Can an amplifier have more watts than the speakers? - General

Hi there, I'm going to install a set of speakers and an amplifier in my car, but the problem is that the speakers are 150 Watts RMS each and the amplifier outputs 2 x 170 Watts RMS. Here they are: [b]Amplifier:[/b] Kenwood KAC-7253 Couldn't find the specs of it from the original site but here they are from the website I'm buying them from: - Dual channel - RMS Power: 170W x2 @ (14.4V/4Ohm) - Max Power: 1000W [b]Speakers:[/b]JBL T696L [url=http://eu.jbl.com/jbl-product-detail-eu/t696l.html]Specs[/url] Will the extra 20 Watts damage the speakers? Or is this setup ok?

[QUOTE=dj_night;37430272]Hi there, I'm going to install a set of speakers and an amplifier in my car, but the problem is that the speakers are 150 Watts RMS each and the amplifier outputs 2 x 170 Watts RMS. Here they are: [b]Amplifier:[/b] Kenwood KAC-7253 Couldn't find the specs of it from the original site but here they are from the website I'm buying them from: - Dual channel - RMS Power: 170W x2 @ (14.4V/4Ohm) - Max Power: 1000W [b]Speakers:[/b]JBL T696L [url=http://eu.jbl.com/jbl-product-detail-eu/t696l.html]Specs[/url] Will the extra 20 Watts damage the speakers? Or is this setup ok?[/QUOTE] You want the amplifier to have more power output than the speakers can handle. This allows extra room for the amplifier, guarenteeing you won't 'clip,' caused by stressing the amplifier, which will also damage your speakers since the wave becomes 'flat' or 'clipped' on its peaks, which the speaker plays by pushing out, freezing, pulling in, freezing, which turns its kenetic cooling energy to thermal, which'll blow your speakers. But in simple terms, yes, you want the amplifier to have some extra power to lessen the load on your electrical, the amplifier itself, and the speakers as long as you don't turn it full throttle. Oh, and by the by, all the equipment you are looking at is best buy overpriced shit. They SOUND fine, and if you just listen to them, they sound great, but a peak at the price tag makes them look awful. I'd take a look at crescendo audio, they make magnificent amplifiers and component speakers, and you'll really get the bang for your buck.

[QUOTE=masterwolf;37430424]You want the amplifier to have more power output than the speakers can handle. This allows extra room for the amplifier, guarenteeing you won't 'clip,' caused by stressing the amplifier, which will also damage your speakers since the wave becomes 'flat' or 'clipped' on its peaks, which the speaker plays by pushing out, freezing, pulling in, freezing, which turns its kenetic cooling energy to thermal, which'll blow your speakers. But in simple terms, yes, you want the amplifier to have some extra power to lessen the load on your electrical, the amplifier itself, and the speakers as long as you don't turn it full throttle.[/QUOTE] So the total 40 watts give enough room for the amplifier?

[QUOTE=dj_night;37430467]So the total 40 watts give enough room for the amplifier?[/QUOTE] Yeah. I'm not saying you have to calculate a specific number above the speakers RMS to get the correct 'room' for the amplifier to breethe, theres no such thing, I'm just saying give the amplifier some room, 40 watts more is just fine. Oh and by the by, another reason for getting an amplifier slightly over the speakers ratings is because most amplifiers are 'over rated,' meaning they will not do full rated RMS, therefore if you get a 100 watt amplifier powering a 100 watt speaker, the amplifier might be only putting out, say, 85 watts due to impeadence rises etc... therefore you'll be clipping before you even get the amplifiers full rated output. Also, things like vehicle voltage drops may slightly happen hindering full amplifier performance. The harder the amp works, the more its gonna strain your cars electrical.

[QUOTE=masterwolf;37430424] Oh, and by the by, all the equipment you are looking at is best buy overpriced shit. They SOUND fine, and if you just listen to them, they sound great, but a peak at the price tag makes them look awful. I'd take a look at crescendo audio, they make magnificent amplifiers and component speakers, and you'll really get the bang for your buck.[/QUOTE] I'm from Portugal, we don't have Best Buy here, I'm buying it for 340€ which is aprox. 425 USD, I don't find it that expensive for the power those speakers and amplifier are packing. [editline]27th August 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=masterwolf;37430498]Yeah. I'm not saying you have to calculate a specific number above the speakers RMS to get the correct 'room' for the amplifier to breethe, theres no such thing, I'm just saying give the amplifier some room, 40 watts more is just fine.[/QUOTE] Thanks, your advice was really helpful.

[QUOTE=dj_night;37430523]I'm from Portugal, we don't have Best Buy here, I'm buying it for 340€ which is aprox. 425 USD, I don't find it that expensive for the power those speakers and amplifier are packing. [editline]27th August 2012[/editline] Thanks, your advice was really helpful.[/QUOTE] No problem, going into things like this can get tricky.