Hey All. Will be on the hunt for a new amp in next couple of week possibly, depends on if my current one is okay or not.

So at the moment my current amp is a JVC KS-AX3500 4ch. Info can be found here: http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?archive=true&pathId=64&modelId=MODL027606

Will it be fine to run my Pioneer PRO Series TS-D691R's: http://shopper.cnet.com/car-speakers/pioneer-ts-d691r-car/4014-6725_9-31347009.html#info-5

and my Pioneer PRO Series TS-D161R's: http://reviews.cnet.com/car-speakers/pioneer-ts-d161r-car/4507-6725_7-31292683.html?tag=mncol;rnav

Strangely enough none of those links work.......

Fixed :)

Umm as above!

When you use good speakers try to get close to there max rms. eg speaker says 80 rms 50-80 would be fine....... give it 30-100 rms but 100 willl blow it at full volume but may sound better at low volume.

How long is a bit of string ??????

Most brand name amps put out more power .....800w =400 rms yet a cheap one that says 800w =200rms....

dont know what your after but hope this helps a bit!

Fixed :)

No its not!

just tried

Any way all the best.

ok your front speakers are rated at 60wrms, rear 6*9's are 80wrms - and your amp is 55wrms x 4 @ 4Ohm.

I wouldnt use that amp personally. While you cant blow a set of speakers by feeding them too little power, its a lot easier as you push the amp a lot closer to its limit, the possibility of it 'clipping' is more likely. Also the more you squeeze out of the amp, the higher the THD goes.

So, whats your budget?

Anything upto $300, may even go higher if really needed.

If its just a entry level install, I'de go for something along the lines of Jaycar - still cant be beaten for value....

$350 - 4 x 100wrms

http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA0426&keywords=response&form=KEYWORD

OR
4 x 80wrms Soundstream

http://www.ryda.com.au/Soundstream-LW4-620-Lil-Wonder-4-Ch-Amplifier-p/lw4620.htm

OR

$300 - Clarion - 4 x 100wrms

http://www.ryda.com.au/Clarion-APX4361-4-Channel-Car-Amplifier-p/apx4361.htm

If its just a entry level install, I'de go for something along the lines of Jaycar - still cant be beaten for value....

$350 - 4 x 100wrms

http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA0426&keywords=response&form=KEYWORD

OR
4 x 80wrms Soundstream

http://www.ryda.com.au/Soundstream-LW4-620-Lil-Wonder-4-Ch-Amplifier-p/lw4620.htm

OR

$300 - Clarion - 4 x 100wrms

http://www.ryda.com.au/Clarion-APX4361-4-Channel-Car-Amplifier-p/apx4361.htm

Excellent advice! to date

I bought ken wood over clarion as it had better specs at the same price. also a more consistent rms value.

thats me but im happy as they work well with splits and a woofer.

mrmitsu.. your jvc amp is fine to run all 4 speakers, you really dont need more, just as long as you set your gains right, you shouldnt clip the amp.. that means that just because your speakers can handle more than the amp puts out per channel dont wind the gains knob to 100%.. because it WILL clip the amp

best thing to do is set your h/u volume at about 75-80% and slowly turn the gains up till you get clipped signal, then wind it back a bit. just make sure you dont turn the h/u volume past the 75-80 percent (whichever youve set it at) and youll be fine.

youll find that ~50WRMS is all a person needs for decent volume listening

you are better off spending that cash on sound deadening your doors and panels around 6x9's. itll be your best improvement

ok your front speakers are rated at 60wrms, rear 6*9's are 80wrms - and your amp is 55wrms x 4 @ 4Ohm.

I wouldnt use that amp personally. While you cant blow a set of speakers by feeding them too little power, its a lot easier as you push the amp a lot closer to its limit, the possibility of it 'clipping' is more likely. Also the more you squeeze out of the amp, the higher the THD goes.

So, whats your budget?

ers, you CAN blow your speakers if the amp is rated at less power. what do you think clipped signal is?

ers, you CAN blow your speakers if the amp is rated at less power. what do you think clipped signal is?

How about instead of me writing a 10 page post on why you are wrong, go back and do some reading.

Here's some helpful pointers:

What happens when an amp is close to its full rated power output?

