Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
May 13, 2014 - 11:10am
#1
Minimum Wattage for Bookshelf Speakers
Loudspeakers Amplification | Digital Sources Analog Sources Featured | Accessories Music |
Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | Analog Sources Accessories Featured | Music Columns Retired Columns | Show Reports | Features Latest News Community | Resources Subscriptions |
With impedance issues & the low level, low quality power provided by the TV I recommend against such a plan.
Few things will damage a speaker faster than too little power.
JMHO YMMV
Bill
The 17 watts is the power that goes to the built-in speakers of the TV; it is NOT available to drive external speakers. You can't do what you are suggesting. There is no way to connect the TV amplifier circuits to external speakers.
The L/R audio output jacks on the TV is a pair of line-level outputs to connect via cables to the input jacks of an external amplifier or receiver, which will then drive your speakers. You cannot just connect those jacks to speakers (the power available is only a few milliwatts).
You must purchase an external amplifier or receiver to drive the speakers, preferably one that has at least 40 watts per channel of audio output power available.
The Sony STR-DH130 is available from Amazon for only $120; that would be suitable. It has around 75 watts per channel, which will drive your speakers adequately.
For $379 you could get the NAD C316BEE Integrated amplifier, which will sound even better with your speakers, but the Sony would be a good budget alternative for now. It will be a satisfactory solution for your current problem.
Thanks for the input. The TV's manual was fairly cryptic, but it seemed to specify 17W out at the terminals. At any rate, I might be doing something different (due to room size, among other things) and going with floor standers like the KEF Q900 or something similar -- also with the nova125. I'll decide shortly.
Be aware that if you go with the Q900 speakers you will need to spend $1000-2000 for a amplifier that can drive them well; that is a whole different ball game...lol.
You might also want to consider the PSB Image T6 speakers, which are $1300 and are excellent (I had a pair for two years).
The Music Hall 15.3 is an excellent amplifier that is only $549 and will drive the PSB speakers well. That would be a good combination.