AVIXA CTS Study Group

70W Attenuator Wattage - Headroom Required?

Is a 100W 70V attenuator actually designed to pass 100W of 70V amplified signal to 100W*1.5 of networked 70V speakers?
Go to the profile of Christopher Eloranta
Christopher Eloranta
AV Design Engineer, AmbianceIQ
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I have asked other questions on the Xchange regarding EPR ratings, and this question is related:

To date, I have always added 70V attenuators based on the combined taps of the speaker networks they are attenuating.  For example, if I have four speakers each tapped at 25W in a paralleled network, I would put a 100W attenuator in line to control volume (and then make sure my amp channel has 100W plus headroom.)

My colleague asked a question today that had been bugging me:  Are attenuator ratings intended for this use, or should they be specified to allow for headroom like the amplifiers?

Of course I avoid attenuators like the plague when budget allows it...  but when my hand is forced I want to do what I can to preserve the audio quality.

Go to the profile of Christopher Eloranta
Christopher Eloranta
AV Design Engineer, AmbianceIQ

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