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by **falkenbd** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:24 pm

Since the rating is RMS at 14.4 volts, and not a MAX rating, I think its safe to assume you'll get 350 watts at whatever your alternator is running at.

Set your gain the right way, maybe using a bit of overlap, make sure your wiring is installed properly and make sure you don't give yourself the opportunity to smoke the amp and everything will remain safe and sound.

Get that sub in a well designed well built box, and it'll get pretty loud with that wattage.

by **Bwcad1** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:13 pm

There is a way to measure the actual output of an amp but you need some tools. DMM and a Clamp Meter and preferably an oscilloscope.

Your pioneer will put out close to rated power. I think you will be fine using that for now.

by **oilspot** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:12 pm

falkenbd wrote:well.... rating and actual output are not the same.
a 300 watt rated amp from one company might put out 150 watts while another does 330...
I'm talking about actual output.
If your amp has 350 watts of actual output on a test tone, you should be alright on music. Just make sure you set it up right.

Is there a sticky or mabey a good link to getting measurements on this?
I don't have a clue on how to go about this!

by **falkenbd** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:04 pm

oilspot wrote:So with a high dollar amp with the same Rms rating I may not notice any differance?
Everything i've been told up till now is that it would be like a night and day difference.

well.... rating and actual output are not the same.

a 300 watt rated amp from one company might put out 150 watts while another does 330...

I'm talking about actual output.

If your amp has 350 watts of actual output on a test tone, you should be alright on music. Just make sure you set it up right.

by **oilspot** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:53 pm

falkenbd wrote: If its really 380 rms, you are going to spend a lot to get an amp that will get you noticeable gains.
To get a noticeable jump in output you'd need to double the power. Building a nice ported box could gain you a lot more.

So with a high dollar amp with the same Rms rating I may not notice any differance?
Everything i've been told up till now is that it would be like a night and day difference.

by **MobileAudio219** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:11 am

I'd run with it and see how it does.

If you had no amp and was looking for one I probably wouldn't suggest buy it, but since you already have it you might as well use it.

by **callandor2k** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 9:36 am

According to Pioneers website the rated power of the 520t is as follows....

Maximum power output.......................... 250 W × 2 ( 4 &#937

/ 760 W × 1 ( 4 &#937

Continuous power output ...................... 125 W × 2 (at 14.4 V, 4 Ω, 20 Hz — 20 kHz 0.2% THD)
380 W × 1 (at 14.4 V, 4 Ω, 20 Hz — 20 kHz 0.8% THD)
190 W × 2 (at 14.4 V, 2 Ω, 20 Hz — 20 kHz 0.8% THD)
Load impedance.................................... 4 Ω (2 — 8 Ω allowable)
(Bridge connection: 4 — 8 Ω allowable)

Here is a link to the owners manual...
Pioneer 520t

by **falkenbd** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:43 am

The first thing I'm going to say is, figure out the actual rms power rating of that amp.

If its really 380 rms, you are going to spend a lot to get an amp that will get you noticeable gains. I have a feeling however, that may be a max rating.

To get a noticeable jump in output you'd need to double the power. Building a nice ported box could gain you a lot more.

by **oilspot** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:57 am

Am i correct in thinking that; rated on a scale of 1 to 10, that my cheap little pioneer 520t is mabey a 1.3

.

A lot of good info on here! Something tells me that good value isn't the first thing on the minds of the people at the local car audio place.

by **Bwcad1** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:58 am

Welcome, thats really up to you the amp isnt gonna hurt it unless you drive it to. So if it were me bass over no bass any day :)

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I'm guessing i should wait?

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