New components but not enough power?

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:02 am

About 200W+ RMS on components really opens them up

Nothing like having headroom

jron · Post by **jron** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:45 am

yeah amplifying components makes a world of difference, especially if they are quality ones.

mikechec9 · Post by **mikechec9** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:53 am

Jonathan wrote:About 200W+ RMS on components really opens them up Nothing like having headroom

Particularly if you're running passives. Any less than 200w with mine and they sound... passive (without authority).
I hit them with 140watts in my active set-up. That's per driver. Wouldn't ever consider anything less.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:57 am

will the components sound better than stock? yes, simply for having more range, a separate tweeter, etc.. but the power is what will really bring them to life.

50 watts per channel is usually plenty (RMS) for an average or typical system.
Some of us go a bit further.
I run 250-300 watts RMS per channel to my front stage, but I have 6 speakers in front, and that's balancing out four times that much power to a pair of subs in back.. it's about balance as much as anything.

MrSo0h0o · Post by **MrSo0h0o** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:47 am

not to steal the thread or anything but i was wondering what was a good wattage combo for components/sub(s). i used to have the components receiving 50wpc and the sub ~175 and it wasnt too bad. but now that the components are receiving ~75wpc and the sub 300wrms sometimes i feel the bass needs to be more to keep up with the loudness of the components, although i think it is a good match. i can hear music very clearly, not bbzzz bzz bzz lol

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:32 am

There are so many variables its really hard to say. 1 to 3 is a good start, but it depends on how you add it all up. Since I am running biamped system it would seem that I am running 600 watts RMS up front, and a 1000 in the back, but thats not really true. Its more like 400 up front and 1000 in the back.

In the end, its more about adjustment. I have a 4 db cut on my sub (thru the head unit) to bring it down closer to flat with my components.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:38 pm

used to say there was a thirds rule.. one third to components, two thirds to subs.. but that's a very general ballpark for a balanced system, and there are always many exceptions to that.
I ran a car with 500 watts to comps and 160W to subs and it balanced well, so it really depends on the car and system.

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:43 pm

The subwoofer market has changed so much in the last 10-15 years, the thirds rule may as well be out the window. Back when power was expensive, manufacturers focused on making subs that were very efficient. If we wanted loud, we ran the subs ported. There are very few examples of these kinds of subs anymore, most of your mid-level subs are relatively inefficient and need around 500W RMS to get going.

It's highly dependant upon your preferences as well. Most people prefer bass to be around 6-9dbs louder than the rest of the music. If you really wanted a flat response, your power to both components would nearly equal that of the sub(s), ex: 100x2 on components and ~200-250W on a sub.

MrSo0h0o · Post by **MrSo0h0o** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:55 pm

i guess basically its all preference? cuz i know for myself, i cant deal with TOO much bass b/c then it takes away from the lyrical pleasures

NViejeP · Post by **NViejeP** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:10 pm

I enjoy bass but not too much. My friends 400 watt rms JL audio sub gave me a headache.

Maybe I should go with a JL Audio 500/5 channel amplifer. Too bad its like $600. That would be ideal, 100 watt front, 25 watt back, and 250 for the sub.

So maybe, i'll just buy the speakers first adn see well that goes.