100 watts enough for rf-7?

[AZNracerx1989]

Is 100 watts enough for the rf-7's?

[meuge]

Well, RF-7s are rated at 102dB @ 1 watt/1 meter. Every time you double the power, SPL levels will rise 3dB (theoretically). Thus, at 64 watts of power, the RF-7s will do about 102+6(3)dB= 120dB peaks... that, along with +3dB for having 2 speakers, as well as roughly 2 more dB for 100 watts and theoretically, at 1 meter you should be able to get 125dB peaks out of 1 pair of RF-7s at 100watts.

That is WAY TOO LOUD for a living space, and is roughly equivalent to being in the front row of a concert.

However, not every 100 watts are alike. Firstly you must allow a lot of extra power for transient peaks, as opposed to mean volume. Secondly, quality of power matters. A $300 receiver that quotes 100 watts per channel will NOT sound as clean, clear and defined as a pair of 100 watt/channel monobloc amplifiers that cost 10X as much.

If you could elaborate as to why you're asking, and provide us with more details about your setup, we could offer you advice that'll be more to the point.

[michael hurd]

Is 100 watts enough? Before we can answer that, there are many criteria that have to be met.

Asking if 250 horsepower is enough doesn't mean squat unless we know the vehicle weight if we are looking for acceleration. The gearing also plays a part in acceleration and top speed, and aerodynamics will come into play at high speeds.

We need to know:

How big is the room in feet or meters?

How far away from the speakers you sit?

Intended maximum sound pressure level @ seating distance.

Type of music that you normally listen to - ie: highly compressed rock, jazz, classical, r&b or the like.

[michael hurd]

Before someone tells you that 1.8 watts is " ear-splitting ", take a look at the link. Everyone has different listening preferences, and also comfortable listening levels. It takes amplifier power to make power ( sound pressure ).

With a small to medium sized room, you should be able to produce dolby reference levels ( 105 db ) with even a modest amplifier or receiver that features 60 watts, and maintain adequate reserve power for musical transients.

The type of music will determine how much dynamic range is required - ie: little girl strumming a guitar and singing is less demanding than classical music, and the latter may have a higher dynamic range ( difference between the loudest and softest parts ). The goal is to hear both the quietest parts and the loudest parts, without distortion.

http://home.new.rr.com/trumpetb/audio/dBexamp.html

[scriven]

First, welcome to the forum.

While all the questions Michael asked are valid, the short answer to your question is yes. I have use my Heresys for PA work outdoors without going over 100 watts. Heresys are rated 6db less efficient than your RF-7s and I was using them in an open space. Your RF-7s in an enclosed area will get plenty loud enough with 100wpc. The thing that you have to watch out for is that the signal you send to them is not distorted. Good speakers, and RF-7s are good speakers, will highlight all the flaws in the signal coming to them.

[nicholtl]

From what he's told me over IM, it will be a 2-channel setup used primarily for his parents' karaoke, and occassionally for music listening.