New components but not enough power?

NViejeP · Post by **NViejeP** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:21 pm

I have a question for all you experts. I'm purchasing a new set of components and plan to eventually power them with an amplifer but I can onyl afford the speakers for now.

My question is, can I upgrade the new components which are 100 watt RMS, power them to my head unit which is 20 RMS and still get good quality from it? I know it wont be anywhere near what it should be, but its just a temporary solution. Or should I just wait and I can get it all it in one?

Thanks in advance.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 6:50 pm

they'll work, sure.. you'll just lack definition, detail, and a lot of midbass, lower midrange responce.
a 50WPC amp would really open them up.

MrSo0h0o · Post by **MrSo0h0o** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:19 pm

it will make a big difference. i remember when i first got my components and ran them off my HU(they were in coaxial mode; yea they are able to do that) and compared to my stock speakers, they just didnt sound as good.. i asked this question back then and the answer i got was b/c the aftermarket speakers needed more juice to get em moving, plus the stock speakers had a lower? sensitivity which in turn allowed for more output at a lower wattage rating. sound right?

solacedagony · Post by **solacedagony** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 7:42 pm

Higher sensitivity allows for high volume with the same power.

NViejeP · Post by **NViejeP** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:15 pm

GlassWolf wrote:they'll work, sure.. you'll just lack definition, detail, and a lot of midbass, lower midrange responce.
a 50WPC amp would really open them up.

Will they sound better than my stock though?

Would you guys just suggest I hold off till I get my amplifer? I plan on getting a 50 watts per channel amp, would that really be sufficient or should I be searching for mroe power? Would a 50 wpc amp with 2 channels bridged for a subwoofer be enough? I don't expect too much, I don't like too much bass.

sinister audio · Post by **sinister audio** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:18 pm

i like running a ton of power on my mids. i have a 100X4 bridged for my comps and they love it. just have to watch the gains.

brent · Post by **brent** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:29 pm

100x4.
That is a lot of power

MrSo0h0o · Post by **MrSo0h0o** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:30 pm

i have ~75 watts per ch running to my components which have a rms rating of 120 and they sound damn good. i bet they would sound much better with more power though.

lotas · Post by **lotas** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:02 pm

NViejeP wrote:Will they sound better than my stock though?
Would you guys just suggest I hold off till I get my amplifer? I plan on getting a 50 watts per channel amp, would that really be sufficient or should I be searching for mroe power? Would a 50 wpc amp with 2 channels bridged for a subwoofer be enough? I don't expect too much, I don't like too much bass.

Just want to clarify that you know the difference between RMS/continous and max/peak ratings and how a speaker/driver does not need its full rms to reach peak output? All the info about that? If you don't, let me know and I'll go into more detail. But typically you want around 75-80% of the speaker's RMS. For instance, for the sake of easy math, if your speaker's RMS rating was 100watts, you would want an amplifier that was say 75x2 or 100x2 or something of that nature. Also keep in mind that out the nicer brands of amplifiers, some will be underrated. The same goes with the lower quality amps, those tend to be overrated. So if its a shitty amp (pardon my French) and it says it does 150w x 2 channels, don't always count on it. Also keep in mind those ratings are from a clean signal, so if you're clipping at all--those numbers can go out the door and you are most likely going to damage a speaker. Don't clip! Don't distort! Watch those gains!

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:04 am

It will sound better than your stock speakers but dont get hooked and loose sight of the amplifier for them.

Once you amp them you will be in shock how much better they sound over them not amped...