[Resident Audiophiles] How much power do you really need?

ChandlerH

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I'm looking into getting a pair of used Paradigm speakers ..monitor 9's or maybe 3seMk3's and either a used receiver or a new 2 channel receiver. Now up until now, the only stereos I've had have been a Sony and Aiwa bookshelf system.

So I'm learning about impedance, the range of frequencies and all that but my question is essentially: how much power do you really need?

Here's my thinking..

Let's say the speakers have a sensitivity of 94 dB and the listening distance averages in between 2-4 meters. I would say that there would be a dB dissipation of around 15 dB (lose 6dB for every doubling of distance).

The speakers would have to put out about 100dB to hit a measurement of 85 dB at the listening distance (with the loss of 15dB). With a sensitivity of 94 db, 2 W would be 97 and 4 W 100 (double power for every 3dB). Double this for inefficiency and you're at 8 W to hit 85 dB at 3 meters.

So with peaks and all that, how would a quality receiver with strong ratings not be able to handle these speakers at 65 watts per channel?

And one more question, when people say "these speakers require a lot of power to really open up, despite their high sensitivity" are they just totally talking out their ass?
 
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