Q: Watts the deal?

Wattage numbers can look impressive. So what do you do with them? Do you just get the most watts you can afford in your amplification and try to recreate a 1970s Led Zeppelin or Who concert? In most cases, more watts are better in your system, says senior editor Robert Archer of CE Pro magazine, a trade publication for professional electronic systems installers, especially if you love rock music or if you simply like to play your music loud. Extra power allows you to achieve the dynamic levels you seek in your favorite songs.

Not all amplifiers are created equal, however. A basic guideline many people use, says Archer, is to go by weight and the quality of the construction of an amplifier. You can compare two amps that are both rated to deliver 100 watts, but some manufacturers manipulate their figures by expressing peak levels rather than continuous power levels, and others may test their power at "one channel driven" as opposed to "all channels driven."

If an amp feels heavy, that's probably due to the design and engineering, and through those principles the amp is able to deliver real-world current to drive a speaker effectively. Do a side-by-side demo to compare amps if possible. Listen for distortion, clarity and smoothness and whether the amps that are rated similarly deliver the same volume levels at the same settings. Remember just because a spec sheet says something doesn't mean it's gospel.

Clean Power

Not providing enough clean power (wattage) to your speakers could deprive them of the TLC they need. Over time, they'll get back at you by frying or blowing your entertainment system. In a nutshell, underpowering means you're sending a distorted or "clipped" audio signal that can damage the speaker and make the amp fail.