What wattage will give me sound loud enough for movies, video games?

Question

Looking at getting a home theater and not sure what Wattage I should be looking at to have my speakers give me enough sound to be decently loud. I dont want something that will blow the roof off if necessary, but do want it loud enough to expereince the feel of movies and video games . Thanks

Answer 1

Hi there .First ,how much are you prepared to spend.Second what are the dimensions of the room you will have your equipment in. Third are you mainly interested in having sound effects with your video or do you also want quality sound from your speakers such as music to enjoy.The amount of sound your system will produce will depend on the power output of your Receiver, the eficiency of the speakers and the size of your room.

The most important component of your system is the SOURCE COMPONENT (CD Player, DVD/CD Player,Tuner,Turntable) The quality of the musical signal coming out of this first component defines the ultimate ability of your sound system .Every other component in the system merely passes on this signal with greater or less accuracy. None can enhanse or improve it.Many people believe that CD ,DVD, Players are all essentially the same with their sound circuitry because they are digital and somehow are all the same.But there are differences and you should listen to as many as possible with your favorite discs to choose the one that sounds the best to you.

If you buy a Receiver there will be compromises because the Pre- Amp and Power Amp. will be sharing a single power supply. The Pre-Amp.is responsible for volume adjustment,input switching and a gain stage.Because the signal it passes is so small any distortions it introduces are then amplified again by the Power Amplifier(s).which drives the Speakers.

The Power Amplifier(s) job is to move the Speakers back and forth with control and accuracy while not introducing any noise or distortions to the musical signal it receives from the Pre-Amp. it must amplify the full bandwith of 10 octaves with complete linerarity. It must not shift phase at any frequency and it must not amplify any harmonics more than others.To do so would distort musicality and leave you with speakers moving back and forth with a room full of sound but no music.

The last link in the chain are the speakers.Many Audio Video enthuists believe that the speaker is the most important link in the HI.FI. chain. Intuitively this makes sense because it is where the sound comes from.And true enough if you change to nicer speakers a very different sound will come forth but remember that the SOURCE is the most important component and they can't share that honor.In fact because the speaker is the only passive device in the chain in ways it is the least important. That said speakers are probably the hardest to get right !

As i said earlier let me know your budget and your room size and we will find a good system for you.

Answer 2

Wattage ratings are pretty irrelevant. Watts can be measured different ways, at different frequencies, with different levels of current, and with different levels of distortion. The better brands will rate their watts conservatively and the lesser brands will rate them quite liberally (even dishonestly). 60 watts of a good brand receiver will blow away 100 watts of a cheap brand. The factor which will make the biggest difference for you will be the QUALITY of the speakers (not the watts they are rated to handle). The factor that creates the next biggest factor is the QUALITY if the receiver. I recommend you get some Audio / Video magazines like "Home Theater" and "Sound and Vision." Read their reviews as well as reviews on the Internet. Go to some high-end stores and listen to their systems. Even if they are beyond your budget you will get a feel for what a good system sounds like. Ask lots of questions there. The guys at the mass market stores often have just enough knowledge to make a sale. In the long run, let your ears be your guide. The system that sounds best to you within your budget is the one to get.

Answer 3

Specs are of no interest to you - the wuality of sound is.
Go o the local shop, and listen. Find what you like. Tell the salesman the size of your room, but you can always make the volume lower....