Home Entertainment Show 2007

Listening & Measurement Workshops

Workshop #5
The Peak Power Demands of Well-recorded Music

This attention-getting demonstration may make you think twice about how much amplifier power you need. You will be able to see in real time the very high peak-to-average power ratio (crest factor) of music while you are listening to it. The high crest factor of well-recorded music can place very high peak-power demands on a power amplifier even at modest listening levels. This will demonstrate why high-power amplifiers sometimes sound better. Amplifiers may clip more often than we think. You are welcome to bring your own music. Examples of MP3 and off-air f.m. broadcast material will also be available for comparison.