How Powerful Should My Receiver Be?
Not sure how many watts you need? Answer a few questions and we'll tell you what to look for.
What room is your audio setup in?
Room size directly affects how much power you need — bigger rooms need more watts.
How Many Watts Do You Really Need?
Amplifier power is one of the most misunderstood specs in home audio. More watts doesn't always mean louder — it depends on your speakers' efficiency. A highly efficient speaker (93+ dB sensitivity) can play just as loud on 20 watts as an inefficient speaker (84 dB) on 200 watts.
For most living rooms with typical speakers, 50–100 watts per channel is plenty. The key is matching your amplifier to your speakers AND your room. A small room with efficient speakers might only need 30 watts. A large room with power-hungry bookshelf speakers might need 150+ watts to really open up.
Headroom matters too — having 2–3 times your minimum power requirement prevents distortion during loud, dynamic passages in movies and music. A 100-watt amp at half volume sounds much better than a 50-watt amp pushed to its limits.
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What Speaker Wire Do I Need?
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What Size TV Should I Get?
Answer a few questions about your room and we'll recommend the perfect TV size, mounting height, and setup.
Will a Projector Work in My Room?
Find out if your room is right for a projector, what size screen you can get, and where to place it.