Performance Notes
Power Handling
B&C’s specified Nominal Power Handling is measured according to the AES2-1984 standard. The transducer under test is driven for a two-hour period with a pink noise signal having a crest factor of 2 (or 6 dB), and filtered to the working range of the transducer itself. For instance, a 50-500 Hz range is typical for woofer testing. Cone loudspeakers are tested in free air. Compression drivers are coupled to their recommended horn. Power is calculated using the RMS value of applied voltage – averaged over the test period – and the minimum value of electrical impedance within the working range of the loudspeaker. After the test, the transducer must be in working order, without permanent impact on its technical performance.
Due to the transient character of most musical programs, whose crest factor is commonly 12 dB or more, it is customary to specify a “Continuous Program Power Handling”, double of the Nominal Power Handling, as a recommended amplifier power in order to fully exploit the thermal and mechanical capabilities of the transducer without any clipping in the amplifier stage. On the contrary, if the amplifier is pushed to its limits and shows frequent saturation, its power specification should be less than the rated Nominal Power Handling of the loudspeaker.