does speakers watts matter?

[liverpool1208]

Hi , as the title .. does the speakers watts and ohms matter for good sound quality? Because i have a current kenwood speakers and am looking at jbl speakers g300. Comparing with my speakers.. Mine is 150w 8 ohms while the jbl speakers are at 10-80w 8 ohms.

So i am curious if watts matter for sound quality or is it just for the increase of volume?

Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

No. It has nothing to do with either of those. What it means is the point at which the components will fry and has basically no bearing on the sound.

 

[liverpool1208]

ok thank you for this reply.. but how do i make sure or confirm that it would sound better from the available specs info? What data/spec would help me decide if it would be worth it?

 

[liverpool1208]

This is my receiver's specs and jbl speakers specs.. can i connect them both without any issues?

Receiver : Pioneer vsx-520(mine)
Audio

• Amplifier Output Details
  110 Watt - 8 Ohm - at 1 kHz - THD 0.05% - 5 channels ( surround )
  80 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.08% - 5 channels ( surround )
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  98 dB

Audio System

• Type
  AV receiver
• Subcategory
  AV components
• Functions
  AV receiver
• Sound Output Mode
  Surround Sound
• Built-in Decoders
  DTS 96/24, DTS Express, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic IIx
• Surround Sound Effects
  Front Stage Surround
• Surround System Class
  5.1 channel
• Digital Sound Processor (DSP)
  Yes

Power Device

• Power Consumption Operational
  240 Watt

Amplifier

• Input Impedance
  47 Ohm
• Input Sensitivity
  200 mV

Amplifier Output Details

• Output Power / Channel
  110 Watt, 80 Watt
• Output Impedance / Channel
  8 Ohm
• Frequency Response
  20 - 20000 Hz, at 1 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
  0.05 %, 0.08 %
• Channel Type
  surround
• Channel Qty
  5

Audio Specifications

• Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  98 dB

Power

• Form Factor
  internal
• Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep
  0.4 Watt

This are the jbl speakers:

jbl g300 front
jbl flix2 surround
comes with jbl jsr 635 receiver

 

[tyhjaarpa]

You can't really tell by specs what sounds better. You have to audition speakers and see what you like. Actual measurements is pretty much only "spec" you can compare speakers by other than listening to them, and even then it only gives an idea. Your best bet is to start listening as many speakers as you can and find what you like. Or you can ask for from forums like these what would be recommended in your budget.

 

[j_garcia]

Your receiver should handle the JBLs fine.

 

[mtrycrafts]

You can't really tell by specs what sounds better. ..

Well, the specs that some JBL testing shows, fr on axis, and several off axis, and the power linearity, I think, that they test for, in essence what Toole has measured while there, will give you a very good idea about the sound quality.
Short of this, one has to listen, if they know what to listen for.

 

[lovinthehd]

Mostly you are going to be the judge of which speaker sounds best to you but the impedance and max wattage are vague guidelines for an appropriate amp; the sensitivity of the speaker may give you an idea of how loud it will get with a given amp, the impedance is useful in terms of a suitable amp (but an impedance curve plot better than the nominal rating most are advertised with), the max wattage is generally more a melting point than particularly useful.

If there were more extensive measurements offered by the manufacturers (but generally aren't in the cases of most speakers and manufacturers), you might get a better idea of the speakers' performance....something like what Ascend Acoustics offers for their speakers http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1meas.html but that still won't tell you if you like their sound or not.

 

[liverpool1208]

so best option is to audition the speaker to see how they sound. Any entry level brands i should look out for in speakers, like jbl, kenwood, wharfebale, marantz, yamaha, onkyo etc?

 

[lovinthehd]

Can't say I've heard any speakers from the electronics guys like kenwood, marantz, yamaha, onkyo in many many years....don't usually consider them when it comes to speakers. Where are you and what is your budget?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

so best option is to audition the speaker to see how they sound. Any entry level brands i should look out for in speakers, like jbl, kenwood, wharfebale, marantz, yamaha, onkyo etc?

I would say what ever is in your budget. Just avoid Bose like a plague.