Power handling vs. amp output

[F1nut]

So, within reason, this is just a user beware kinda thing, I guess....

I don't imagine I'd have a problem with too little power.  I was thinking of bridging 2 Adcom 5300s, for 160W power per channel, but want to make sure I won't fry the Klipsches.  It'll just be on me to make sure I keep myself, and any drunks, from cranking it up too hard.

Bridged amps tend not to sound as good due to higher noise levels and as mentioned, do not want to see less than an 8 ohm nominal load.

[SunnyDaze]

By the way Tom, I don't know what you're running now, but, I have an amp you can borrow in the meantime if needs be.

[RuralTom]

Thanks to all for your input... seemed like a pretty straight forward topic that I simply was unable to either find or search correctly for!

I'm running an older NAD 304 2 35W, 120Wpeak for the time being.  I picked up another GFA-5300 off Audiogon immediately after that should arrive in a day or two.  Eventually I'll make it up to 'PVHF', likely take them both to be looked over and bridged.

So far, so good with the NAD.  It's also in very good shape, just serviced & recapped.

[ataudio]

I've said this before......very very few amps sound better in bridge mode.   You have enough power now.  You' d be surprised how loud a few watts can get.  My SET amp is barely one watt/channel and with the right speakers its loud.  Bridged amps lose all woofer control.
But if you're after pure power bridge away.

[schwarcw]

I am not a fan of bridging for home audio.  I think that you loose some of the sound quality.  Plus unless your speakers are 8 ohms, you may have trouble getting a good stereo image.  Get big amps if you want more power.  Remember, doubling the output wattage will only get you and additional 3 dB of volume.

[RuralTom]

ALWAYS fuse your speakers.  Fuses are cheap~

Do tell.... is this difficult?  Never even heard of doing that, but that's a long list, lol!

[RuralTom]

I am not a fan of bridging for home audio.  I think that you loose some of the sound quality.  Plus unless your speakers are 8 ohms, you may have trouble getting a good stereo image.  Get big amps if you want more power.  Remember, doubling the output wattage will only get you and additional 3 dB of volume.

I'll have to think this over.  As it turns out, at the price I picked up another GFA-5300, I doubt if I could hav ehad mine brought back for less.....  when the time comes maybe it would be better, not just cheaper, to buy bigger wattage.

[TNRabbit]

ALWAYS fuse your speakers.  Fuses are cheap~

Do tell.... is this difficult?  Never even heard of doing that, but that's a long list, lol!

Just posted this in another thread:

There's an easy answer here.  Fuse your speakers for their maximum power handling capacity.

See chart below for a rough estimate.  Use SLO-BLO fuses.

[TNRabbit]

You can get an inline fuse holder from radio shack or amazon online & place it between your speaker cable and the POSITIVE speaker connection.

[RuralTom]

I should give it a go sometime... but I'll need to find some quality speaker cable, won't work with the Monster cables I use currently.

[TNRabbit]

I should give it a go sometime... but I'll need to find some quality speaker cable, won't work with the Monster cables I use currently.

How so?

[RuralTom]

Maybe I'm wrong... they are huge, thick totally enclosed cables with 'fancy' connections.... gold banana on one end, gold 'flex' at the other

[SunnyDaze]

Go to Lowe's. Buy some lamp cord. Strip the ends of their insulation. Enjoy.

If you really want to get fancy, go to Frank's and buy some cheap jumper cables! 

[F1nut]

ALWAYS fuse your speakers.  Fuses are cheap~

Why?

[TNRabbit]

ALWAYS fuse your speakers.  Fuses are cheap~

Why?

Well, he says he's running 500+ watt amp into speakers with a maximum rating of @ 150 watts.  Some drunk puts the balls to the volume & BOOM go your speakers~