They are misleading numbers...and they don't mean a thing..

Do live comparisons and you will find the older gear with more realistic numbers out perform the big numbers..

Over the years I have done this many times..

I have Roland Cube 100's for more than 30 years.. and swear by them.

Some comparisons:

With my shore band, we played some big outdoor venues as well as convention halls..

I recall a boardwalk performance that we needed to cover a wide selection of boardwalk and surrounding area.

The promoter had a Mackie set up Mackie 300 speakers and Mackie power amp..

We set up Yorkville NX520p 550 watts x2 ., also a Yorkville sub..

I set up a pair of Roland Cube 100's ..

I controlled our set up with a Mackie CFX12 mixer, and controlled the feed to the Promoter's system..

At a point where the level was kicking in limiters to the Yorkville system and the Mackie system...the low rated (100 watt each)Roland's kept the show moving..

Even when all systems were working, I had headroom on the Roland system, and the Roland's could be heard above peaked Yorkville and Mackie systems..

Even bass carried better with Roland..

Now tell me how can this be?

Roland did not over rate their stuff back then..as many other companies..
Today they think nothing of stating big numbers that don't show true in the field..

Another time we played a large high ceiling (50 feet plus) convention center.. our stage level was 25 feet above the main floor, and across the way 100 feet, balconies at our level..

I used a pair of Roland Cube 100's... easily covered the venue..
The promoter remarked how excellent the sound coverage was..

Now tell me.. how can this be..

All these examples the units were on poles...

Roland amps are never on poles, I keep them on the floor always..

I know there is an opinion the 100 watts is a bench mark, and doubling the wattage only reflects in 10 percent volume increase..

But my experience the 100 watts out performs the 500 watt rated amps..

Most of the over rated units are bi amped two way systems..

Roland is a three way system.. single amp..