Generally, when purchasing an audio system, the principle of high power output is followed. The higher the amplifier's output power, the stronger its ability to drive speakers. The amplifier's power should be greater than the speaker's rated power. If the selected power is too low, it is easy to burn out during long-term use at high power output, and it will also lead to poor sound quality and distortion.
The amplifier's power should be comparable to the speaker's rated power. It is crucial to maintain distortion-free sound. While an underpowered amplifier may seem to protect speaker units, this is not the case. Insufficient power can easily cause overload clipping, generating numerous harmonics and burning out the tweeter. It is generally recommended that the amplifier's power be 1.5 times that of the speakers, and for bass components, it should ideally exceed 1.5 times to achieve sufficient power. For demanding playback environments, the amplifier's power should be at least twice that of the speakers.
To achieve high-fidelity listening, the rated power should be determined based on the optimal listening sound pressure level. We often experience this: at low volumes, the sound is weak, thin, lacks dynamics, is dull, lacks warmth, and has poor low-frequency response and fullness; the sound seems trapped inside. At appropriate volumes, the sound is natural, clear, round, mellow, full, powerful, and has good dynamics. However, at excessive volumes, the sound becomes harsh, rough, and piercing. Therefore, the sound pressure level (SPL) is closely related to sound quality. It is recommended that the SPL in the listening area be ideally 80-85 dB (A-weighted). We can calculate the rated power of the speakers and amplifiers based on the distance from the listening area to the speakers and the speaker's sensitivity.
The margin required for the system's average and maximum SPL depends on the content being played and the environment. A minimum of 10 dB is recommended, while for modern pop and rock music, a 20-25 dB margin is needed to ensure the safe and stable operation of the audio system.