[Wind Chaser]

Are British watts more robust and then American watts?

[Wind Chaser]

Could this have something to do with the Brits operating at 220 volts and the USA at 110 volts?

[Haoleb]

Could this have something to do with the Brits operating at 220 volts and the USA at 110 volts?

No, a watt is a watt. Wattage is derived from voltage and current so one watt from 120vac is the same as one watt from 240vac 0nly, the current is different.

This probably has to do with the way wattage ratings are calculated, As we all know the way manufacturers determine the nice rounded overly inflated number they paste on the side of the box for many consumer products is much different than what a real amplifier manufacturer would publish.

[andyr]

Could this have something to do with the Brits operating at 220 volts and the USA at 110 volts?

Well, yes ... if speaker drivers were driven by AC mains directly! 

Regards,

Andy

[Wind Chaser]

Could this have something to do with the Brits operating at 220 volts and the USA at 110 volts?

Well, yes ... if speaker drivers were driven by AC mains directly! 

Maybe the British feel that their watts, like their currency, is superior to the American counterparts.  Looking at the rated power handling of that driver, it's interesting that they would make a distinction as such.  If a "watt" is a "watt", how can there be a discrepancy in the measurement?   

[TerryO]

It's really quite simple.

The British, and our Canadian cousins are now using Metric Watts, while here in the US we still use Imperial Watts.

Use of the Metric System is also the reason why Britain and Canada are colder than here in the States!

As you can see, that really wasn't so hard to explain.

Best Regards,
TerryO

[Quiet Earth]

Maybe the British feel that their watts, like their currency, is superior to the American counterparts. 

Dude,,,,,,,,,,,, that was seriously funny!
 

[kbuzz3]

It's really quite simple.

The British, and our Canadian cousins are now using Metric Watts, while here in the US we still use Imperial Watts.

Use of the Metric System is also the reason why Britain and Canada are colder than here in the States!

As you can see, that really wasn't so hard to explain.

Best Regards,
TerryO

Great post!!!!!!

My theory is the differential is based on the long standing audio proverb:  "valves" produce more watts then "tubes"

[Kevin Haskins]

I wonder of the impedance curve is in American Ohms or British.   

[Wind Chaser]

I wonder of the impedance curve is in American Ohms or British.   

So a "watt" isn't a "watt" and an "ohm isn't an "ohm" leaving everything unknown.  As a Canadian I find this very perplexing because we are stuck in the middle being part of the British Commonwealth and yet at the same time undeniably influenced by our neighbors to the south. 

I propose Canadian watts and Canadian ohms as a compromise.

[mpaulsen]

So a "watt" isn't a "watt" and an "ohm isn't an "ohm" leaving everything unknown.  As a Canadian I find this very perplexing because we are stuck in the middle being part of the British Commonwealth and yet at the same time undeniably influenced by our neighbors to the south. 

I propose Canadian watts and Canadian ohms as a compromise.

That's a good idea. My Bryston amp is Canadian so unless we have some compromise I'd have no idea how hard I could push that speaker.

[JimJ]

Maybe the British feel that their watts, like their currency, is superior to the American counterparts.

Anyone that's worked on a Lucas electrical setup knows that not to be the case...they don't call it the "Prince of Darkness" for nothing...

Loose Unsoldered Connections And Splices

[TerryO]

I wonder of the impedance curve is in American Ohms or British.   

So a "watt" isn't a "watt" and an "ohm isn't an "ohm" leaving everything unknown.  As a Canadian I find this very perplexing because we are stuck in the middle being part of the British Commonwealth and yet at the same time undeniably influenced by our neighbors to the south. 

I propose Canadian watts and Canadian ohms as a compromise.

It's easy enough to do. Just add them together and divide by 2. I do think that merely "average" watts or ohms are far less exciting than either the Metric or Imperial varieties.

Just an opinion, YMMV (oops, I mean YKMV)

Best Regards,
TerryO