Will a Receiver that has 130 watts per channel mess up a speaker if the label says 100 watts or 120 watts?

Question

I am buying a receiver that offers 130 watts per channel but would I have to replace my speakers if there back labels say up to 120 watts at 8 ohms or up to 100 watts at 8 ohms. My 3 front (LCR) speakers all say 120 watts at 8 ohms and my surround speakers say 100 watts at 8 ohms

Answer 1

If your amp is rated for more than you need to replace me.

Answer 2

You should be fine with your current set-up if your

speakers say watts in RMS rather than MAX, and

even then, as long as you don't turn your volume

nob up to half way or more. You'll know if you're

playing your speakers too hard because they will

begin to sound harsh and start to distort. Virtually

any amp/receiver can damage any speaker simply

by clipping the amp (turning the amp's volume high

enough to get it to distort). What is important is that

you get enough volume for what you like. If not, then

you may need to get either more efficient speakers

or speakers that can handle more power.

Answer 3

It all depends on the quality of the amplifiers in the receiver. It isn't the wattage, but the distortion that blows a speaker.
For example: I am running two B&W bookshelf speakers rated at 120W each with two Rotel digital monoblocks that have an RMS output of 500W each.
As long as you do not drive your speakers to a point where they are distorting, then you should be just fine.

Answer 4

You might blow the speakers out but you can also install fuses to protect them. A rule of thumb is to make sure the speakers are rated at 125% of the power amps.

Answer 5

The rear speakers are always rated at a lower power than the front (main) ones. I doubt that in a household setting you would ever use the receiver at full power, and the sound levels from the rear speakers are lower than the main ones since they are only "filling in" with sound effects. So don't waste money on new speakers, just keep the volume to a realistic level.

Answer 6

Yes that is fine, the trouble with speakers happens when you supply them with less wattage. If you use lower rated wattage then you are under driving your speakers which will eventually blow your speakers.