What amplifier does the AE509 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 294 amplifiers against it.

Your system

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.
AE509
AE509
Floor-standing
89 dB · 6 ohm
$3,499 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
13–175 W
per channel, into 6 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of AE509, you need at least 13 W a channel. More than 175 W is wasted here - that is all Acoustic Energy 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
  • -85.8 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 89 dB, used as 85.8 dB per watt.

Marantz Model 30 with the AE509

Excellent match
11 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 (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Full Marantz Model 30 specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

190 integrated amplifiers suit the AE509

Also show the 56 we do not recommend
1
Marantz Model 30
Marantz Model 30
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Excellent match
11 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 (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Rotel S14
Rotel S14
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Excellent match
10 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 (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Excellent match
10 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 (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class
Technics SU-G700M2 Grand Class
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,700
Excellent match
9 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 (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
Denon PMA-3000NE
Denon PMA-3000NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,799
Excellent match
10 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 (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Denon AE PMA-A110
Denon AE PMA-A110
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $3,999
Excellent match
10 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 (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Denon PMA-1600NE
Denon PMA-1600NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Excellent match
9 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 (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
8
Denon PMA-1700NE
Denon PMA-1700NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Excellent match
9 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 (70 W to 140 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
9
Buchardt I150
Buchardt I150
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 150 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Excellent match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (150 W to 300 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
10
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $1,795
Excellent match
11 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 (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
11
Audiolab 9000A
Audiolab 9000A
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
10 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 (100 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
12
Yamaha A-S1200
Yamaha A-S1200
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 90 W into 8 ohms · $3,000
Good match
10 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 (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
13
Advance Paris Playstream A7
Advance Paris Playstream A7
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 115 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Good match
11 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 (115 W to 180 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
14
Advance Paris A10 Classic
Advance Paris A10 Classic
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 130 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
11 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 (130 W to 190 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
15
Rega Elicit MK5
Rega Elicit MK5
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 105 W into 8 ohms · $3,345
Good match
10 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 (105 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
16
JBL SA750 75th Anniversary Edition
JBL SA750 75th Anniversary Edition
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 130 W into 8 ohms · $3,000
Good match
11 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 (130 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
17
Arcam SA35
Arcam SA35
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 120 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
11 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 (120 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
Cambridge EXA100
Cambridge EXA100
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,199
Good match
10 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 (100 W to 155 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
19
Arcam SA30
Arcam SA30
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 130 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
11 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 (130 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
20
Rotel RAS-5000
Rotel RAS-5000
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 140 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
12 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 (140 W to 220 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.

Showing the best 20 of 190. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

48 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
MOON 330A
MOON 330A
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $4,400
Excellent match
12 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 (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Parasound Halo A23+
Parasound Halo A23+
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 160 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (160 W to 240 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
Eversolo AMP-F10
Eversolo AMP-F10
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $2,480
Good match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (200 W to 320 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Advance Paris X-A160 EVO
Advance Paris X-A160 EVO
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 160 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
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.
5
NAD C298
NAD C298
Power Amplifier · Class D · 185 W into 8 ohms · $3,099
Good match
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
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.
6
Onkyo Icon M-80
Onkyo Icon M-80
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 130 W into 8 ohms · $2,000
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
7
Rotel RB-1582 MkII
Rotel RB-1582 MkII
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
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.
8
Advance Paris X-A220 EVO
Advance Paris X-A220 EVO
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 220 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
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.
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 AE509 specs.

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