Headunit/Speaker selection

Nav_Attack · 09-21-2004, 08:37 PM

for you car audio buffs, got some questions:

first, when a headunit says it supplies 52 watts x 4, does that mean 52 RMS watts?

second, how do you match speakers to a headunit... i.e. for the above mentioned 52x4 should you get 50 watt RMS speakers?

third, and lastly, should you get different speakers for the front/back? i.e. my jeeps got 4 6.5" speakers... should i just get 4 identical speakers, or am i looking for different ranges?

thanks, in advance

Nic · 09-22-2004, 01:26 AM

Head units are rated in Peak, its probably around 20w x 4 RMS, for running off a headunit it dosent matter a great deal matching speakers to your headunits watts, almost all speakers are going to be rated higher than what your headunit can put out anyway. Theres nothing wrong with gettind different speakers for the front/back, i find it good to put splits up the front and coaxials in the back.

techy101 · 09-24-2004, 08:53 AM

Also, Don't let yourself get screwed into paying a lot more money for something with almost no difference in power. The Inverse Square Law states that every time you double the power to a point source, you only gain 3dB, and every time you double the number of point sources (speakers) at the same power you only gain 3dB. 3dB is also the minimum audible change to the human ear, so if you went and got one that said for instance 75W, 2.08dB, which is such a small diference that it would barely if at all be audible.

guavo · 09-27-2004, 10:58 AM

If you already have the carputer setup, go with a 4 channel amp instead of a head-unit... Power is power, but you will get more clean power out of an amp with the same rated power as a headunit.

For speakers, I'm using the CDT Audio Cl-61A's (front doors/A-pillar) and Cl-6 (rear doors) from thezeb.com (http://thezeb.com/detail.aspx?ID=1083). They sound very nice. Especially for $150. Only issue was the tight fit, as they are 2 13/16" deep. Running off a Phoenix Gold 500.4 (http://www.cardomain.com/item/PHOTI5004) which provides a nice 75Wx4 RMS for $339. My carputer is still in the development stages, but once it is finished, it will be replacing my headunit...

ea972271 · 09-27-2004, 11:27 AM

I just added 2 amps rated at 300Watts Each in my car. One amp for my front spearkers and one for my back. My head unit was rated at 45W * 4. HUGE Difference, trust me.

I have 6.5' components in the front and 6 by 9' in the back, all rated at 100W. My deck could not push them before the amps were installed, sounded like crap. If you already have 6.5 all round I suggest you get 6.5 components up front and some normal 6.5's in the back.

I chose to get 2 2 channel amps in stead of a four channel, for a number of reasons.

1) It a was alot cheaper, i found a good deal.
2) I can adjust the gains seperately for front and back speakers.
3) More versatile, If i want to add a sub later etc.

If your adding a comptuer and that computer is going to be your only audio source (no head unit) get some amps!

Hope it all works out.

Matt

ea972271 · 09-27-2004, 11:28 AM

Sorry for my spelling , computer programmers suck at spelling.

or at least that's my excuse!!

frodobaggins · 09-27-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ea972271

Sorry for my spelling , computer programmers suck at spelling.

or at least that's my excuse!!

Not all of us

Slaughterhouse · 09-29-2004, 12:01 PM

there's also a great guy on sounddomain.com that can hook you up on car audio products (including CDT's) for a low price. AIM is DJDIlliodon i believe. HTH