400 watts for Studio 100?

[ARAM]

Is 400 watts (8 ohms) too much for Paradigm Studio 100?/Can that damage the speakers?Any ideas????

[bturk667]

Is 400 watts (8 ohms) too much for Paradigm Studio 100?/Can that damage the speakers?Any ideas????

I doubt that you'll clip the amp.

[Woochifer]

As long as you're not trying to go over 100 db in a 20,000 square foot room, you'll be fine. In an average living room, the sound levels on the Studio 100 will be intolerably loud well before those speakers even get up to 10 watts.

[Pat D]

Is 400 watts (8 ohms) too much for Paradigm Studio 100?/Can that damage the speakers?Any ideas????

There is no particular reason why a 400 watt amplifier should damage them. The Paradigm site lists the Suitable Amplifier Power Range as 15-350 watts, and 400 watts is not that far from that.

I am reasonably sure that I could damage the Studio 100 and most other speakers with a lot less power than that if I wanted to. It depends on how is used.

It is hard to tell just why you ask the question. The power consumption of a speaker depends on how loud it is played.

[ARAM]

the reason for 400 watts is..I was thinking of giving 400 watts to Studio 100..(bridging the amps),,would it get the sound better??the amp now gives 200 (8 ohms)..
and no I don't play it too loud..

[Jimmy C]

...I wouldn't bother. Bridging is most beneficial for speakers with low sensitivity - the Paradigms are easy to drive.

If you already have the matching amp, give it a try! If this requires a purchase, I would pass.

[bturk667]

the reason for 400 watts is..I was thinking of giving 400 watts to Studio 100..(bridging the amps),,would it get the sound better??the amp now gives 200 (8 ohms)..
and no I don't play it too loud..

Better sound? What do you mean by better sound. The sound I'm sure would be different. This however, does not necessarily mean a better sound. Louder is one thing you would get. So, since you don't play your music loud, I see reason for bridging your amp.

[ARAM]

You might be right bturk667..

[RGA]

You might be right bturk667..

400 watts will give you a 3db gain in volume over 200 watts. But because the speaker can only handle 350(and I doubt continouously), then you won't get a 3db gain in volume. And 3db is barely audible.

Unless the distortion is improved etc you may be able to listen louder clearer. I have had 70 watt amps that I could play at louder levels and much clearer than my top of the line Pioneer Elte receiver that had a more impressive spec sheet and rated at 125watts.

My experience is obviously not one of a kind or there would be no such things as a separate Power amp.

If it is clean and 200 watts, then I doubt you'd ever need more than that for home use for 99.99999% of all speakers sold today.

If it's a good amp the 25-30 watts would be plenty for more than 90% of current speakers(ie: since 1990) for home listening.

The 100 is a relatively easy speaker to drive but I believe it can run to around 3ohms. It is possible, if this is the case, that at high levels an amp not geared for that impedence could run into trouble sound wise on an extended note at that frequency. Usually in the bass which is where my speakers likely groaned at my Receiver.

[RayBan]

I don't believe you would have any problems connecting a 400 watt amp to the 100s. My reasoning is I seriously doubt youwould turn the equipment up loud enough to damage them. With that being said I would go directly to the source - Paradigm for the answer.