Expert: Cleggsan - 7/30/2009

Question
Hi, I have a h/k stereo receiver 80wpc. I am currently running a set of klipsch reference speakers rated at 100w continuous power with a sensitivity rating of 95db. I would like to add another set of klipsch speakers; Icons, that are rated at 50w and a sensitivity rating of 93db. Does my h/k have enough power to drive both sets efficiently? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
You need to look at the proper hookup wiring diagrams for your system at this (or other) websites:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ugLrwuLmDOb/learn/learningcenter/car/subwoofers_wir...

It will not be a question of power, but of matching impedance loading on the amplifier.  You must not let the speaker impedance load go below the impedance rating of the receiver. If you do, the amplifier will be compromised.

The sensitivity difference between the two speaker systems is 2db which is not much and they will sound nearly the same output level, so that will not be a big problem.

Power ratings on speakers is not much of an important specification; rather it is a sort of meaningless figure used in marketing, but not much value in a purely technical sense because there are no commonly accepted standards on how to measure and how rate speakers.

Hope this helps,
C