What amplifier does the Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX 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.

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.
Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX
Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX
In-wall
83 dB · 6 ohm
$429 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
50–795 W
per channel, into 6 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX, you need at least 50 W a channel. Anything from about 100 W to 795 W a channel is comfortable; past that, more watts stop buying you anything.

Show the working
  • 95 dB target at the seat
  • +4.8 dB for 3.0 m of distance
  • -3 dB for a stereo pair
  • -79.8 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 83 dB, used as 79.8 dB per watt.

Michi S5 with the Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX

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 (580 W to 800 W).
A power amplifier: you will need a preamplifier, or a streamer with a volume control, as well.
Full Michi S5 specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

168 integrated amplifiers suit the Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX

Also show the 85 we do not recommend
1
Peachtree Carina
Peachtree Carina
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
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 (300 W to 580 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
2
Cambridge Audio Evo 300
Cambridge Audio Evo 300
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $3,999
Good 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 (300 W to 550 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
3
Marantz Model 10
Marantz Model 10
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 250 W into 8 ohms · $15,000
Good 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 (250 W to 500 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
4
Michi X5 Series 2
Michi X5 Series 2
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 390 W into 8 ohms · $9,499
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 (390 W to 600 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
5
Peachtree nova300
Peachtree nova300
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 300 W into 8 ohms · $1,499
Good 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 rises usefully into 4 ohms (300 W to 450 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
6
WiiM Vibelink
WiiM Vibelink
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $299
Good match
5 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
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.
7
Anthem STR
Anthem STR
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $5,000
Good match
8 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 (200 W to 400 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
8
Marantz PM-10
Marantz PM-10
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 200 W into 8 ohms · $8,999
Good match
8 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 (200 W to 400 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
9
NAD Masters Series M33
NAD Masters Series M33
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 200 W into 8 ohms · $6,499
Good match
8 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 (200 W to 380 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
10
NAD Masters Series M33 V2
NAD Masters Series M33 V2
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 200 W into 8 ohms · $7,399
Good match
8 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 (200 W to 380 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
11
Sonos Amp
Sonos Amp
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 125 W into 8 ohms · $699
Good match
6 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
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.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
12
HiFi Rose RA180
HiFi Rose RA180
Integrated Amplifier · Class AD · 400 W into 8 ohms · $6,995
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Rated at the same 400 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
13
WiiM Amp Pro
WiiM Amp Pro
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $379
Good match
3 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
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.
14
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Rotel Diamond RA-6000
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 235 W into 8 ohms · $4,499
Good match
8 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 (235 W to 350 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
15
Michi X3 Series 2
Michi X3 Series 2
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 235 W into 8 ohms · $7,499
Good match
8 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 (235 W to 350 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
16
WiiM Amp
WiiM Amp
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $299
Good match
3 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
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.
17
OSD Nero Stream XD2
OSD Nero Stream XD2
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 60 W into 8 ohms · $400
Good match
3 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
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.
18
Michi Prestige X430
Michi Prestige X430
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 220 W into 8 ohms · $4,999
Good match
7 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 (220 W to 340 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
19
Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Rotel RA-1592 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $3,200
Good match
7 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
Rated down to 4 ohms, comfortable with a 6 ohm speaker.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (200 W to 350 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
20
Buchardt I150
Buchardt I150
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 150 W into 8 ohms · $2,500
Workable
7 dB of headroom - enough, but at the modest end for this speaker, which takes up to 795 W.
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.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.

Showing the best 20 of 168. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

44 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
Mark Levinson No.536
Mark Levinson No.536
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 400 W into 8 ohms · $18,500
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 nearly doubles into 4 ohms (400 W to 800 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
2
Parasound Halo JC1+
Parasound Halo JC1+
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 450 W into 8 ohms · $8,500
Good match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 1 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (450 W to 850 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
3
Mark Levinson No.534
Mark Levinson No.534
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 250 W into 8 ohms · $25,000
Good match
9 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 (250 W to 500 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
4
Parasound JCM250
Parasound JCM250
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 250 W into 8 ohms · $4,250
Good match
8 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 1 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (250 W to 450 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
5
Anthem STR Power Amplifier
Anthem STR Power Amplifier
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 400 W into 8 ohms · $6,500
Good match
10 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 (400 W to 600 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
6
Parasound Halo JC5
Parasound Halo JC5
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 400 W into 8 ohms · $7,000
Good match
10 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 (400 W to 600 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
7
Michi S5
Michi S5
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 580 W into 8 ohms · $9,499
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 (580 W to 800 W).
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
8
T+A M 200
T+A M 200
Power Amplifier · Class D · 210 W into 8 ohms · $5,995
Good match
8 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 (210 W to 420 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
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 Definitive Technology DW 45 MAX specs.

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