Modern stereo specs - quoted 10% THD

[emrr]

Glanced at this little Ipod docking stereo the wife bought for her office; spec on the box states 20 watts total power at 10% THD. I was frankly surprised to even find a spec, but really, quoting power at 10% THD? Such nice round numbers, too. I do understand the kidz will crank this thing up into that range, but I also think they're not reading specs either.

[JR.]

It's probably a little specsmanship to hit a round or marketing significant output power number..

Guitar amps are typically specified at 3% or more for this same reason.

Professional power amps are sometimes specified at 1% instead of typical distortion figures, easily an order of mangintude lower since for a couple kW amp you could be talking tens of watts in that last 1% THD.

I suspect that IPOD amp would not sell as well if rated at 18 Watts.

JR