What amplifier does the JBL L82 Classic 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 295 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.
JBL L82 Classic
JBL L82 Classic
Bookshelf
88 dB · 8 ohm
$2,750 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
12–125 W
per channel, into 8 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of JBL L82 Classic, you need at least 12 W a channel. More than 125 W is wasted here - that is all JBL 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
  • -86.0 dB effective sensitivity
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 88 dB, used as 86.0 dB per watt.

Marantz Model 30 with the JBL L82 Classic

Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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

225 integrated amplifiers suit the JBL L82 Classic

Also show the 3 we do not recommend
1
Buchardt I150
Buchardt I150
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 150 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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.
2
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $1,795
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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.
3
Marantz Model 30
Marantz Model 30
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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.
4
Onkyo Muse Y-50
Onkyo Muse Y-50
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 125 W into 8 ohms · $1,500
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
5
Rotel RA-1572 MKII
Rotel RA-1572 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 120 W into 8 ohms · $2,100
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (120 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Advance Paris Playstream A7
Advance Paris Playstream A7
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 115 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (115 W to 180 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Rotel S14
Rotel S14
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Excellent match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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.
8
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $3,495
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Has a 8 ohm tap, which is exactly what this 8 ohm speaker wants. Taps: 4 / 8 ohm.
A valve amplifier makes the same power on each tap, so what matters is sensitivity - and at 86.0 dB this speaker is efficient enough that 100 W is comfortable.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
9
Emotiva BasX TA2+
Emotiva BasX TA2+
Stereo Receiver · Class A/B · 135 W into 8 ohms · $1,299
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (135 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
10
Cambridge EXA100
Cambridge EXA100
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,199
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 155 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Excellent match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 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.
12
Advance Paris A10 Classic
Advance Paris A10 Classic
Integrated Amplifier · Class AB-T · 130 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 an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (130 W to 190 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
13
JBL SA750 75th Anniversary Edition
JBL SA750 75th Anniversary Edition
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 130 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 an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (130 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
14
Rotel RAS-5000
Rotel RAS-5000
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 140 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 an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (140 W to 220 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
15
Rotel A14 MKII
Rotel A14 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $1,600
Excellent match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
16
Onkyo Icon A-50
Onkyo Icon A-50
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 110 W into 8 ohms · $1,600
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (110 W to 180 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
17
JBL SA550 C
JBL SA550 C
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 90 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
Audiolab 9000A
Audiolab 9000A
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $2,999
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 160 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
19
Arcam SA35
Arcam SA35
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 120 W into 8 ohms · $3,300
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (120 W to 200 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
20
Peachtree Carina
Peachtree Carina
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
Workable with care
14 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it. Well above the 125 W the maker rates the speaker for, so keep an eye on the volume knob.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (300 W to 580 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.

Showing the best 20 of 225. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

67 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
Parasound Halo A23+
Parasound Halo A23+
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 160 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Good match
11 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 rises usefully into 4 ohms (160 W to 240 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Eversolo AMP-F10
Eversolo AMP-F10
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $2,480
Workable with care
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it. Well above the 125 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 rises usefully into 4 ohms (200 W to 320 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
3
MOON 330A
MOON 330A
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $4,400
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
4
Rogue Audio Stereo 100
Rogue Audio Stereo 100
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $4,195
Excellent match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Has a 8 ohm tap, which is exactly what this 8 ohm speaker wants. Taps: 4 / 8 ohm.
A valve amplifier makes the same power on each tap, so what matters is sensitivity - and at 86.0 dB this speaker is efficient enough that 100 W is comfortable.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
5
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 an 8 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
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 an 8 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Rotel RB-1552 MkII
Rotel RB-1552 MkII
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 130 W into 8 ohms · $1,699
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
No 4 ohm power rating on file, so we cannot judge current delivery.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
Parasound NewClassic 2125 v.2
Parasound NewClassic 2125 v.2
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 150 W into 8 ohms · $1,250
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (150 W to 225 W).
Sensible value pick against these 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 JBL L82 Classic specs.

More tools

💰
System Budget Planner
Split a total across speakers, amplifier and subwoofer, then fill every slot with real models that work together.
📏️
Will It Fit? Speaker Size Finder
Measure your shelf or alcove and see every speaker that goes in it, with a warning where a rear port needs more room than the box does.
🔌
Speaker Wire Gauge Calculator
How thick your speaker cable needs to be for the run length and impedance, and what you lose if it is too thin.
Speaker Impedance Calculator
Wire two or more speakers in series or parallel and see the load your amplifier actually sees.
📏
Speaker Placement Calculator
A plan view of your room: speaker spacing, wall distances, where the bass cancels and where the first reflection lands.
🎸
Subwoofer Crossover Calculator
Where to set the crossover between your speakers and a subwoofer, and which reason is driving the answer.
🎧
Speaker Test Tones
Channel check, polarity, bass extension and frequency sweeps, generated in your browser. Nothing to download.
🏠
Room Mode Calculator
The frequencies your room reinforces and cancels, where they pile up, and what to move first.
📣
SPL & Amplifier Power Calculator
How loud a speaker plays for a given power at a given distance - or how many watts you need for a target level.