Several people have asked us about amplifier power specifications, as there are several ways companies state their amplifiers output power.

At Blue Rose / IQ, we are an engineering driven company, and firmly believe in rigorous and accurate amplifier power specifications.

What is all the fuss about amplifier power specifications?

The issue is that some amplifier manufacturers just state amplifier power without any reference to what and how this power was measured.

If you see an amplifier power rating without any detailed specification, then what does it really mean?  To be candid, it is meaningless !

If an amplifier states it does 300-watts, does this mean 300-watts RMS continuous sine wave, the most rigorous and meaningful spec, or does it imply peak or burst power, dynamic power, etc. Again, without this detail, the power rating is meaningless.

It is the Blue Rose / IQ position that the really only true and accurate amplifier power specification is FTC continuous sine wave power. The sine wave measurement is the most stringent and hardest test for a power amplifier. 

The question then has to be asked, is a 300-watt amp that cannot produce 300-watts on a continuous basis, but can only do so as a burst of power for some milliseconds, really a 300-watt amplifier?

It is our opinion it is not! These are marketing watts, not real watts. We don't play these games!

Another question which also has to be asked, is a 300-watt amp that can only do 100-watts continuous sine wave, a 100-watt amp with high burst or peak power, or a true 300-watt amplifier? We think it is clear that this is a real 100-watt amp. End of story.

However many products are rated using the higher peak / burst rating. We think this is misleading and not correct from an engineering perspective and not really truthful to the end user. You ! That is the Blue Rose / IQ position.

Good Listening from Blue Rose / IQ.