Speakers

The ins and outs of speakers

RMS stands for "Root Mean Square", which is a mathematical formula for calculating the average amount of power an amplifier can continuously produce. There is no legal standard for calculating RMS watts for an amplifier. Most amplifier makers get a "UL" Rating from the Underwriters Labratories to obtain the most 'true' RMS rating.

Since most amps sound their best when they are 'cranked', some musicians look at the Peak wattage more than the RMS rating. Also, tube-amplifiers are usually not rated by RMS.

PMPO stands for Peak Music Power Output. There is no industry standard for PMPO so you don't really have a way to calculate an accurate rating.

So, how to buy: by recommendation, people who have tried and tested the speakers.

History of speakers:

In 1877 Ernst Siemens patented the first loudspeaker. Englishmen Sir Oliver Lodge received the second patent for a loudspeaker on April 27, 1898. This was all before music was electrified.

In 1924, two General Electric researchers, Chester W. Rice and Edward Washburn Kellogg patented the modern, moving coil, direct radiator loudspeaker, which become the prominent design for all loudspeakers The Rice and Kellogg loudspeakers were sold to consumers under the name of "Radiola'' loudspeakers in 1926.

The first box-enclosed loudspeakers were invented by the Cabesse, a French company, in 1958.

More about history of speakers