Speaker Power and choosing the right amplifier

[ddgeorgescu]

Hi,

I have a bunch of inwall Triad gold minimonitors:

www.triadspeakers.com/products/iwg6mm.html

and a bunch of Speakercraft inwall MT8 Three speakers:

www.speakercraft.com/products/architectural-audio/in-wall/mt-series?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_sc.tpl&product_id=98&category_id=53

for a wholehouse audio setup and was wondering which amplifiers should I choose.

I can go with a pair of XPA5's or with a pair of UPA-7's. I am a novice when it comes to matching power requirements of speakers with amplifiers so I am not sure of what to buy:)

For instance, if the speakers are rated 150Watts at 4 ohms and the amplifier can deliver 300 Watts at 4 ohms, would that mean that I am overpowering the speakers and that I will blow them up?

Thanks for your help

[NorthStar]

Hi and Welcome to the Lounge Forum!

First, the power rating of your speakers is a very rough spec. Speakers can take a lot of undistorted power, and that's the main key here; as long you have more you're safer. And the Emotiva UPA amps series with 200 (185 in writing) watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers' loads are fine in your situation with your speakers.
- The actual true Sensitivity (in-room) and the Impedance curve across all the audio range are more meaningful specs. ...And the Phase curve too.

Here's my take according to the two type of In-Wall speakers you have right now:

If you have 10 speakers total; just get a pair of UPA-5s.
And if you have 14 of them; a pair of UPA-7s.

You'll be perfectly fine.

[ddgeorgescu]

Short question: would it be wrong to go with XPA5?

[NorthStar]

Sept 9, 2010 21:14:11 GMT -5 ddgeorgescu said:

Short question: would it be wrong to go with XPA5?

Absolutely not! Altough I don't think that it is necessary in your case, but the more power the better and more powerful your life! ...Well you know what I mean...

Better have more than not enough, that is the MOTTO.

And if ever you get more demanding speakers in the future, you're well covered. And if you like to have great parties with good friends, but don't want necessary hear their life stories, you can crank up the volume level with total safety zone with few of those XPA-5s. ...Right?

* But honestly though, the UPA series have enough (plenty) of juice for your actual present speakers.
And if you go with the XPA amps series instead, you certainly cannot hurt them.

[ottaone]

I bought 2 UPA-7s for whole house audio but I'm finding out that we listen at low volumes. Hence, I will PROBABLY sell the UPA-7s and get a digital amp rated at 40 watts @ 8 ohms with all 12 channels driven, 65 w @ 4 ohms all channels.

LOTR's suggestion of UPAs should be plenty for the speakers you have.

[ddgeorgescu]

Sept 9, 2010 21:28:06 GMT -5 ottaone said:

I bought 2 UPA-7s for whole house audio but I'm finding out that we listen at low volumes. Hence, I will PROBABLY sell the UPA-7s and get a digital amp rated at 40 watts @ 8 ohms with all 12 channels driven, 65 w @ 4 ohms all channels.

LOTR's suggestion of UPAs should be plenty for the speakers you have.

Thanks guys for your suggestions !!! Btw, plenty of Canadians around here ;D

[NorthStar]

Sept 9, 2010 21:52:13 GMT -5 ddgeorgescu said:

Thanks guys for your suggestions !!! Btw, plenty of Canadians around here ;D

Hey, we're some of the smart people around the globe! ;D