Ok, John, Mojo, and whoever wants to provide input, here goes.
I dug out my old digital multimeter. About 15 years ago I took an electronics class through the NRI schools. About all I can remember is watts = volts x amps, if I recall correctly.
So, how about I hook up the multimeter between the speaker terminals on the amp, and the 12AWG wire going to my m80's. Then watch the current (amp) readings as I slowly turn up the volume while listening to music. If I make note of the reading at the time the amps shut down, could I not figure out the watts, and see if I truely am even close to 300 watts?
I just want to be in the ballpark, so when I call Emotiva I've got a little evidence, other than the Radio Shack SPL readings.