Audio Systems/Safe wattage

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Expert: Steven L Smith - 2/25/2008


Question
Hello,

I have 2 speaker cabinets (JBL JRX115's) with a 250W (continuous) and 1000W (peak) rating. Can I safely drive them at 8ohms stereo by a power amp with a 775W per side (again, at 8ohms) rating?

Many thanks.

Answer
You can safely drive these speakers with that amp, as long as you keep the volume WAY down.  Your speakers can handle 250 Watts; if your amp is putting out 775 Watts, you will blow them if you're not REALLY careful and keep the volume down. The 1000 Watt peak rating is the maximum power the speakers can handle, but when a speaker manufacturer says "peak," they mean a peak of loudness that lasts less for a very short duration - usually less than a second.  You would be MUCH safer if you got a less powerful amplifier or a more robust set of speakers, especially if other people will be using the system, since they probably won't know its limitations and will jack the volume way up and destroy your speakers.

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Steven L Smith

Expertise

Comprehensive knowledge of technology specific to radio and television broadcast, professional audio equipment used in theaters, churches, and concert venues, as well as that used in small recording studios (both analogue and digital). Limited knowledge in home audio and consumer audio. General questions about the science and physics of sound are also fine. PLEASE No Car Audio Questions!.

Experience

Technical manager for radio and television stations in college, work in an audio production house for radio, television, and telephone audio programs, countless hours dabbling with electronics and other gadgets.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Music from Nazareth College of Rochester (2008)

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