receiver & speaker compatibility? [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

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Alex55
08-01-2007, 06:49 PM
Is it safe to match a 130 watt receiver with 125 watt speakers?

Mr Peabody
08-01-2007, 07:59 PM
That would be perfectly fine. Just be sure not to turn your receiver so loud that it clips ( sound becomes distorted or begins not to sound clear ), this is good advice no matter the wattage match. More speakers are actually blown by under powering them opposed to over powering them. Most speakers are fine to a point as long as they receive a clean signal. You can blow a 200 watt speaker with a 50 watt receiver by turning it up to the point it begins to send the speaker a clipped signal.

Granted most speakers aren't built like Dynaudio but I drive a pair of Audience 60's rated at 150 watt continuous with a 250 watt Krell integrated.

At some point you will come to realize that specs aren't very reliable and you just have to use your equipment with common sense.

Alex55
08-02-2007, 02:40 AM
MrP
Thanks for the info.

bfalls
08-02-2007, 05:12 AM
I agree with MR. Peabody, specs aren't very reliable, but they do get you in the "ball-park". You still need to look at the specs or you can get yourself in trouble. In general there shouldn't be a problem, especially at lower volumes, but if the speaker is a difficult load (low efficiency <85db, or load rating < 6ohm) driving it loud could cause damage to speaker, receiver, or both. Always try to match your components and buy good quality. For example, driving a 4ohm speaker with an entry-level receiver rated @ 40W @ 8ohms to room-filling levels wouldn't be the best choice. It's better to have too much power and not need it, than need it and not have it.