Does higher watts per channel Improve Sound Quality?

treitz3

Yes and no. Damn, can't you guys ever read what's been posted on the forum at least 500 times?

*bangs head*

txcoastal1

Gonzonator wrote: »

I wish my search ended at $90, my wife is about to divorce me because of the audio purchases I have made within the last couple years lol. My main set up is where I have invested some real $$, but I just wanted small set up in the sun room for when I'm out back trying to get lost. I figured on buying stuff second hand to save a couple dollars.

Now you just tell her when your buying it second hand it's like her coming home with that sale item that was 50% off:biggrin:....And all us guys and girls at CP approve:eek:

F1nut

inspiredsports wrote: »

There's lots of confusion about this, but just look at what 1 Watt can do at 3-4 meters where many of us sit, and remember, these measurments are for 1 channel. My 50 WPC (it has been modded) tube amp can deliver a clean, ear-bleeding 105db to my Exotech SPL meter at my listening position about 11 feet back.

I rarely listen over 80 db so the FIRST WATT is really what's doing the heavy lifting.

That chart is wrong. 116db would be 256 watts, 119dB would be 512 watts. Just saying.

inspiredsports

Thanks Jesse,

I had skipped the 512 watt column and mislabeled the 256 watt as the 512.

I've repaired my image and republished it so it should be accurate and good to go now.

Greg

Ron Temple

Face wrote: »

1db is noticeable and is what the system is based on.

Yes it is, but 3dbs is when your brain stands up and says "that's louder".

JimAckley

Ron Temple wrote: »

No, 3db is what is usually called noticable. 10dbs is doubling the volume and costs 10x the power...20db costs 100x. That's why dynamic peaks need headroom. You can operate in the 1 to 5 watt zone until a peak hits, then you're clipping...might only be for a second, but it happens.

It's actually 3 dB = double the power. Check your physics my friend.

I cant find my notes, but if I remember correctly, you are right about the 10 dB = a doubliing of volume.

JimAckley

Actually we are both right. Found my notes I go hush now

McLoki

A better quality amp sounds better. Within a given amp line, the higher end models typically have the same or more watts than the lower end of that amp line.

That is not to say a 50 watt krell KSA is a lower model than a 200 watt soundscraftsman amp. 50 watt krell KSA is a lower model than a 200 watt krell ksa though.

Watts are just one easily defined thing that can be marketed with amps. What does change the sound are things like Freq. Response, Dynamic headroom, current (typically rated as peak), hum/noise, damping factor, amp type (A, AB, D, Tube, Solid State, etc.), watts (although typically only when you don't have enough for current volume/music peaks), etc.

There is no one spec you can look at and say if these are the same, the amps are the same - just like you cannot say 2 speakers sound the same just because they both have a 8" woofer, or because one speaker has an 8" woofer and one has a 12" woofer - you know what one sounds better without listening to it. There are lots of other factors that come into play.

Michael

themainviking

Different brand amps are apples and oranges in measurement of power. A meter will give a better idea of what is being pumped out, and personal listening is what is really important. Liking how your system sounds is much more important than how loud it can get. The Marantz may measure power differently or not as honestly as your present amp.

I have a NAD which delivers 70WPC and I have a Pioneer which delivers 140WPC.

The NAD has it all over the Pioneer in everything except total loudness. I run four large speakers 20 to 275 Watt capability, in addition to a center and a powered sub, and with the NAD, they are louder than anyone could stand them, and if I take the systems outside, I can crank the Pioneer up to a bit more volume than the NAD, but it begins to distort. NAD's measurement of true power is more trustworthy than Pioneers, in my opinion, as the NAD never seems to get to the point where it distorts, outside. Inside, they both distort at much less volume, which is probably a result of the rooms less than perfect acoustics. The NAD has a warmer, less sharp sound also, which probably contributes to the lesser tendency to distort. As I only know what I like, and do not know all this stuff about clipping and scientific information, I can only go with my ears and a simple meter for balance. I will not buy anything audio without listening to it - preferrably in the room it will be set up in.

If the person selling the Marantz will let you try it at home, maybe for an added ten bucks to the price, then do that. If you like it better, buy it.

mhardy6647

JimAckley wrote: »

It's actually 3 dB = double the power. Check your physics my friend.

I cant find my notes, but if I remember correctly, you are right about the 10 dB = a doubliing of volume.

10 dB = 1 Bel = 2 fold increase in perceived loudness (a 10 dB increase takes 10 times the power); 20 dB = 2 Bel = 4 fold increase in loudness/ 100 fold increase in power.

The logarithmic Bel scale (named after the phone guy, Alexander Graham Bell) reflects the phenomenal dynamic range of human hearing. About 140 dB (or 14 orders of magnitude from the softest to loudest sounds we can hear and process).


http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/noise/images/common_sounds.gif

JimAckley

Yeah, I went back and corrected myself at 3 am.

JimAckley wrote: »

Actually we are both right. Found my notes I go hush now

mhardy6647

I don't think anyone posted this link in response to the OP. He (or she) may find it interesting. Or maybe not.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112785

Gottaheardat

Here's what I just experienced this week. I've had my LSi9's for 8 years using a JVC rx d702 receiver. Just purchased an Onkyo TX NR708. The sound quality got a little better with the Onkyo. Finally bit the bullet and got a separate amplifier. Emotiva UPA7 185 watts @ 4 ohms. The sound is totally awesome and beyond what I could have ever imagined. I was missing so much detail, clarity and up front imaging. I hear every detail now. Totally awesome. That's my 2 cents