What amplifier does the BW HTM71 S2 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 296 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.
BW HTM71 S2
BW HTM71 S2
Center Channel
89 dB · 8 ohm
dips to 3 ohm
$1,999 a pair
Full specs →
Power needed
9.5–150 W
per channel, into 8 ohms

To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of BW HTM71 S2, you need at least 9.5 W a channel. Anything from about 19 W to 150 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
  • -87.0 dB effective sensitivity
  • 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
  • Published sensitivity 89 dB, used as 87.0 dB per watt.

Parasound JCM250 with the BW HTM71 S2

Good match
14 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
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.
A power amplifier: you will need a preamplifier, or a streamer with a volume control, as well.
Full Parasound JCM250 specs · Clear this amp
 
$90 $25,000

227 integrated amplifiers suit the BW HTM71 S2

Also show the 1 we do not recommend
1
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Rogue Audio Sphinx v3
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $1,795
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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
Onkyo Muse Y-50
Onkyo Muse Y-50
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 125 W into 8 ohms · $1,500
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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.
3
Rotel A14 MKII
Rotel A14 MKII
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $1,600
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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.
4
Emotiva BasX TA2+
Emotiva BasX TA2+
Stereo Receiver · Class A/B · 135 W into 8 ohms · $1,299
Workable with care
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (135 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
Musical Fidelity M2si
Musical Fidelity M2si
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 76 W into 8 ohms · $1,299
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (76 W to 135 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Hegel H95
Hegel H95
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 60 W into 8 ohms · $2,000
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.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
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
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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.
8
Denon PMA-1700NE
Denon PMA-1700NE
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 70 W into 8 ohms · $2,099
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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.
9
WiiM Vibelink
WiiM Vibelink
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 100 W into 8 ohms · $299
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 3 ohms, comfortable with an 8 ohm speaker that dips to 3.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Well below the speakers - leaves money on the table, but nothing wrong with it.
10
Arcam SA20
Arcam SA20
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 90 W into 8 ohms · $1,650
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
Arcam A25
Arcam A25
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 100 W into 8 ohms · $1,499
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 165 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
12
Onkyo Icon A-50
Onkyo Icon A-50
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 110 W into 8 ohms · $1,600
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (110 W to 180 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
13
Rotel S14
Rotel S14
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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.
14
Mark Levinson No.5802
Mark Levinson No.5802
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $8,500
Excellent 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 (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
15
Cambridge Audio CXA81
Cambridge Audio CXA81
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 80 W into 8 ohms · $1,499
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (80 W to 120 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
16
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Cambridge Audio Evo 75
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $2,499
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
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.
17
JBL SA550 C
JBL SA550 C
Integrated Amplifier · Class G · 90 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
Mark Levinson No.5805
Mark Levinson No.5805
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 125 W into 8 ohms · $10,500
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 (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Far more expensive than the speakers. Spend it on speakers first.
19
Anthem STR
Anthem STR
Integrated Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $5,000
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 nearly doubles into 4 ohms (200 W to 400 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
20
Onkyo Muse Y-40
Onkyo Muse Y-40
Integrated Amplifier · Class D · 75 W into 8 ohms · $1,000
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (75 W to 150 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.

Showing the best 20 of 227. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.

68 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
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.
2
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.
3
PS Audio Stellar S300
PS Audio Stellar S300
Power Amplifier · Class D · 140 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
Workable with care
12 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (140 W to 300 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Naim NAP 250
Naim NAP 250
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 100 W into 8 ohms · $8,999
Excellent 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 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.
5
Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2
Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 225 W into 8 ohms · $2,300
Good match
14 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.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
6
Schiit Wotan
Schiit Wotan
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 200 W into 8 ohms · $1,999
Workable with care
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (200 W to 400 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Parasound JCM250
Parasound JCM250
Power Amplifier · Class A/AB · 250 W into 8 ohms · $4,250
Good match
14 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
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.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
8
Accuphase P-4600
Accuphase P-4600
Power Amplifier · Class A/B · 150 W into 8 ohms · $13,975
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 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.
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 BW HTM71 S2 specs.

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