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→Watts vs. Volume
== Watts vs. Volume ==
Amps measure their power in watts, typically 25, 50, 100, 150, or 300 watts. Some new, smaller "lunchbox" amps only have 2, 5, or 10 watts of power. These wide discrepancies may seem like they translate into similar differences in potential volume. However, this is deceiving.
First of all, identical claimed wattage doesn't mean equal volume. Power can be measured by peak power, or by RMS (root mean square), or some other way to define it. RMS is a statistical measure that gives a more accurate picture of what an amp can actually sustain, while peak power only lasts for an instant, which isn't even perceivable. A 50 W and a 100 W amp measured by peak wattage may peak at their respective ratings, but both might have an RMS rating of only 10 watts.
Second, even using RMS power, different designs in amplifiers can exhibit different perceived volume. Tube amps tend to distort differently than solid state amps, which equates to a 100 W RMS tube amp sounding much louder than a 100 W RMS solid state amp.
Third, power does not translate linearly into volume. Double the wattage may only mean 25% more volume, as measured in decibels (+3 relative db). A 20 W amp may sound only half as loud as a 100 W amp. Now, that 25% can make a huge difference in a band context, where you would easily be drowned out. So it does matter, but the numbers don't tell you the complete picture.
[http://www.gmarts.org/index.php?go=216 This article] explains everything pretty well.
== A brief History of Distortion ==