How do I compare amps?
09-04-2008, 02:25 PM
#1
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How do I compare amps?
with the standard now a days, it's easy, amps are all measured (RMS) with 1% THD(distortion)...but...
I have a new amp rated at 70w RMS at 1% THD and an old amp rated at 30w RMS at 0.02%. how to compare????
by the way they are both Kicker, zx700.5 and a Kicker ZR120.
I have a new amp rated at 70w RMS at 1% THD and an old amp rated at 30w RMS at 0.02%. how to compare????
by the way they are both Kicker, zx700.5 and a Kicker ZR120.
09-05-2008, 06:18 AM
#3
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09-05-2008, 06:45 AM
#4
I cannot huh? I haven't seen an amp where that figure came into play. Show me a situation where that would even be relevant? How do you know you can trust it?
I mean, god knows how they came up with the 0.02% in the first place, and we all know that the new standards are a "minimum" and doesn't mean that the amp's ratings are right anyway.
I can and I will forget about that rating
I mean, god knows how they came up with the 0.02% in the first place, and we all know that the new standards are a "minimum" and doesn't mean that the amp's ratings are right anyway.
I can and I will forget about that rating
09-05-2008, 11:17 AM
#5
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with some research, I sorta answered my question.
in 2003 kicker had a kx150.2 rated at 38wX2 RMS at 13.8V and 0.085%THD.
in 2004 kicker had a kx150.2 rated at 60wX2 RMS at 14.4V and 1%THD (with the CAE-2006 standard).
So my 30wX2 is probably more like 50wX2 or so with the CAE-2006 standard.
in 2003 kicker had a kx150.2 rated at 38wX2 RMS at 13.8V and 0.085%THD.
in 2004 kicker had a kx150.2 rated at 60wX2 RMS at 14.4V and 1%THD (with the CAE-2006 standard).
So my 30wX2 is probably more like 50wX2 or so with the CAE-2006 standard.
Last edited by lude dude; 09-05-2008 at 11:22 AM.
09-05-2008, 11:21 AM
#6
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09-05-2008, 12:49 PM
#7
Your not getting it.
Same amp different measurement, what does that tell you? The old one was underated, obviously. If you want low low THD on the amp run it at 1\2 it's power, that's what they did with the first specs. BTW they aren't rated at the same voltage, that makes a much bigger diff in rated power.
THD is not constent, it will vary just like power. So if you run either of those amps at half their power you will have the 0.02 THD, if yuo run them both at full power, they will both be around the 1% mark.
Really, THD is meaningless. Just like trying to pic yuor TV by looking at contrast ratio or picking amps with peak watts. They are all meaningless figures.
And I would get the one with the higher rms rating for resale.
Same amp different measurement, what does that tell you? The old one was underated, obviously. If you want low low THD on the amp run it at 1\2 it's power, that's what they did with the first specs. BTW they aren't rated at the same voltage, that makes a much bigger diff in rated power.
THD is not constent, it will vary just like power. So if you run either of those amps at half their power you will have the 0.02 THD, if yuo run them both at full power, they will both be around the 1% mark.
Really, THD is meaningless. Just like trying to pic yuor TV by looking at contrast ratio or picking amps with peak watts. They are all meaningless figures.
And I would get the one with the higher rms rating for resale.
09-05-2008, 03:53 PM
#8
I have to agree with AAAAAAA about his view on THD. Basicly, I would pick more power, and a nice brand name, cause the whole product with better internals is more important, then THD rating, and the louder you push any amp, the more THD it will produce, which you will not hear anyways, unless you have superhuman hearing, the distortion you WILL hear is clipping, when your amp will run out of power.
