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OK, But What's the Additional Power Doing to Make it Sound Better?

So, perhaps another stupid question. Why is it B.S.?

I measure with my lil' old RatShack meter the SPL from a few feet in front of the speaker, say 3. That meter NEVER bumps over 90, it's analogue, so I know, not perfect. That means that my amp is using 2 watts, or whatever it is into the 5 ohm load to get that SPL. What's the extra power for? I realize for some listeners there are peaks where the reserved power would come into play, but what's it doing for me in my little space? What else is the power doing for the speaker besides providing the needed amplification of the signal?

It's a practical question for me. Manageable 100-150 watt SS power is pretty easy to come by, tubed power in that range is not, and it weighs a TON. My amp is about 50 lbs and that's about all I can handle. I saw CJ has a 120 watt amp that uses 8 KT-120's and clocks in at 75 lbs. VTL has one they say give 100 watts into 5 ohm's that's 105 lbs. Maybe monoblocks will be my friend.

(ETA) I am REALLY intrigued by these LTA ZOTL40 Reference+. Says 40 watts stereo or 80 watts mono (maybe 100 into 4 ohms, I've sent an inquiry). And 15 lbs each!




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