The difference between...

Willow
Willow Posts: 11,064
edited February 2005 in Electronics
Min. RMS Output Power
Main Ch.
80 W

and
Dynamic Power/Ch (8/6/4/2 ohms)
100/125/160/200

What is the difference between RMS and dynamic power?

Thanks
Post edited by Willow on
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2005
    think of rms as continous power, dynamic as peak power.

    So a speaker may be able handle 80 watts of continuous power, but can handle peaks of 200 watts, so it can handle 200 watts, but only for short periods of time...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    IF I remember correctly, RMS is calculated as 72% of the peak waveforms amplitude (power). Dynamic power is the maximum (non-sustained) output capability for short-term peak levels. RMS is wattage delivered continously, safely, within specified distortion levels.

    An anology:

    Think of it like a car. Your car may be capable of 120mph, but it will only hold that on flat roads, under ideal conditions (Dynamic power). But a 85mph, your car will run without strain under any conditions (RMS).
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited February 2005
    There is no such animal as RMS power, come on guys.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    In an "absolute" manner, you're absolutely right. "RMS Watts" is a flakey (incorrect) term at best. Unfortunately its all we have to work with in the audio world as some kind of comparison of output capability.

    Brand name quality, circuit topology and method are your best measurement for quality components.

    It's like discussing horse power on motorcycles. You'll never attain the ratings you see in the specs, because it's not real-world, rear-wheel HP.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    There is no such animal as RMS power, come on guys.

    Someone is living in the tube era... :D

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • bknauss
    bknauss Posts: 1,441
    edited February 2005
    Since there's no set of rules for measuring in the home audio world, here's the definitions for the car world:

    RMS (reffered to as "primary power output rating"... its more correct that way)- Measure the output power at 1% THD+N into a 4 ohm load.

    Dynamic power - Take a 1kHz signal, turn it "on" for 20ms, then turn it "off" for 480ms. "On" is +20dB compared to "off". "On" cannot exceed 1%THD+N. Measure the output power of "on" for your dynamic power.
    Brian Knauss
    ex-Electrical Engineer for Polk
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