• Mustang Forums
  • Mustang Sound & Shine All

Speaker rating question

  • Thread starter Thread starter superhuaman
  • Start date Start date Dec 31, 2006
S

superhuaman

New Member
Nov 8, 2004
907
0
0
Harrisburg, PA
Dec 31, 2006
#1
  • Dec 31, 2006
  • #1
Right now I have an Alpine 9856 head unit (50Wx4 max, 18Wx4 RMS) running with (4) Pioneer 6"x8" 3-ways (220W max, 50W RMS). I am more concerned with better sound as opposed to louder sound. Would it be better (clearer) to get a 50Wx4 RMS amp to drive these speakers? Or better to downgrade to the Pioneer 6"x8" 2-ways (160W max, 30W RMS) and bring the speaker rating closer to the HU rating? I have another car with the same Alpine and 2-ways, but it is a different car, different insulation, etc. so I can't make any comparisons based upon that.
 

ChingonStang

Member
Sep 19, 2004
308
0
16
Dallas, Tejas
Jan 1, 2007
#2
  • Jan 1, 2007
  • #2
Cut off the internal amp in the headunit on the Alpine if you have that feature. That will clean up the sound and then add an external amp and leave the speakers you already have.
 
T

turbogt

Member
May 1, 2003
723
16
19
Montana
Jan 8, 2007
#3
  • Jan 8, 2007
  • #3
Since your speaker are already overkill for use without an amp, you need to get a 4 channel.. In general, if you wanted to be cheaper and run off deck power, get a speaker which is more efficient meaning lower power numbers... This is a ridiculously common mistake... People figure the higher the power rating on a speaker, the better it is.. FALSE!!!!! I run memphis m class coaxials in my Explorer and they outperform many amped systems because they are so efficient.. Carbon fiber cones, rated at 50 rms, 100 peak.. They even have very significant midbass..
 
S

superhuaman

New Member
Nov 8, 2004
907
0
0
Harrisburg, PA
Jan 9, 2007
#4
  • Jan 9, 2007
  • #4
So if i swap to lower rated speakers (30W RMS instead of 50W) I should be okay? I originally went with the 3-ways because they are better constructed than the 2-ways, and less expensive than the 4-ways. But now I realize I should use the 2-ways. How will they sound different? Also, therere are factory tweeters in the front doors, and these are wired in parallel with the front (door) speakers. The head unit seems to operate fine this way, without overheating or shutting off.
 
S

san~man

O-G
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
8,546
3
78
A little grass shack on a big lava rock
Jan 9, 2007
#5
  • Jan 9, 2007
  • #5
You have to remember a few things:
1. Even though the headunits amp gives a rating, that rating usually has a high level of distortion.
2. I'm sure you've seen a "true" 50Wx4 amplifier. Remember how large of a chassis it took to fit the components into it? Now imagine the size of the amp in the Alpine deck and you can understand why they aren't the same. There's now way they can cram quality components into that small a space.

IMO, your decision to have "better" sound is vague and you need to ask yourself a few questions...

1. Do you want to be able to play it louder and still have it sound clean?
2. Do you mean better in terms of frequency response of your system?

The external amp will give you the ability to play the system louder without distortion, meaning "less" chance of damage to your speakers. However, if you want better frequency response, i.e. bass, your only option is to add some type of subwoofer(s) AND an amp for your 4 other speakers. No matter what you do, your 6x8's won't produce any low frequency notes. Turning up the bass on the deck will only add distortion, meaning the speakers cones are moving more than they're intended to do, and eventually you'll throw a voicecoil and have a blown speaker.

I can go on and on, but hopefully you get the idea. Hope that helped.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Need advice: 93 Cobra audio upgrade with no permanent modifications
  • THNX SVT
  • Feb 18, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 20, 2024
TIGGER
M
I bought a Mustang for my son, have some questions
  • mclldavidson
  • May 15, 2018
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
1
Views
1K
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech May 18, 2018
racerraj
R
S
Bye bye Camaro, Hello Mustang!
  • Swimmatte
  • Jul 2, 2018
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
2
Views
1K
The Welcome Wagon Jul 2, 2018
Davedacarpainter
Current Audio Build: Audi Rs6
  • LaserSVT
  • Oct 27, 2015
  • Mustang Sound & Shine All
Replies
8
Views
5K
Mustang Sound & Shine All Jan 3, 2016
DowJ_HP1000000
D
  • Locked
SOLD 1995 Mustang Gt In Los Angeles, Ca, $2800
  • Chythar
  • Nov 29, 2016
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
1
Views
6K
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Nov 29, 2016
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • Mustang Sound & Shine All
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?