Re: (car audio dribble)

[David Head <dave.head@worldnet.att.net>]

You are adding several things together here. When an amplifier does not have the
power to reproduce the signal inputed - the signal is clipped - cut off. That is
the distortion that you hear, and which damages speakers. To double the sound
pressure level the power input must be cubed. That doesn't mean you are
underpowering the speaker - you are underpowering the signal the speaker is
trying to duplicate.

Additionally, to determine correct power for an amp, you must not only look at
whether its rated RMS, but the freq or range of freqs tested. Same for a
speaker. You also need to know what class of amplifier operation.

Daniel Hussey wrote:

> >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!!!!