When purchasing amps and speakers do I want to match their rms powers. For example if I get front speakers with a RMS power handling of 40 W do I want an amp with 40 W/ch. Or do I want more power from the amp. I know from electronics when you are building something you want your power supply to be able to provide twice the current you need so you don't load the supply down. Is something similar true for car audio.

 

typically with my systems I try to get the RMS values fairly close between the speakers and the amp...

 

I usually match up or buy a bit more powerful amp. There is no need to spend so much if you are only using so much power.