Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch / 8
ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each, considering
that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
rule of thumb?

Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single pair
of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound at
all?

The example I used: http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1075.htm

Thanks a lot

"Frédéric Mathieu" wrote in message
news:402343b2$1_4@aeinews....
Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch /
8
ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each,
considering
that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
rule of thumb?

Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single
pair
of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound
at
all?

The example I used: http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1075.htm

Thanks a lot

The ratings are not as trustworthy as they used to be.
Whether any speaker will get 120 watts for a measurable length of time is an
open question.
However, as far as distribution of power between channels goes, the
following generally applies:
This kind of amplifier usually has a single common capacitor bank for each
power rail.
The amount of sag in the voltage rail is related to the total drain on the
rail.
Therefore, when a single channel is operating at high power, somewhat more
power can be obtained than when multiple channels are operating at high
power.
By contrast, many high-end amplifiers have separate power supplies per
channel, or a single transformer and separate capacitor banks. In this case,
power sharing is absent, or reduced, with the benefit of reduced crosstalk
between channels.

"Frédéric Mathieu" wrote in message
news:402343b2$1_4@aeinews....
Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch /
8
ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each,
considering
that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
rule of thumb?

Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single
pair
of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound
at
all?

The example I used: http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1075.htm

Thanks a lot

The ratings are not as trustworthy as they used to be.
Whether any speaker will get 120 watts for a measurable length of time is an
open question.
However, as far as distribution of power between channels goes, the
following generally applies:
This kind of amplifier usually has a single common capacitor bank for each
power rail.
The amount of sag in the voltage rail is related to the total drain on the
rail.
Therefore, when a single channel is operating at high power, somewhat more
power can be obtained than when multiple channels are operating at high
power.
By contrast, many high-end amplifiers have separate power supplies per
channel, or a single transformer and separate capacitor banks. In this case,
power sharing is absent, or reduced, with the benefit of reduced crosstalk
between channels.

"Frédéric Mathieu" wrote in message
news:402343b2$1_4@aeinews....
Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch /
8
ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each,
considering
that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
rule of thumb?

Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single
pair
of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound
at
all?

The example I used: http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rmb1075.htm

Thanks a lot

The ratings are not as trustworthy as they used to be.
Whether any speaker will get 120 watts for a measurable length of time is an
open question.
However, as far as distribution of power between channels goes, the
following generally applies:
This kind of amplifier usually has a single common capacitor bank for each
power rail.
The amount of sag in the voltage rail is related to the total drain on the
rail.
Therefore, when a single channel is operating at high power, somewhat more
power can be obtained than when multiple channels are operating at high
power.
By contrast, many high-end amplifiers have separate power supplies per
channel, or a single transformer and separate capacitor banks. In this case,
power sharing is absent, or reduced, with the benefit of reduced crosstalk
between channels.

"Frederic Mathieu" wrote:
} Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch / 8
} ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
} plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
} going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each, considering
} that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
} rule of thumb?

Your not likely to get more than the rated power from any single
channel, even if you aren't using the others.

The power/channel spec should say if it is with 1, 2, or 5 channels
driven. Kenwood specs with 1 channel driven and when you hook up all 5
the power output drops in half. My Onkyo specs with 2 channels driven,
but with 5 channels the power only drops about 10%.

Rotel doesn't seem to explain their specs very well, but they are
a good name, it probably holds up pretty well with all channels driven.



} Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single pair
} of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound at
} all?

No.


Frank Ball

"Frederic Mathieu" wrote:
} Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch / 8
} ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
} plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
} going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each, considering
} that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
} rule of thumb?

Your not likely to get more than the rated power from any single
channel, even if you aren't using the others.

The power/channel spec should say if it is with 1, 2, or 5 channels
driven. Kenwood specs with 1 channel driven and when you hook up all 5
the power output drops in half. My Onkyo specs with 2 channels driven,
but with 5 channels the power only drops about 10%.

Rotel doesn't seem to explain their specs very well, but they are
a good name, it probably holds up pretty well with all channels driven.



} Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single pair
} of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound at
} all?

No.


Frank Ball

"Frederic Mathieu" wrote:
} Consider a 5 channels, 120 watts by channel power amp. (5x120 watts /ch / 8
} ohms) Now plug into it a single pair of speakers, in the "front" speaker
} plugs (does it matter?). Listenning to a stereo source, are the speakers
} going to "receive" 120 watts each, or more than 120 watts each, considering
} that 3 channels are unused? Does it depend on the amplifier, or is there a
} rule of thumb?

Your not likely to get more than the rated power from any single
channel, even if you aren't using the others.

The power/channel spec should say if it is with 1, 2, or 5 channels
driven. Kenwood specs with 1 channel driven and when you hook up all 5
the power output drops in half. My Onkyo specs with 2 channels driven,
but with 5 channels the power only drops about 10%.

Rotel doesn't seem to explain their specs very well, but they are
a good name, it probably holds up pretty well with all channels driven.



} Considering you are listenning to a stereo source, if you plug a single pair
} of speakers to the "surround" speakers plugs, are you gonna get any sound at
} all?

No.


Frank Ball