i want to learn about stereo/ speaker watts and rms and stuff

[sdhardcoregamer]

where can a newb to car audio learn about this kinda stuff? i saw a link for www.bcae1.com but thats alot of reading, im looking for maybe a shorter version to get a good grasp on whats what faster while i read the novel that is bcae1.com.

i have sony stuff and want to get new speakers, i have 2 amps, 2 subs and my 4 speakers and i dont really know how the watts and rms watts relate from the amps to the speakers. i want to get new front speakers and wanna size them properly i guess, any help so ill know better and be an educated shopper?

also i wanna learn about 2 way, 3 way, and 4 way and whats the difference and what applications there for. thx for any helpful info

[sdhardcoregamer]

id also like to learn something about "componant" speakers? im lost with car audio. im sure we all were at some point :P

[sonikaccord]

where can a newb to car audio learn about this kinda stuff? i saw a link for www.bcae1.com but thats alot of reading, im looking for maybe a shorter version to get a good grasp on whats what faster while i read the novel that is bcae1.com.

i have sony stuff and want to get new speakers, i have 2 amps, 2 subs and my 4 speakers and i dont really know how the watts and rms watts relate from the amps to the speakers. i want to get new front speakers and wanna size them properly i guess, any help so ill know better and be an educated shopper?

also i wanna learn about 2 way, 3 way, and 4 way and whats the difference and what applications there for. thx for any helpful info

id also like to learn something about "componant" speakers? im lost with car audio. im sure we all were at some point :P

Wattage is a measure of power. Amps deliver power and speakers take power. Power handling (thermal) tells how many watts a speaker can take before the voice coil overheats and magic smoke comes out. Rms watts are how many watts a speaker can take or amp can deliver continuously over a period of time.

2 way, 3 way, etc is the amount of transducers in system with each one playing a dedicated frequency band.
ex. a 2 way is a woofer and a tweeter. (mid and high.) a 3 way is a woofer midrange and tweeter (midbass, midrange, high)

A component system has separated speakers instead of coaxial(speakers "co"exist on one "axis")

Anymore questions?

[sdhardcoregamer]

Ya, so how should I compare speakers to amps when picking out new speakers for my system? Should I get higher rms/ peak watts on the speaker then the amp produces then? Should I stay close as possible? Or can I go way higher on my speakers? Any tips?

[sonikaccord]

well the general rule is to get more amp than your speaker can handle, that way you don't overdrive your amp trying to get more volume out of your speaker. I've overdriven many speakers but never blown one(unintentionally ). Always look at rms watts.
The amount of power your speaker can take varies. Honestly you'll never know how much you run to it unless you have a voltmeter/ampmeter to it all the time. I just go until I hear/smell signs of stress and then back down on the gains some.

[mattman]

when choosing speakers you need to make sure that you add up the peak watts.. and rms of the speakers you will connect to the amp. if your amp has 1000 watts peak and 500 rms lets say, and your speakers only add up to 700 watts peak and 250 rms.. welll then chances are you may blow those speakers cause the amp is putting out more power then the speakers can handle. Now you can run them regardless, and just make sure you don't turn the volume up to loud, or set the gain on the amp to its lowest setting. But no matter what it is always better to pair your speakers as close as possible to the power rating on your amp both to protect your speakers, as well as get the most sound out of your investment

[sdhardcoregamer]

So the more ways a speaker has the better? And more rms and peak watts on your amp is better then more on your speakers?

[visualpoet]

http://www.caraudiobook.com/

http://www.the12volt.com/

Try these, they should answer about 99% of the things you need to know to build a system. My first piece of advice is to stay away from Sony car audio products and any other piece of equipment that seems too good to be true.
I applaud your quest for knowledge, but there is a LOT of information to learn, and it's much easier on everyone if you just go read it instead of asking a question, waiting for a reply, then asking a question about the answer you got, and waiting for a reply. You could have already gotten a good basic knowledge of the subject by now.

[mattman]

http://www.caraudiobook.com/

http://www.the12volt.com/

Try these, they should answer about 99% of the things you need to know to build a system. My first piece of advice is to stay away from Sony car audio products and any other piece of equipment that seems too good to be true.
I applaud your quest for knowledge, but there is a LOT of information to learn, and it's much easier on everyone if you just go read it instead of asking a question, waiting for a reply, then asking a question about the answer you got, and waiting for a reply. You could have already gotten a good basic knowledge of the subject by now.

word. Another great place to both learn and order from is Crutchfield.com - http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Tab/Learn.aspx
They have great customer service and make sure you are in the know when it comes to stereos. good luck!

[sdhardcoregamer]

Ok well reading it all it is then. Thx for the resources. I have heard that Sony is bad but I had all this for like4-6 years and I'm just working with my excisting system.not alot of spending money. My front driver speaker is going out and I was wanting to put the oem pod/box back in so I'm gonna replace my front speakers. :P when I'm done reading up on what's what. Thx again

[royalaccord92]

Older sony stuff was actually made good. If you have xplod stuff older then I'd say 3 years it's ok made stuff so thats a good place to start.

[sonikaccord]

Sony es was solid

[royalaccord92]

Yeah the mobile es stuff. I have one of the old 5 channel amp's from 2001 and it rocks all 4 speakers and a sub.

[sdhardcoregamer]

Ya I have a small 444w amp for my 4 speakers and a 1000w amp for my subs.

I was wondering, my small amp will give more power if I only use it for the 2 rear speakers. Can I use he built in head unit amp to power my front 2 speakers? The head unit says 50x4. It's 17 watts rms x4. I was wondering g if I can get 30-40 rms x2 to power my front speakers.



On a side note all my Sony stuff is over 5 years old. But works great. I have no complaints. I just want to put my ex pods back in up front. I picked up some kenwoods and am gonna throw them in tomorrow.

[Rome702]

a simple way to buy audio based on watts is to look at the RMS of the amp and speaker. Now remember that Impedance will have a lot to do with how your speakers will function with that wattage. Just remember, to little power creates to much impedance causing the speakers to over heat, so always chose an amp pushing more power than what is needed, cuz the amp gain can always be turned down.