speakers. I was reading somewhere that the music power handling of speakers should be atleast twice the receiver wattage. Is it safe to go with speakers with maximum wattage of 250W and Music power handling at 180W. Please advise.

 

[efernand1]

Hi,

Yes...ensure that SPL (sensitivity) levels are 88db and more to achieve optimal playback + punch.

 

[raghupb]

Hi, I own a Denon x2200w receiver which can deliver 95 (RMS) per channel at 8ohms. What is the most appropriate suggested power for tower speakers. I was reading somewhere that the music power handling of speakers should be atleast twice the receiver wattage. Is it safe to go with speakers with maximum wattage of 250W and Music power handling at 180W. Please advise.

Amp power ratings and speaker power ratings are quoted at max values.
Unless you have the habit of playing at very high volumes (ear bleed levels) you should do fine with 100-150W speaker for 95W amp.
I drive 120W (max) speakers from a 200W (max) amp. The amp will never run out of juice while maintaining a healthy SPL at listening position.

Cheers,
Raghu

 

[prince_ell]

Thanks Raghu.
Another doubt I have in mind is my living room is 10.6ft x 22ft. The speakers will be placed against the long wall. Will it appropriate to buy an Chorus 816 which is 2.5 way and 3 drivers as against an 826 which is 3 way and 4 drivers.

 

[MaSh]

Amp power ratings and speaker power ratings are quoted at max values.
Unless you have the habit of playing at very high volumes (ear bleed levels) you should do fine with 100-150W speaker for 95W amp.
I drive 120W (max) speakers from a 200W (max) amp. The amp will never run out of juice while maintaining a healthy SPL at listening position.

Cheers,
Raghu

Wow, it cant get better than that.

Hi, I own a Denon x2200w receiver which can deliver 95 (RMS) per channel at 8ohms. What is the most appropriate suggested power for tower speakers. I was reading somewhere that the music power handling of speakers should be atleast twice the receiver wattage. Is it safe to go with speakers with maximum wattage of 250W and Music power handling at 180W. Please advise.

In my opinion power rating specified by manufacturers is a bit skewed. Its better to take the impedance rating more seriously than power handling. 95 watts at 8ohms is more than sufficient for most speakers, unless you are driving really massive speakers with 10" bass driver(s), multiple 8" mid bass driver(s), tweeters and super tweeters.

MaSh

 

[raghupb]

Thanks Raghu.
Another doubt I have in mind is my living room is 10.6ft x 22ft. The speakers will be placed against the long wall. Will it appropriate to buy an Chorus 816 which is 2.5 way and 3 drivers as against an 826 which is 3 way and 4 drivers.

Your room dimensions are tricky. Kinda "damned if you do damned if you don't scenario"
Placement along the short wall will force you to leave space from side walls, thus reducing spacing between speakers.
Placement along long wall will reduce sidewall reflections but put speaker plane very close to listening position.

Assuming that long wall placement is what you will end up with, why towers?
Even front ported speakers, like Focal 800 series, will force you to have the speaker plane 2 feet from back wall.
A sofa against the opposite wall will eat up up to 3 feet.
Meaning your listening position is about 6-7 feet from speaker plane.
Towers in this scenario may be an overkill. Stand mounts may be able to deliver well enough in this scenario.

I have heard Focal 700 and 800 a few years ago with Denon. Not AVR but the IA range. Great combo.

Cheers,
Raghu