|   how important that all channels are = wattage? | cd
Mar 22, 2001 12:25 PM | | I'm setting up an HT system of seperates. How important is it that all channels in the system be of equal wattage? I've heard that it doesn't matter much but if there's a difference, say 120w to the front and only 80w to rears and center, won't the sound of the system be a little off? Even if levels are set equal it seems like the dynamics of the lower wattage channels wouldn't be on par with the higher channels. Or, don't dynamics really come into play in the center and rear channels?
any opinions! |
| re: how important that all channels are = wattage? | SoundsGood
Mar 22, 2001 12:49 PM | | of course it is best if the front 3 are equal but i have heard unequal systems that sound very good. On thing to consider is the reserve power of the amp. The 80w amp might peak at the same wattage rating as the 120w amp. which brings me to something else. There is no standard in practice for measuring wattage. so that 80w from one manufacturer might be rated 120 by another manufacturer. you didnt say if they were made by the same manufacture.
The thing I would really be careful about is the tonal quality of the amps. If one is bright and one is warm, you would not get a smooth pan.
Bottom line: If the sound characteristics are the same you should be fine. |
| re: how important that all channels are = wattage? | penguin
Mar 22, 2001 1:08 PM | | One reason for the difference in wattage is that some people use satellites for rears. |
| re: how important that all channels are = wattage? | HTguy
Mar 22, 2001 1:48 PM | | Wattage does not need to match, do your speaker sensitivity ratings match? That means the same thing as amp power. A 200 wpc amp will drive a 86 db speaker to the same levels that a 100 wpc amp will drive a 89 db rated speaker. Amp power/speaker sensitivity together determine the output levels. They don't have to match exactly as your pre/pro or reciever should help balance levels. I would recommend that the amps be from the same manufacturer though. I have a Classe Ca-200 ( 200 wpc) driving my mains mostly for music and I have a Classe CAV-75 bridged to (3 X 150 wpc) for center and surrounds. I think it works fine, the rears really don't require much power. |
| re: You will never use 80 actual watts... | Ace W.
Mar 24, 2001 2:42 PM | | 80w is much more power than you think. Just because a receiver claims 80w doesn't mean it will put out 80w for more than a clipped peak. If the 80w is truly and conservatively rated you could have 80wx5 without ever even nearing audible distortion before your ears gave out. Even if you only had 25w to the rears and 45w to each front I doubt you would notice any lack of power at normal levels. Assuming you are using a receiver thats about all the power you could expect from a 120wx3 + 80wx2 unit driving all 5 channels simultaneously.
Actually receivers that don't have equal power to all 5 channels (substanstial differences between fronts and rears) are usually older ones from several years ago and are actually superior. They use a seperate power rail for the rears meaning you always get rated power to the fronts. This actually means more power than a completely equally rated receiver which has only a single rail for all 5 channels (very bad). If you see one of these units and can't afford seperates you should take it over the new completely equal units. The new units claiming ratings such as 100wx5 are really rated with only 1 channel driven and/or driven well into clipping. Sony, Technics, and other such receivers should be avoided at all costs. |
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