Why weak wattage?

[la bam]

I get a bit / lot confused sometimes.... 

 

With another load of new gear being released at the moment, I can't help wonder the same thing every year... 

 

There's only really 2 uses for an amp - practicing/home use and playing live / in bands. 

 

So why do nearly all the manufacturers sell ranges that are dead set in the middle? And serve neither use? 

 

Ie the 200w class d type? Or 200w class d combos etc... 

 

That's too loud / needless for home and just not practical for gigging and to be honest not much different in price. 

 

I see loads and loads of stuff I'd like to buy second hand, then see it's the weaker version, drives me mad! 

 

Surely it's the same effort to put in a 500w power module as it is a 200w one? 

 

A bass amp used to be a bass amp... Ie you could gig with it without worry, and a practice amp for home was just that. Now it's a minefield out there... 

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

There's small gigs, and there are bigger gigs. If the aim is to keep up with an unmiked acoustic drum kit for small pub gigs and rehearsals, just about any modern amp rated at 200W should be up to the job.

 

A 500W isn't 2.5 times as loud as a 200W amp, it is twice as loud as a 50W amp.

 

* please note: gross oversimplifications may have been applied

Edited 1 hour ago by Jean-Luc Pickguard

[neepheid]

My backup head is 250W and I wouldn't worry about gigging with it.  In fact tonight I might gig with it, as a proof of concept/fire drill.

 

[chris_b]

I use the same amps at home as I do on the loudest gig. 800 watts sounds fine in my front room. They all have a thing called a master volume.