Well done guys, we should add this to the "Learn" section!!!

I would add a few points. 25 dB peaks in movies probably never happens, I dont' think any DD or DTS studio mix would allow that, even good amps would struggle with this. I remember reading somewhere that most loud peaks are usually in the 12 to 15 dB range...that's a good spike.

Spuppy517...did you know that to double the loudness, you need about 10 times the number of watts? As in 100 watts is only twice as loud as 10 watts of current? More fun with logarithms

Most crappy mass market receivers (whatever mass market means, NAD and H/K are mass market too, just at lower volumes) will have instantaneous peak power capabilities above their power ratings that they can deliver for peaks.

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Holl...1/ratevsac.htm

This link shows some "real power ratings" with all 5 or 6 or 7 channels driven...Notice how the entry level, base model 75 wpc Yamaha's, for example, will still deliver over 30 WPC to all 6 channels simultaneously. That's still pretty freakin loud and more than enough power for most people, especially considering the efficiency of the speakers that most buyers of these receivers would own.

As you move up the ladder, ya gets even more.

Now look at some of the Kenwoods, or Sonys...there's more of a stretch from stated specs to actual ratings.

In your case, a 70 wpc H/K is probably going to be absolutely fine, especially if it really pumps out 74 watts to all 5 channels simultaneously. Just hope you have better luck with yours than I had with mine.