Another amp question

[jlagnese at massed.net (John S. Lagnese)]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karl Krupke" <kkrup62@hotmail.com>
To: <roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca>; <jarrett@rpa.net>
Cc: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 7:47 PM
Subject: Re: Another amp question


> Hi Jim,
>    I think I might have deleted your original query post along with all 
> the other shrapnel...
>    Here's what I know (I think) about sound systems.
>
> 1) Doesn't really matter the output wattage of the head unit, once your 
> plug in that signal as input to an amplifier then the amp's wattage is the 
> main consisderation for speaker wattage. In other words, the head unit 
> sends only a 'signal' which is then boosted by the amp to provide power to 
> the speakers.
>    That's a very rough explanation, but the relevance is that the amp 
> doesn't care what comes in; it just runs the speakers.
>
> 2) More important is compatibility of amp and speakers. The amp is going 
> to be rated at 80 watts peak power output [ie; cranked] but at that level

That would be RMS (root mean square) as compared to peak power. Adding, not 
stomping

> you'll probably be getting some distortion. I like an amp that I can 
> normally put at about 50-75% of 'maximum' output; I think the sound 
> quality is better if the amp is operating below its maximum limit.
>    Match to 80w (or more) rated speakers and you might have a decent 
> system.
>
> 3) My suggestion would be to price a new complete system... let the car 
> audio techs figure out which parts and pieces will work best together. 
> That might give you a better end result than swapping out one component at 
> a time... (and a 4 channel amp, thus four independant speakers).
>

Karl is correct, you would be better served to stretch on an amp. It will 
not be too much of an expenditure over the life of the unit. It will make 
the system sound much better.


> Good luck. Wait a bit before you do anything; I'm sure a few people will 
> stomp all over this post to correct my mistakes.
>
> Karl
>
>>From: "C Boyko" <roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca>
>>Reply-To: roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca
>>To: Jim Jarrett <jarrett@rpa.net>
>>CC: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
>>Subject: Re: Another amp question
>>Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 15:35:12 -0400
>>
>>On 7:49 am 08/16/06 Jim Jarrett <jarrett@rpa.net> wrote:
>> > If I'm looking at a head unit that puts out between 50- 52 watts, is
>> > it worth it to hook up an amplifier that does 80 watts?
>> >
>> > And if it's a 2-channel amp, then I can only hook up 2 speakers,
>> > right?
>> >
>> > The current setup is that I have a stock radio in the car.  The rear
>> > speakers have been replaced; I don't know about the fronts.  I am
>> > guessing not, cus they sound like crap.  I will probably replace them.
>>
>>
>>No clue about stereo stuff, but what the hell? Did you ever stir the pot!
>>Who the hell is this Spewey anyway, any idea??
>>Cathy
>>
>>
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>
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