The meaning of "Watts" on a hi fi help?

oldagetraveller

If you're really serious about proper hi-fi (high fidelity, fidelity=truth) then forget Richer Sounds. Go to an independent hi-fi dealer, with music recordings of your own, where you will get to listen in comfort and without pressure to a variety of set ups. An hour or more can be alotted for this depending how busy they are.
Book an appointment at the dealer and speak to them. Tell them what you are looking for and your budget. They'll not treat you with any less respect even if it's a low figure.
With regards to power output, yes RMS is the true figure, remember a top quality 20Watt amplifier can sound better than a 100Watt offering. It's the whole system that has to work together from source to speakers, including connecting cables.
Whatever you do, listen first, don't just buy blind the cheapest offering available, you'll eventually regret it.
It's all about musicality, not raising the roof or expanding the walls with booming bass.

Fifer

oldagetraveller wrote: »

If you're really serious about proper hi-fi (high fidelity, fidelity=truth) then forget Richer Sounds. Go to an independent hi-fi dealer, with music recordings of your own, where you will get to listen in comfort and without pressure to a variety of set ups. An hour or more can be alotted for this depending how busy they are.
Book an appointment at the dealer and speak to them. Tell them what you are looking for and your budget. They'll not treat you with any less respect even if it's a low figure.
With regards to power output, yes RMS is the true figure, remember a top quality 20Watt amplifier can sound better than a 100Watt offering. It's the whole system that has to work together from source to speakers, including connecting cables.
Whatever you do, listen first, don't just buy blind the cheapest offering available, you'll eventually regret it.
It's all about musicality, not raising the roof or expanding the walls with booming bass.

Good advice for anyone who is serious about quality sound. I'm not sure that's what the OP is after though, in all honesty.

Fifer

Moneymaker wrote: »

Interesting information about amps and loudspeakers here.

The author seems a tad confused about loudspeaker efficiency.

D.K.

20watts can sound louder than 100. In terms of volume, remember it's length breadth and height so we are working in cubes, a slightly bigger room needs tons more watts.
You have to use your ears. A good quality 20watt amp can sound much louder than a poor 100watt probably because the 20watt one will peak much much higher and make those snares really "crash" and not just "tisht"
This is probably why car "Hi-Fi"s sound rubbish.
You can't get Hi-Fi from a woofer anyway eh?