I read one article where they said distortion was like twice the power. So if you distort 50 watts i could be like 100 watts to the speakers if its distorted. Most respectable amp companies underrate their amps. Some "cheater amps" will make twice or more than rated power. They under rate them so they can keep you in a lower power class in compititions. Most are like 10 or 20 watts more or less. If its like a 1000 watt amp its probably 100 or so or maybe more. The spec sheat on my phoenix gold xs2200 rated for 200 watts does 240 or so.