Amp RMS: How much is too much?

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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited June 2005
    My favorite was about a year ago when I was talking to a Best Buy sales dude about a Rockford Fosgate 75x2 amp and he was trying to sell me a cap for that!!!

    150 watts and he insisted I needed a cap!
    :rolleyes:
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
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    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • cmp
    cmp Posts: 13
    edited June 2005
    So, to reel this thing back in...

    I ended up buying the 10" momo sub. My setup now is DB650s and DB525s in parallel on the front channel, and the 2104 bridged on the rear.

    With regard to the soundstage, I mentioned earlier that I like my sound more to the rear than the front. I suppose the reason for this is that I when I like to play it loud, I don't like it blasting straight into my ears. Just my personal preference, that's all. Anyhow, of course now that's not really possible to adjust. Rearward fade brings out focus on the sub, which, depending on what I'm listening to, isn't a bad thing to have really.

    But if I had to do things over, I'd like to work in a way to make the front, rear, and sub truly independent.

    The sub is nice, I'll chat more about that in the subwoofer forum!
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited June 2005
    Originally posted by cmp
    The sub is nice, I'll chat more about that in the subwoofer forum!

    Good! I'd love to hear your thoughts about it, as I'm currently looking at subs.
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited June 2005
    Originally posted by cmp
    I have a pair of Polk db650s (max 60w rms) up front and db525s (max 45w rms) in the back. I am currently powering them with an Alpine V-Drive headunit. Great unit, but the power just isn't there, in spite of what the V-Drive is supposed to offer. So I'm off to pick an amp.

    When I asked Crutchfield how much RMS amp power I should use to drive these speakers, they were a bit vague. On the one hand, they said that pushing them with 60W RMS would be no problem. Then they said, "well, but if you want to follow polk's numbers, select something lower". Then they recommended a Rockford Fosgate P4004, which I've read puts out much more than the advertised 50w RMS (some folks claimed to be getting 70+). Would something like the P4004 cook these speakers, or would I be in the clear? Definitely a sweet looking unit, but I don't want to do anything...stupid! Thanks all.

    I always think this way: rated power is always at 14.4 volts or sometimes 12volts (rarely are they given at 13.2-13.5, which is what a regular electrical system puts out) so, at that range, it might be putting out less than as rated.

    Always get an amp with around 15 - 20% headroom.
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited June 2005
    Virtually all quality amps (i.e. NOT Alphasonik or Audiobahn) easily exceed their rated power so much that you can be sure youre getting at least the rated power at pretty much any voltage.

    Take my Crossfires, every test Ive ever seen of them, they exceed their 14.4 volt rating at 12.5 volts so I am assured that my 50x4 is putting out at least that much.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited June 2005
    I cant wait to bench test my USAmps when i get them...
    -Cody
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited June 2005
    Yeah, Im curious as to see how those perfrom as well. Im sure theyre overachievers as well but Im curious as to by how much.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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