fmw, thanks for that information. As an aside from the issue at hand I just want to say that some of the sources of information available around here assume that the reader has at least a solid foundation of knowledge pertaining to the audio world... I really don't it seems, hah. Regarding what you just said then, when amps say for instance, 300 watts a channel at 8ohms, and 500watts a channel at 4ohms, and 1000watts a channel at 2ohms what does this really mean? Because this has me quite confused. In the case of the Studio 100's, which are compatible with 8ohms, from what little I understand, it seems to me that the amp will run at 8ohms at 300w/c for this speaker. After what you wrote, I realize now that I definently got my cables crossed in my understanding here.
A lower impedance means that the speaker system represents a smaller "obstruction" to the flow of current. Impedance is like resistance except that it is an AC measurement. 4 ohm speakers will draw more current than 8 ohm speakers. Since power (watts) is voltage X current that's why the amp will push more power into a 4 ohm load than an 8 ohm load. There are limitations - the main one is the power supply's ability to deliver that current. As we get to lower impedances we hit the wall, so to speak, of the power supply's ability to deliver all the current. The 8 ohm speakers, then, represent an easier load for the amplifer power supply to handle.
In practice either 4, 6 or 8 ohms should not be a problem with any modern amplifier of competent design and quality. There have been monster amplifers developed with gigantic power supplies capable of delivering power to 1 and 2 ohm loads but, obviously, they aren't necessary for your speakers.
Paradigms website also states that the "suitable amplifier power range is 15 - 350 watts". My HTR-5850 runs 105w/cx6 at RMS Output Power (1kHz). Which to me means it falls roughly 1/3rd of the ability of these speakers. Or as you have explained in your post these Studio 100's are potentially capable of running at an extra (roughly) 12db that I cannot achieve under current conditions --- also not factoring in room acoustics. I realize this is not at all accurate to any real science, I'm just trying to get a grasp on the generalities.
Not at all. I believe below you said the speakers can handle up to 210 watts. That is only 3 db (slightly) louder than with 105 watts. I don't know how large your room is but if it is no larger than mine (20X22 feet) 105 watts should produce volume that is uncomfortably loud without clipping. 210 watts would provide an addition 3 db of overhead.
Another point of confusion for me is that the site also states, "Maximum Input Power - 210watts" - Then this to me means these speakers can only handle 210 watts from the amp, in which case it kind of conflicts with what they state is suitable amplifier power range. As wouldn't anything that exceeds the 210 watts just be excess and not required?
It means that, if you apply more than 210 watts for a certain amount of time, you run the risk of destroying the voice coils in the speaker drivers. They get hotter than they should and break. You might get away with very short peaks beyond 210 watts but you would probably harm your speakers with more than a couple of seconds at a higher level of input power.
They are telling you to operate the speakers below that level. In a typical home theater in a typical home, that kind of power might be dangerous to the hearing, not just uncomfortable. You have plenty of power to make loud in most home theaters with your speakers. If you want a fancier amp then be my guest. There are all kinds of them available and you can read the posts from the fanboys recommending theirs.
God... I know so little...
And I can tell you the high end AV industry appreciates that. They wouldn't do much business if their potential customers had any involvment with objective testing.
