Does 5 watts make a difference?

[Audio72]

I have a working Marantz 2230 and a non-working Marantz 2235. The 35 will get fixed in due time. My question is, does 5 watts make a difference in sound? I will be using a Music Hall MMF-5 with some Mirage M-760's speakers.

Thanks,
:D

[hotgas]

Let assume 30W produce a sound level of 90 dbA then to be able to hear a differrence you need a 60W receiver, assuming everything created equal. So my prediction is "no, 5 watts won't make any difference."

[bully]

The first 5 watts will make a difference-- if there is to be a difference in overall sound between the 2230 & 2235.
They should both provide that nice Marantz sound with little if any difference in output.
Our hearing is log, so to increase 3dB (a small hearing step, but requires twice the power output) is only a click or two on the volume attenuator.

[Reel 2 Reel]

Is there a difference??? ...Well......it depends at what level of power output your running at the time....if you are only doin about .10 watts rms...then YES...its a big difference...BUT....if your doin 90 watts rms...then ...No....you would'nt even know there was a change

Like Pete said...for every 3db change in volume level requires double the power....

So in answer to your question....Maybe...it ....depends

(LOL he said 'depends'!!!)

[Tour2ma]

Here the power increase is about 17%. More significant than comparing a 100 and a 105 W amp.

However, at these levels the HCC ratings would likely determine whether there was adifference to be had (and no, I've no idea what the ratings would be for these two).

[gyusher]

I was taught that to double the sound pressure level (3db) takes ten times the power. If one watt gave tou 90db then it would take 10 watts to give you 93db then 100 watts to get 96 and 1000 watts to hit 99. . . I can already see the error in my thinking. Double the power sounds more realistic. 90db at 1 watt, 93 at 2, 96 at 4, 99 at 8, 102 at 16, 105 at 32, 108 at 64, 112 at 111 and 115 at 222 watts. . . . That sounds more like it.

[Tour2ma]

No, double the power yields three dB increase in SPL. It's by definition once the log scale is adopted. But...

Studies have shown that most people perceive a 10 dB increase as double the volume or loudness of sound. This may be what you are thinking of...

[bully]

You can see the dB relationships to watts in my thread WATTS AND dBW.

To increase SPL 3dB (clearly perceptible increase) requires TWICE the output power. To DOUBLE the SPL requires a 10-fold increase in output power. +10dB (because it is a log) is double the perceived SPL.

[Audio72]

Thanks,

:D

[gyusher]

It has been a long time since I thought about this. Makes my head hurt. . .