Maximum amount of power in watts an amplifier can put out or maximum amount of power in watts a speaker can be driven with. ower ratings in amplifiers are of two types – RMS and peak. RMS power is continuous power that the amplifier is capable of outputting over long periods. Peak power is short-term power that an amplifier is capable of briefly outputting when faced with sudden, high-energy signals.ower is derived from the following formula: power = voltage X current. Alternately, power is equal to voltage squared divided by resistance/impedance as measured in ohms. Generally, you would be seeking RMS power and would use RMS voltage and RMS current to determine the RMS power.MS power and peak power are related by headroom. An amplifier the capacity to produce 100 watts of RMS (continuous) power and having a 3dB headroom can output 200 watts of peak power.ower ratings in speakers refer to the manufacturer’s estimates of the maximum rated power amplifier that should be connected to the speaker. A speaker’s power rating is generally only an estimate of the size amplifier that should be connected. In fact, amplifier distortion is what generally creates speaker problems and causes speaker failure, not too much power. High power amplifiers tend to have less distortion than their lower power siblings enabling speakers to play louder and cleaner. An increase in clean, undistorted power benefits speakers by enabling them to generate clean, high output levels. Speakers’ power ratings, or recommended power, can be generally ignored. It is more important that the amplifier is clean and high quality with high power helping to ensure speakers will not distort and have problems.