25 volt is normal for school intercom partly because of the low voltage requirements as Jeff said and also because they don't need much power to each speaker. 1/4-1/2 watt is normal
The muffled could be either the amp is overloaded or an impedance mismatch on the input. You can run both a regular amp and self powered from the same source but you need to isolate both conductors of the signal from each other system so not to have bleed over.


Merritt

Business Telephones & Equipment + Commercial Audio/Video Products
Commercial Communications . . . Turner, Maine
If it was built after 1980 don't expect it to work right.