Rated WPC

Pauly

Now i know enough about WPC to know that 65 WPC from my Entry level Onkyo will sound better than 100 WPC coming from say a Kenwood (Entry Level Receiver 300.00 or so) But is it just the equip that they use in the guts on the hardware that make this? Are companies using outside or inside sources to rate it?Knowing that you wont every get 100 WPC from that Kenwood to your speaker without a blow out or it just sounding like complete shizit. I mean are these Companies just saying "100 WPC" as a selling factor (Marketing) for the "uneducated"? I'm just trying to get as much input as i can since i am in the process of upgrading. I know actually getting it home hooking it up and listening and tinkering will be the real deciding factor, but i value your guys opinions. Not asking what i should get but whats amps deliver the "clean"power like Onkyo, H/K, Marantz and Denon? Are there others i might want to consider that are in this realm of quality?

Thanks

Spaz

Tour2ma

Originally posted by spasticpitbull
Now i know enough about WPC to know that 65 WPC from my Entry level Onkyo will sound better than 100 WPC coming from say a Kenwood (Entry Level Receiver 300.00 or so)

Not really the point... Sound quality is a function of many things and at normal output of a few watts the Kenwood will have more reserve power, and may be very competitive with the Onk. However, as you push the power build quality becomes more of a factor.

...is it just the equip that they use in the guts on the hardware that make this?

Component quality is certainly a factor, but so is design, design philosophy, target market and more.

Are companies using outside or inside sources to rate it?Knowing that you wont every get 100 WPC from that Kenwood to your speaker without a blow out or it just sounding like complete shizit. I mean are these Companies just saying "100 WPC" as a selling factor (Marketing) for the "uneducated"?

Companies have government guidelines for doing their own ratings, and the wiggle room they have had the last couple decades is much less than they had only "industry" guidelines, i.e., the old "ihf" rating system. They can't just say "100wpc", they have to measure it. So yes, that Kenwood will deliver 100 wpc under test conditions.
Question is at the rated continuous output: "what is the THD?", "how much headroom is avialble for transients?", etc. Still there are some games they play, especially in multi-channel amps (stereo rating vs all channels driven). And some shrink form 4 ohm ratings these days and have gone to 6 ohm as the "alternate" rating impedance.

Not asking what i should get but whats amps deliver the "clean"power like Onkyo, H/K, Marantz and Denon? Are there others i might want to consider that are in this realm of quality?

Rotel, B&K, Sunfire, Outlaw are all there or a step up.

aba4430

Team,
Check this link out for an insight into what matters as far as WPC goes:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/Files/14022.pdf

kingtut

Good info, Aba4430, especially about the "all channel driven" section. It confirms one of the previous posts where the Denon 3803 receiver was rated @ 110 wpc, but when all five channels driven simultaneously -- each channel only outputs 50w.:)

steveinaz

Another element that seperates the inexpensive amps from the pricier units is the quality of components used...sure, Amp A may have the same ratings as Amp B, but Amp B, because of its use of higher quality components, has a more listenable and articulate sound. Think of it like this (as an example):

A Dodge Intrepid and Mercedes Sedan. Similar HP ratings, similar 0-60mph times, similar room and amenities--BUT, the Mercedes has a certain quality and feel that the Dodge just can't match. Small changes, in and of themselves--but the cumulative effect of all the small additions make a killer end result.

Similar numbers, very different performance/build/price. As with everything, you will reach a point of diminishing returns for your dollar. I personally would never spend over $1500 on an amp. I just don't believe there's enough difference to justify any higher costs.