Is 15W per channel enough for S10 & S15 speakers

herrstig
herrstig Posts: 2
in Speakers
I have a desktop stereo system that has 15W per channel, 2x. I'm looking to upgrade speakers and want to buy either PA S10 or S15 speakers. Will both of these speakers work with a 15W system? The web pages states both S10 & S15 speakers need 20W-100W power. I'm using these speakers as desktop speakers for my home office. Suggestions on which set of speakers to buy. Thanks in advance.
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Answers

  • TopperDude
    TopperDude Posts: 166
    stick with the S15, i find that easier to power.

    If this is for background music for your small office, i believe you should be fine.
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,124
    Can you share the model of the receiver or integrated that you're using to power the speakers? At 15w, something vintage-y will perform differently than something modern.

    What is the planned use, audio wise? General computer audio, or are you planning a system with performance expectations?

    For something full and robust, you will probably want to bring in a sub. If not, then the S15s. If general computer audio just for sound with no concern for fuller range, and not using a vintage-y receiver, I'd go with S10s of these options. You might also consider a small 2.1 computer speaker set.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,901
    edited May 2020
    Please understand: I speak with zero experience on this particular topic, but not without perspective! ;)

    These little Polks are modern small loudspeakers, but (atypically for smaller speakers in the 21st Century) their nominal specifications (for the S15: 88 dB sensitivity and 8 ohm nominal impedance, per Crutchfield's site) suggest they might do OK with a lower-powered amplifier. This being said, they won't be at their best with most such amplifiers (the paradox of small speakers -- they generally need more, often much more, amplifier capability than large loudspeakers, all else being equal). They may be very satisfactory, e.g., for nearfield use (desktop 'monitors') or in a small room, or with small-scale music ("little girl with guitar music, as Tom Brennan memorably characterized it!).

    The other question, of course, is how realistic those specs might be. Will they really do 88 dB SPL at 1 meter with 1 watt input power, and how "easy" or "hard" of a nominal 8 ohm load are they? Really only one way to find out. :)

    I do note that the S15s are currently 174 smackers a pair -- which seems like a pretty good deal.

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  • herrstig
    herrstig Posts: 2
    Thanks everyone. Mhardy, the sale price was driving my purchase. The set I currently have is an old JVC FS-5000. Looking for a decent amp in the $100-$200 range. Was thinking of upgrading to an AudioEngine N22 amp. What do you think? Suggestions for similar type amps? Thanks again.
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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,092
    Why not go with powered monitors I have this ones as my desktop speakers and sound great.
    https://www.kantoaudio.com/powered-speakers/yu6/

    Cheers
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