25W RMS vs. 50W RMS
03-29-2010, 10:54 PM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
25W RMS vs. 50W RMS
To power the front door speakers, how much of a difference will I see between two power sources, one at 25W RMS and one at 50W RMS for 60W RMS coaxials? What will be the difference, sound quality or just ability to listen to louder volumes?
Thanks.
Thanks.
03-29-2010, 11:58 PM
#3
Depends on the amplfier, if the 25Wrms is an amp built into a hi-power HU, it's just an IC chip and wouldn't have much damping, or control of the speaker. If they are both good quality amps.. the difference is a 3dB potential.
Keep in mind that most people think their speakers are getting really loud are usually feeding less than 10 actual watts of power.
Keep in mind that most people think their speakers are getting really loud are usually feeding less than 10 actual watts of power.
03-30-2010, 09:17 AM
#4
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 21
The speakers are Polk Audio db651's. The amp is a Lightning Audio B2.150.2 which is what would provide the 50W RMS. The head unit is an Eclipse CD5030 which would provide 25W RMS. The reason I question if running off the head unit would be sufficent is that the install is getting to be quite expensive and I could save almost $200 installing it with the head unti instead of installing the amp. What do you guys think I should do? Thanks.
03-30-2010, 09:56 AM
#6
What's your listening habits? Do you listen for long periods of time? At high levels? Very low levels? Personally, i don't like to use head unit power for the main reason that it generates a lot of heat in the head unit, particularly if listening for a prolonged period. I think for my sister or my mom or dad, head unit power is more than adequate, but for someone who likes it a little louder and listens for a longer time, an amp is needed.
03-30-2010, 05:39 PM
#8
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
I used my Eclipses HU power for a couple years and even competed SQ with it... it can be done and it isnt horrible. BUT everything was significantly better (louder, cleaner) when I went to my Zapco 50Wpc. Using HU power is a good way to cheep out for a while but there are trade offs.
03-30-2010, 08:19 PM
#9
The speakers are Polk Audio db651's. The amp is a Lightning Audio B2.150.2 which is what would provide the 50W RMS. The head unit is an Eclipse CD5030 which would provide 25W RMS. The reason I question if running off the head unit would be sufficent is that the install is getting to be quite expensive and I could save almost $200 installing it with the head unti instead of installing the amp. What do you guys think I should do? Thanks.
just for fun.. here is a link to an NXP (ex Phillips semiconductor) car audio power IC.. check the specs for yourself!
www.nxp.com/documents/data_sheet/TDA8569Q.pdf
summary: 25w rms x 4 at 10% distortion when DC- 14.4 volts
that goes down to 15w rms x 4 at 0.5% dist at DC-13.2 volts..
now that is more like a 6 db difference... compared to your other amp...
03-30-2010, 10:29 PM
#10
^^Actually there are/were a few that produced more than 25 watts rms. The Alpine cda-9835/33 and other v-drive units boosted voltage up to 17 volts to produce higher power output. Most were rated at 26 watts rms @ 4ohms with less than 1% thd+n and over 80 dba SN ratio (cea 2006 rated). I still have a 9833 that's in mint condition, though I've never used the internal amp.
