Re: Loudspeakers for ur-quattro (car audio dribble)

[Cynic5KS@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/31/99 10:52:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
dan_hussey@email.msn.com writes:

> >Actually, the speakers are not distorting at all... What you are hearing
>  >is the final amplifier inside the radio distorting... This happens to 
>most
>  head units when playing them at high volumes.... The speakers >are just
>  reproducing the distortion...  Underpowering a speaker will >not cause
>  distortion... (if this were true, then you would hear distortion >when you
>  are playing your radio at low volumes)...
>  
>  Umm, that isn't true at all!  And, aren't you contradicting yourself 
here???
>  You said it was the amplifier in the head unit and then you say that
>  underpowering a speaker will not cause distortion.  Well, what do you think
>  the amp is doing???
>  
>  BTW, A lot of people don't know this but most people blow speakers because
>  they run too little power to them, not too much.  Yes, underpowering
>  speakers will cause distortion at higher volumes!!!! 

I don't believe I was contradicting myself... Underpowering a speaker WILL 
NOT cause distortion.  If it did, running your radio at low volumes would 
blow the speaker, which just doesn't happen.  However, if you overdrive the 
final amplifier in the head unit (by turning the volume all the way up), that 
will cause distortion, which the speakers will reproduce.  This distortion 
could possibly damage the speakers (I personally have never seen this 
before), not the fact that they are "underpowered"...  
I have run 25 watts RMS of clean power from an amplifier in speakers that 
were rated as being able to handle 50 watts RMS for years and never blew the 
speakers.  These were obviously "underpowered".... but because I bought  a 
decent amplifier, there was never any distortion, the speakers were not 
overdriven, and they were not damaged... (Ran this set up for 2 years)...

>I was given a demonstration by a guy who sold audio equipment one time.  I
>will never forget it.  We are all sitting in his living room ejoying some
>fine music on his home-built Focal speakers.  Anyways, he gets up and
>unplugs one of the speakers and holds up a standard joe blow (Sony $40 a
>pair special or something) speaker.  He then says, "For all of you that
>think you blow speakers by overpowering them, watch this".  He hooks that
>little speaker directly to his very powerfull home audio amp and holds it in
>his hand at us.  And, you know what... It sounded AMAZING!

This may be true... Home amplifiers are a completely different type of 
amplifier... The power source is 120 VAC, and have a lot of room for 
componentry... (Carver makes some of the best home amplifiers)...  However, 
If you put more power to a speaker than it is rated for, you will blow the 
speaker...  Simply, all a speaker really is, is a device that converts 
electrical energy to mechanical energy...  Too much electrical energy WILL 
damage the mechanics of the speaker... 

>Speakers are important, but without enough power,
>what's the point.  You may end up killing them! 

Please show me an article or book where underpowering them will ruin your 
speakers.  A sales rep is not a reputable source... He is less than objective 
because he is trying to sell you audio equipment....

>So next time you see some guy pawning off a Rockwood 1000 watt amp at a flea
>market or something, you can laugh as you know this piece of equipment
>(junk) should never be taken seriously.  I mean, who the hell really needs
>1000 watts!???

I agree with you... this is a piece of junk that probably doesn't even put 
out 100 watts... I wouldn't never put anything like that in my car... 
However... It is still a step up from just a stock head unit... and if it 
sounds good to the person who purchased it,  you can't fault him for owning 
it...  

Arden
85 5Ks