What's the science behind more power leading to better sound?

[tdastrup]

750mW to be exact.

This is what I was referencing from the Apos site. I have the LDAC version. Anyway, I just hope it sounds good.

 

[solderdude]

I understand. I merely calculated or 50 Ohm which is 750mw.

Absolute max output power is at 40 Ohm = 930mW

 

[tdastrup]

I understand. I merely calculated or 50 Ohm which is 750mw.

Absolute max output power is at 40 Ohm = 930mW

Oh I see. I'm new to this still, but that seems off. How would the output power be 700mW at 32 Ohms, 930mW at 40 Ohms, 750mW at 50 Ohms, and 125mW at 300 Ohms? Shouldn't wattage directly correlate with the resistance? Wouldn't it make more sense if it was something like 700mW at 32 Ohms, 650mW at 40 Ohms, 600mW at 50 Ohms, and 125mW at 300 Ohms? I must be missing something.

 

[Wes]

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/193824/powers-relationship-to-resistance

 

[solderdude]

Oh I see. I'm new to this still, but that seems off. How would the output power be 700mW at 32 Ohms, 930mW at 40 Ohms, 750mW at 50 Ohms, and 125mW at 300 Ohms? Shouldn't wattage directly correlate with the resistance? Wouldn't it make more sense if it was something like 700mW at 32 Ohms, 650mW at 40 Ohms, 600mW at 50 Ohms, and 125mW at 300 Ohms? I must be missing something.

The reason is that the amplifier is current AND voltage limited so has an optimal point.
That is at 40 Ohm.

HERE is a post that explains it

 

[dunkuk]

My answer to the original question is that you need power to move a transducer/speaker cone and you need power to reverse its direction. The more power you have the better the cone is controlled. You can usually see small amps on big bass drivers flapping the drivers about. Larger amps tend to damage speakers less for the same reason I think, they control the movement better.

 

[tdastrup]

The reason is that the amplifier is current AND voltage limited so has an optimal point.
That is at 40 Ohm.

HERE is a post that explains it

@solderdude Thanks for referencing that post. It was very informative. I bookmarked it and made a spreadsheet with what I learned!

 

[Robin L]

Right. This is the explanation I've heard the most for why more power = "better sound".
But can't you get more power simply by just turning up the volume? Assuming you don't start clipping or max out the volume knob.
Or does power unequally affect the volume of different frequencies? Doesn't that then mean that your amp itself has a distinct "frequency response"?

Yes, this is true of all amps in all situations. The lower the frequency, the more power required. The higher the playback level, the more power required. The less efficient the speaker/headphone, the more power required.

If you're happy with what you've got, don't sweat it.

 

[DonH56]

Oh I see. I'm new to this still, but that seems off. How would the output power be 700mW at 32 Ohms, 930mW at 40 Ohms, 750mW at 50 Ohms, and 125mW at 300 Ohms? Shouldn't wattage directly correlate with the resistance? Wouldn't it make more sense if it was something like 700mW at 32 Ohms, 650mW at 40 Ohms, 600mW at 50 Ohms, and 125mW at 300 Ohms? I must be missing something.

Power (P) = Voltage (V) x Current (I) = Voltage squared / Resistance (R) = Current squared x Resistance

P = V x I = V^2 / R = I^2 x R