Dynamic headroom

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by PHC1

There is a limit to everything. One can keep pushing the transistors with brief bursts until one approximates the point at which they fail. Typically that is way outside the linear operating zone of the transistor or the sweet spot and would sound like crap anyways. Would not be honest but good for spec numbers.



Or one can conservatively say 180w vs the actual 200w that the amp can safely operate for example and call "that" extra headroom? That is not exactly good marketing either.



Further, the "dynamic headroom" breaks down into the chain of events that unfolds with various rooms/speakers. Same amp in two different systems would mean very different operating zones.



One guy listening at less than 1/3 rated power vs another who is bouncing off the dynamic ceiling with his large room, big, inefficient speakers and very loud SPL levels.



The more important question is, would an external device of any sort improve the actual specs of an amplifier?



Do the 200 mph ratings of expensive sport rubber tires make the car traveling at 55 mph faster? Would the car have more dynamic headroom at that speed because of those tires or because of its own reserves/dynamic headroom?



How about at 150 mph as the car bounces off the rev limiter and reaches the end of gearing and engine rpms? Does the rubber help it reach 200 mph?





Should one expect the amp to have a different bench measured result of performance plugged into the wall vs a power conditioner of choice? How does that work?

Yes, I get all that, I was just trying to state the commonly accepted definition of headroom in an amplifier. Re your car analogy, they would be 55mph rated tires that had the capability to be punched to 70 for brief durations.