What amplifier does the Monitor Audio CS140 need?

Pick a speaker and tell us how loud you listen and how big the room is. We work out the power it actually needs, check which amplifiers can safely drive its impedance, and rank 297 amplifiers against it.

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Four questions. Nothing is hidden on price.

Passive speakers only - a powered speaker already has its amplifier inside.
Changes the order only. Nothing is hidden for costing too little or too much.
Monitor Audio CS140
Monitor Audio CS140
In-wall
85 dB · 6 ohm
$440 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
32–50 W
per channel, into 6 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of Monitor Audio CS140, you need at least 32 W a channel. More than 50 W is wasted here - that is all Monitor Audio rates the speaker to take.

Show the working
  • 95 dB target at the seat
  • +4.8 dB for 3.0 m of distance
  • -3 dB for a stereo pair
  • -81.8 dB effective sensitivity
  • 1.2 dB taken off to convert the 6 ohm 2.83V rating to dB per watt
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 85 dB, used as 81.8 dB per watt.

Arcam Solo Uno with the Monitor Audio CS140

Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (25 W to 50 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Full Arcam Solo Uno specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

187 integrated amplifiers suit the Monitor Audio CS140

Also show the 63 we do not recommend
1
WiiM Amp Pro
WiiM Amp Pro
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $379
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 120 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
OSD Nero Stream XD2
OSD Nero Stream XD2
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $400
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 120 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
WiiM Amp
WiiM Amp
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $299
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 120 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Yamaha WXA-50
Yamaha WXA-50
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 55 W into 8 ohms · $599
Workable with care
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (55 W to 105 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
OSD Nero Stream ARC
OSD Nero Stream ARC
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 50 W into 8 ohms · $199
Excellent match
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (50 W to 100 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
6
OSD Nero Stream XD
OSD Nero Stream XD
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 30 W into 8 ohms · $240
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (30 W to 50 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
7
Emotiva BasX TA1
Emotiva BasX TA1
Stereo Receiver · Class A/B · 60 W into 8 ohms · $499
Workable with care
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (60 W to 100 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
Eversolo Play
Eversolo Play
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $699
Workable with care
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (60 W to 110 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
9
WiiM Vibelink
WiiM Vibelink
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $299
Workable with care
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 3 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
10
Yamaha A-S301
Yamaha A-S301
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 60 W into 8 ohms · $350
Good match
3 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Barely gains into 4 ohms (60 W to 70 W) - a modest power supply.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
ELAC DS-A101-G
ELAC DS-A101-G
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 40 W into 8 ohms · $850
Excellent match
3 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (40 W to 80 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
12
Denon PMA-600NE
Denon PMA-600NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 45 W into 8 ohms · $499
Workable with care
Just barely enough (2 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
13
PS Audio Sprout100
PS Audio Sprout100
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 50 W into 8 ohms · $799
Excellent match
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (50 W to 100 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
14
Arcam Solo Uno
Arcam Solo Uno
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 25 W into 8 ohms · $769
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (25 W to 50 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
15
Audioengine N22 G2
Audioengine N22 G2
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 50 W into 8 ohms · $269
Workable with care
Just barely enough (2 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Rated at the same 50 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
16
Arcam A5
Arcam A5
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 50 W into 8 ohms · $699
Good match
3 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (50 W to 75 W).
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
17
SVS Prime SoundBase
SVS Prime SoundBase
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $699
Workable with care
6 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
18
NAD C316BEE V2
NAD C316BEE V2
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 40 W into 8 ohms · $499
Workable with care
Just barely enough (1 dB of headroom). Fine at normal volume, no reserve for peaks.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Rated at the same 40 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
19
Yamaha A-S501
Yamaha A-S501
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 85 W into 8 ohms · $550
Workable with care
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
20
FiiO AIR AMP
FiiO AIR AMP
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 90 W into 8 ohms · $300
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Barely gains into 4 ohms (90 W to 120 W) - a modest power supply.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.

Showing the best 20 of 187. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

47 power amplifiers that would also drive them

Listed separately because they are not a complete system: a power amplifier has no volume control and no inputs to speak of, so you need a preamplifier or a streaming preamp as well. Worth it if you already own one, or if you want to buy the two halves separately.

1
Cambridge Audio MXW70
Cambridge Audio MXW70
Power Amplifier · Class D · 70 W into 8 ohms · $599
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (70 W to 125 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
NAD C 268
NAD C 268
Power Amplifier · Class D · 80 W into 8 ohms · $1,299
Workable with care
4 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
3
Naim NAP 250
Naim NAP 250
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $8,999
Workable with care
7 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 190 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
4
Audiolab 9000P
Audiolab 9000P
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $1,499
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
5
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $7,195
Workable with care
6 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 150 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
6
Cambridge Audio Edge M
Cambridge Audio Edge M
Power Amplifier · Class XA · 200 W into 8 ohms
Workable with care
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
No current price on file for this amplifier.
7
Marantz MM7025
Marantz MM7025
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 140 W into 8 ohms · $1,000
Workable with care
6 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 6 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
8
Naim NAP 300 DR
Naim NAP 300 DR
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 90 W into 8 ohms · $12,700
Workable with care
5 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean. Well above the 50 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
Were these amplifier recommendations useful?
It helps us tune the matching, and we read every comment.

Sensitivity and impedance figures are the manufacturer's own. We read sensitivity as dB at 2.83 V/1 m and take 2 dB off it, because published figures run high. Treat the result as a well-founded starting point, not a measurement. Full Monitor Audio CS140 specs.

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