Aquestion on matching surround speakers with amplifier

[Bruce Morrison]

I have a 5.1 speaker installation, but I'm looking to replace my surround speakers. My Denon receiver is rated at 130W per channel into 8 ohms. Most bookshelf speakers of the sort of physical size and price that I'm looking for have a "recommended" amplifier power range of 20W - 100W.

As these will be used only as surround speakers for use with DVDs and Blu-ray discs, is this sort of power handling capability OK for a receiver rated at 130W, or is there a risk of damaging the speakers? I play movies at a reasonable volume but not excessively loud - my volume setting on the receiver is typically between -8dB and +2dB.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

I have a 5.1 speaker installation, but I'm looking to replace my surround speakers. My Denon receiver is rated at 130W per channel into 8 ohms. Most bookshelf speakers of the sort of physical size and price that I'm looking for have a "recommended" amplifier power range of 20W - 100W.

As these will be used only as surround speakers for use with DVDs and Blu-ray discs, is this sort of power handling capability OK for a receiver rated at 130W, or is there a risk of damaging the speakers? I play movies at a reasonable volume but not excessively loud - my volume setting on the receiver is typically between -8dB and +2dB.

You are ok. It is better to have an amplifier that has reserve power and can provide the necessary power during peaks than an underpowered amplifier that runs into clipping problems.

You can damage any speaker with any amplifier if you are not careful and turn the volume to an excruciatingly loud level. If you do that, I will worry about your hearing more than your speakers. Speakers can be replaced. Unfortunately, god is not as generous as Wal-Mart and doesn't give you a refund on your ears.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

You are ok. It is better to have an amplifier that has reserve power and can provide the necessary power during peaks than an underpowered amplifier that runs into clipping problems.

You can damage any speaker with any amplifier if you are not careful and turn the volume to an excruciatingly loud level. If you do that, I will worry about your hearing more than your speakers. Speakers can be replaced. Unfortunately, god is not as generous as Wal-Mart and doesn't give you a refund on your ears.

Many thanks - that's reassuring. Don't worry - I do value my hearing a lot more than my speakers!