RMS or Root Mean Square is on a sinusoidal signal is easy. You take the peak Voltage and multiple it by .707. This is well done on the web and such so to say the lower RMS is good is garbage.
There must be a typo in this post.
1000 is greater than 85 x 5 even if we use .707 in either side of the calculation.
But that 1000 Watts was likely spread over the set of speakers and did you always have it running at full power?
Note: edited for typo.
I have been looking at a new Surround Sound system and I don't quite understand how to figure out the power output. On the power output it sais "Maximum power output per channel - RMS into 8 ohms" and next to that (i assume in Watts) it sais "85 x 5" which I assume the x5 is for the 5 speakers. I have looked about and vaguely know that the lower the RMS is the better,but still don't quite understand it. My old surround sound said it was 1000W but I dont know if this one is more powerful or less powerful (I cant find the RMS for it anywhere). Can anyone help?

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