At which point does an amp produce its max output in RMS as quoted by the manufacturer (hint, its to do with Voltage at the amp).

How far do you have to set gains on a presumably low voltage RCA H/U source signal? How does this affect how hard the amp works?

When is an amp most effecient? What happens when you start pushing an amp past this point?

How does heat effect the amp and its power output?

Where is noise more likely to occur and increase when you tune the amp?

Then again....guess I just have not studied this topic enough over the last few years and countless thousands of dollars invested into Audio.

For future reference, if you are to ask me a question - make sure I made the statement too....Guess that part in BOLD was missed hey?

Ask anyone who has been around enough audio - its better to have an amp with just slightly more power than what the speakers are rated at....


While you cant blow a set of speakers by feeding them too little power, its a lot easier as you push the amp a lot closer to its limit, the possibility of it 'clipping' is more likely. Also the more you squeeze out of the amp, the higher the THD goes.


P.S From experience, underpowering speakers is a good way to start lacking midrange aswell.....

:gfight: Looks like some people have pms.....

Should I mention tube amps :happy:

ers, you CAN blow your speakers if the amp is rated at less power. what do you think clipped signal is?
Amps clip if pushed to their peak which they will if you push it to drive speakers to the amps maximum power output, damaging the amp and speakers. Speakers distort if the amp overpowers the speaker, damaging the speaker. Thats the short sweet and general way to think of it.

Also I'd steer well clear of Soundstream amps, too many horror stories with the newer series amps from them, they're not what they used to be a few years ago. The Response series are probably the best bang for buck with what you have spending in mind in my opinion.

Lugo - strange......

I run a soundstream Tarantula amp, has not missed a beat in 1 year :) great amps personally.....

That said, I'de pick the Jaycar over the entry level soundstream if it was my money.

Lugo - strange......

I run a soundstream Tarantula amp, has not missed a beat in 1 year :) great amps personally.....

That said, I'de pick the Jaycar over the entry level soundstream if it was my money.
I'll be honest and say I haven't heard much in the way of issues from the Tarantula range, mainly Picasso and Lil Wonder.

Fair enough - have not used them, was just giving options..

Oh and that Jaycar amp is actually 4 x 130wrms now too :)

I have a pair of the 2 channels from the same series (KS-AX302)

Very musical amp, and output levels were great on a pair of 80wrms Hertz splits, and very low distortion levels. When I bolt them into my Magna, I plan to run 8ga power between the two.

i used to run my 90wrms 6x9's (when i was running rear speakers) off an old ranger amp rated at 50wrms per channel. they absolutely hammered, the amp never skipped a beat in a year, and i used to push it hard.. so again.. by my experience i wouldnt hesitate to run 80wrms speakers off 55wrms. no point wasting your money on a bigger amp till you have a bigger budget to play with.. as i said before, that money is better spent on sound deadening your doors and parcel shelf.

Well,

He can buy an average amp that puts out 50odd wrms at best for I assume around $250, or spend the extra $50-100 on an amp with up to 115% more power, that will use less power, run cooler, last longer, and support the ability to upgrade speakers without upgrading the amp.

His call....

While yes 50wrms is probably enough for most, underpowering speakers not only makes no sense - its a waste of time IMO

Well,

He can buy an average amp that puts out 50odd wrms at best for I assume around $250, or spend the extra $50-100 on an amp with up to 115% more power, that will use less power, run cooler, last longer, and support the ability to upgrade speakers without upgrading the amp.

His call....

While yes 50wrms is probably enough for most, underpowering speakers not only makes no sense - its a waste of time IMO

sorry, i think i know what the problem is. i think we are misunderstanding his amp situation. as far as im aware, he already has the JVC amp and is looking to replace it if necessary. i think you are thinking that he hasnt purchased the JVC yet and is looking to buy an amp..

Yup made that mistake.

However - I would still replace the amp any given day if it was my money. Done it before with no hesitation.

Thanks for all the info guys, a few people have offered me 2nd hand amps but they all go by how many large watts it has thinking their powerful. Even had one guy try to sell a 900w Rockford amp and it ended up being 55wx4 @4ohm so not an improvement at all. I'll probably just run my JVC for now and see how it goes.