Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Demophobe]

I don't know a whole bunch about audio setups, and I recently installed a head unit that delivers 52w per channel (peak) 23RMS. Now, I had 300w coaxial speakers installed, which is just ridiculous for the power behind it.

Specs for headunit: Sony CDX-R3300S
Key Features *23.2 watts RMS/52 peak x 4 channels * Detachable face *Plays CD-Rs/CD-RWs * Additional Features & Specifications *Random folder play *10 Hz-20 kHz CD frequency response *120 dB CD signal to noise ratio *Two volts of pre-amp output *EQ3 (3-band equalizer and 7 preset tone curves) *Rear preamp outputs *Low-pass Filter

Questions:

1. I realize that cranking up the volume with insufficient power will lead to the amp clipping. This will lead to speaker damage. Now, utilizing the low-pass filter on the deck will help for high-end frequencies, but what about low-end? At what point will low-end clipping occur and damage the woofers?

2. The power is grossly out of sync between the amp and the speakers. Would lower-watt speakers be more appropriate if I didn't buy a more powerful amplifier? Say 75~100w. ?

3. Would buying more power (an amp) help with "clean" power? Would this then take away some of my fears of blowing the speakers? Does having "clean" power actually allow one to get more volume from the speakers without fear of clipping and thus blowing?

If so, I should them theoretically get lower watt speakers, or more power. Both of these solutions would create a "cleaner" signal and decrease the liklihood of clipping. Yes?

4. I don't really get the volume of the headset over 26 or 27. I assume this is out of a possible 100. When do you suppose the amp will clip? What do you think the threshold would be? My guess would be over 70, but maybe I'm wrong.

Anyways, I wonder if anyone can help me here. I just don't want to blow my speakers due to underpowered clipping. The sound is really good, especially in the bass department. The speakers are an obscure brand (I can't find much in English on them) but they sound good.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

I think this is the first time I've actually asked a question in tech...

[eamo]

Well Demophobe. It's a pleasure for once to help you out!!!

I was a hi-fi nut in my past life in the old country.

You really don't want to run with the weak amp/big speaker set-up. Not if you want to crank it up now and then. As you say. the amp will send a distorted signal to the speakers which will eventually fuse the coils.

The one and only rule with audio is MORE POWER!

The amp is the heart of any set-up. To achieve sonic satisfaction (....what am I talking about???...) you must invest in the most powerful amp you can find and install. Put it in the trunk if needs be.

There's a myth that a big amp will fry small speakers. That shouldn't happen. If the signal is clean the speakers will perform.

[Demophobe]

Thanks mate. You certainly solidified my thinking in this matter.

Seems there are 2 courses to take:

1. Get lower-watt speakers, more suitable to the amp.

2. Buy more power.

Gosh....more power sounds nice.

Thanks again.

[white_shadow]

You really shouldn't turn up head units and cheap speakers. Your best bet is to buy an x-channel amp, fed via rca's. Then upgrade your speakers to decent quality components. Good component sets come with filter networks so you can dump that crossover set that you have. As far as low end is concerned You'll need a dedicated sub and amplifier. There are multichannel amps and setups that use one single amps, but this results in a fixed gain. So I like to have dedicated amps.

As far as clipping and distortion, with an upgrade you shouldn't experience any. Ideally you want an amplifier that can put out similar power that the speaker can handle. This has to do with speaker mechanics and headroom, and is not much of a concern. Don't trust manufacturers specs such as the speakers power handling. I can tell you that 300 watts is alot of power, similar to the wattage used to power movie theater speakers. The 300 watt rating is probably due to the low efficiency of the speaker, I'd say 82 dB/m. Check it out on the back of the speaker.