Understanding Bluetooth speaker specifications goes beyond headline wattage.
Doubling wattage does not double loudness, as power relies on RMS versus peak ratings.
A closer look at how sustained power and driver design impact audio output.
How is power measured?
The power of a speaker is measured in two ways: the peak value for instantaneous operation and the continuous value, known as RMS. The peak value indicates how much electrical power the speaker's amplifier can handle in a few seconds. The continuous value indicates the power the speaker can handle over a long period of time.
Many manufacturers and stores prefer to only announce the maximum power, making it difficult to compare speakers. For example, the official brochure for the JBL Go 4 lists 4,2W RMS power.
Watts do not double the intensity
A common misconception is that if you double the watts of a speaker, the volume will also double. In practice, doubling the power increases the sound marginally, by about 3 dB. For a human to hear sound that is twice as loud, it takes ten times the power.
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How many watts do you really need?
The appropriate power depends on where you plan to use the speaker:
- From 3 to 10 watts: Smaller wireless speakers operate at these power levels.
- Up to 40 watts: Speakers with up to 40W RMS power often have two speakers internally and offer clearer sound at lower volumes.
- From 40 to 100 watts: Speakers in this category, such as the Soundcore Boom 3i with 50W RMS power, are usually suitable for outdoor spaces and patios.
- Above 80 watts: Series like the JBL Boombox and PartyBox offer 80W and 200W RMS power respectively for parties and large venues, but their greater weight makes them less portable.
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