A watt is a unit of energy. With regard to audio systems, watts refer to the energy output of the amplifier or receiver that’s being used to power the speakers. More watts equal more power, and thus more potential volume - itself usually measured in decibels.
What do Watts mean for my Speakers?
When purchasing home entertainment components, you need to make sure that your speakers are compatible with the maximum output of your amplifier or receiver. For example, if you purchase a receiver with an output of 100 watts-per-channel, make sure your speakers are compatible with that level of output. If the speakers are designed to "max out" at less power, the audio will become distorted, and could even damage the speakers. Conversely, if the speakers are designed to handle more power than your amplifier provides, this may result in the sound "clipping” or cutting out), which might likewise cause speaker damage.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing home theatre components is that the relationship between watts and decibels is exponential, not linear. This means that doubling the wattage does not give you double the volume. As a rule, if you double the number of watts (for example, from 50 to 100) you only get a volume increase of 3dB, which is almost imperceptible. To double the volume, you would instead need to multiply the number of watts by a factor of ten-requiring, for example, a 500-watt system to achieve twice the volume of a 50-watt system.
Compatibility between Components
To ensure that your amplifier and speakers are compatible, always ask an audio expert for assistance. That’s what we did. Many of LG’s audio systems were fine-tuned by renowned audio expert, Mr. Mark Levinson. Just one more assurance that our home entertainment systems are designed to allow all components to work together-to give you breathtaking audio clarity and performance, every time.