Big amp small speakers- too risky?

[ELberto]

I'm fairly well decided on getting a Parasound 2250v2 to use in my future (1 year off hopefully) listening haven where it'll drive proper floorstanders. I haven't bought the floorstanders yet. In the mean time I listen to bookshelf speakers (see specs below). Were I to set the new amp up with the bookshelf speakers would it damage them at moderate volumes? Along these lines- were I to accidentally turn it up so loud I got distortion would that do any damage if it was only for a second or two? The Parasound is a relative beast with these numbers:
All Channels Driven
275 watts x 2, 8Ω
400 watts x 2, 4Ω

Bookself speaker specs:

• Recommended Impedance setting for amplifiers: 6 or 8 ohms (whichever is higher)
• Sensitivity: 88 dB SPL @ 2.83 V, 1 meter distance
• Recommended Power: 25-150 watts

 

[tomtoo]

Its the same question like: Are the 450HP in my new car dangerous for me?

I would say no.....buuuut it depends...

 

[Chromatischism]

How heavy is your foot/finger?

 

[staticV3]

Just turn down the level knobs on the back of the unit to a point where even 100% volume out of your DAC won't distort the bookshelves.
Once set, there's no way you can fat finger the knobs, right?

 

[ELberto]

Haha- driving fast has always been a passion too. But to answer the question- when I turn the volume up it's with care. But with an amp that's got more power than the speakers are rated for... I worry. More of a concern is moving in and out of wasapi exclusive mode- sometimes there's a jump there.

 

[levimax]

@amirm uses his 1000 watt mono blocks when he does listening tests on bookshelf speakers. As long as you back off if the speakers start sounding stressed you will probably be fine.

 

[ELberto]

Just turn down the level knobs on the back of the unit to a point where even 100% volume out of your DAC won't distort the bookshelves.
Once set, there's no way you can fat finger the knobs, right?
View attachment 228451

This is great- hadn't thought of using those as a limiter, so to speak. Thanks!

 

[ELberto]

@amirm uses his 1000 watt mono blocks when he does listening tests on bookshelf speakers. As long as you back off if the speakers start sounding stressed you will probably be fine.

Ok good- and thanks for this.

 

[mhardy6647]

I wouldn't worry about it unless you ask too much of the loudspeaker and the space they're, umm, speaking to.
A little common sense goes a long way.

 

[tomtoo]

Speakers are sluggish, not easy to kill.

As long you use your ears and brain.

 

[levimax]

This is great- hadn't thought of using those as a limiter, so to speak. Thanks!

If you listen to streaming where the services level everything out it will work for the most part but if have multiple sources or play CD or digital files it will be a problem as if you are "safe" on the loud files you will want more (sometimes a lot more) on quiet dynamic files.

 

[AdamG]

You know when you hear that “crackling, screeching, distorted” sound? That generally means turn it Down not Up!

 

[Deleted member 51677]

I'm fairly well decided on getting a Parasound 2250v2 to use in my future (1 year off hopefully) listening haven where it'll drive proper floorstanders. I haven't bought the floorstanders yet. In the mean time I listen to bookshelf speakers (see specs below). Were I to set the new amp up with the bookshelf speakers would it damage them at moderate volumes? Along these lines- were I to accidentally turn it up so loud I got distortion would that do any damage if it was only for a second or two? The Parasound is a relative beast with these numbers:
All Channels Driven
275 watts x 2, 8Ω
400 watts x 2, 4Ω

Bookself speaker specs:

• Recommended Impedance setting for amplifiers: 6 or 8 ohms (whichever is higher)
• Sensitivity: 88 dB SPL @ 2.83 V, 1 meter distance
• Recommended Power: 25-150 watts

No distortion no damage. You could put a thousand watt amp on them, just don’t overdrive the speakers. I had Classe omega stereo driving my original Sonus Faber Concertinos not a problem. More of a problem with an under powered amp imho

 

[djtetei]

There no such thing as too powerful amplifier as long as your gain stage is set up correctly, you know the capabilities of your speakers and amplifier and use your brain when driving the "level" knobs.
If you know you are in the habit of forgetting that "red lights are for prostitutes", use an amplifier with power ratings of no more than your speakers can handle safely.
The non negotiable rule is: no one touches your equipment, except you!

 

[Chrispy]

Actually, you're more likely to need more amp with smaller speakers....Hoffman's Iron Law.

 

[Chromatischism]

Actually, you're more likely to need more amp with smaller speakers....Hoffman's Iron Law.

Yeah, but not 400 watts per channel.

 

[Chrispy]

Yeah, but not 400 watts per channel.

Why not?

 

[fpitas]

All the stories I've heard involving powerful amps frying defenseless speakers involved unsupervised kids, or alcohol.

 

[steve59]

The only time I've damaged speakers it was a tweeter and I was swapping interconnects with power and source on, duh. I had an anthem 225i with pretty close numbers to yours and sometimes the volume control would just keep turning all the way to the stop! I have read larger driver voice coils can get damaged if pushed to the limits causing distortion while still working, Like others have suggested, treat the volume control like it's the throttle on your sportbike and keep the remote out of reach of children.

 

[Deleted member 51677]

Actually, you're more likely to need more amp with smaller speakers....Hoffman's Iron Law.

Fact, little speakers can be hard to drive