Senator, you certainly don't need to describe what you found as "limited perception". It's quite typical for your age(if you're 24 as I was when I graduated)and is more than sufficient for full enjoyment of the great music available to us.
As to the power requirements, a watt is a defined unit of electrical power and doesn't vary with the type of unit supplying it. No more is needed with a separate amplifier than is needed with a receiver. With speakers of average or slightly higher sensitivity, such as the Axioms, typical receivers(or separate amplifiers)rated anywhere in the 100-150 watt area can drive them to all safe(to your hearing)listening levels or beyond.
