THD on a specific system, the PMX-150

[Manuphoto]

Hi,

I have been reading about THD and just about read everything and its opposite online, so I thought of asking directly this community.

Look at the specs of this system: https://www.panasonic.com/ca/consumer/audio/compact-audio/sc-pmx150.html

THD is listed as “60W (1kHz, 3ohms, 10% THD)”

10% seems huge. I have been reading that good THD is 0.1%.

So either their specs sheet is off, or there is a number of ways to calculate THD.

I own the PMX-100, the model released before this PMX-150 and it has a great sound, no distortion. The few reviews I read about it confirm my opinion about the system.

So, can someone explain to me that higher THD number? I’d very much like to undersatant what I am missing here

Thanks!

A noob that wants to learn.

 

[NINaudio]

To me it looks like they're probably listing that THD at full tilt as indicated by saying 60W.

 

[Manuphoto]

To me it looks like they're probably listing that THD at full tilt as indicated by saying 60W.

Thanks. Whereas most company use another wattage for that value on their specs sheet?

 

[NINaudio]

There is no standard as far as I know

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks. Whereas most company use another wattage for that value on their specs sheet?

Yes, chosen by the marketing department to get the bigger wattage number no doubt. Look at typical amplifier power measurement graphs to see how they typically are shaped (with reasonable distortion up to a point then it will increase dramatically in the upper range). Might want to read these articles
https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/receiver-amp-specifications-thd-and-rms-power
https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/audibility-of-distortion-at-bass/total-harmonic-distortion-thd

 

[Manuphoto]

Yes, chosen by the marketing department to get the bigger wattage number no doubt. Look at typical amplifier power measurement graphs to see how they typically are shaped (with reasonable distortion up to a point then it will increase dramatically in the upper range). Might want to read these articles
https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/receiver-amp-specifications-thd-and-rms-power
https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/audibility-of-distortion-at-bass/total-harmonic-distortion-thd

Thanks for the clarification.