Amplifier Watts Question...

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Jeff - point taken re unknown power limit to use for DMM gains - my bad. OP should use an o-scope or get a better (real) amp. I vote for a new amp.

What ever happened to just setting a gain by ear??

If you can HEAR, it's not hard to do with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

that is true^^^

You still use a test tone and whenever you turn it up and the bass doesnt get loud anymore or if the tone of bass changes, that means you've already clipped it, step it down several notches and normally you should be okay, be sure to do 5-10 minute full blast test sessions to monitor the temperatures of both subs and amp.

Main rule with setting gains by ear is: Do not confuse distortion with being louder!

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

I've just used music in the past.

Out of curiousity I double-checked myself with a DMM and tone and found it to be w/in 10% or so of target voltage.

 

[CREATURE58]

Shouldnt it be illegal to rate their amps at that wattage if they dont make it to that? Cant they get sued? On another note I have two more questions...

1. I have a 58 bug an I have the two subs and box in the luggage compartment (There is an open space in between the back seat and back window, which way should the box face? I have a sealed box.

2. How do you connect more than one amp to a stereo that has only two pre-amp outputs? The pyle has two inputs, I have a pioneer that I can connect as well just dont know how.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Shouldnt it be illegal to rate their amps at that wattage if they dont make it to that? Cant they get sued? On another note I have two more questions...
1. I have a 58 bug an I have the two subs and box in the luggage compartment (There is an open space in between the back seat and back window, which way should the box face? I have a sealed box.

2. How do you connect more than one amp to a stereo that has only two pre-amp outputs? The pyle has two inputs, I have a pioneer that I can connect as well just dont know how.

There is no regulation in this industry. Think about it like every other purchase. If it looks to good to be true it is

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Shouldn't it be illegal to rate their amps at that wattage if they dont make it to that? Cant they get sued? On another note I have two more questions...

Nobody wants to oversee that process. Especially since most people effected are teenagers that spent $80 on an amp.

It would cost a substantial amt of money to test and confirm they do what they say. It would cost more if a consumer wanted to make a claim. And it would wipe out most of the entry level business in the industry if it were enforced.

Buying an amp that's cea-2006 certified is a good solution, although not every amp that's accurately rated subscribes to that.

The lesson is to know what you're buying before you get your wallet out...that applies to a lot more than car audio.

1. I have a 58 bug an I have the two subs and box in the luggage compartment (There is an open space in between the back seat and back window, which way should the box face? I have a sealed box.

Either away from you or upward.

2. How do you connect more than one amp to a stereo that has only two pre-amp outputs? The pyle has two inputs, I have a pioneer that I can connect as well just dont know how.

Just use a pair of y cables. I prefer 1male/2female

You plug the male end into the amp.

One of the female ends would connect to the rca coming from the HU.

The other female end would be the output for the 2nd amp.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Nobody wants to oversee that process. Especially since most people effected are teenagers that spent $80 on an amp.It would cost a substantial amt of money to test and confirm they do what they say. It would cost more if a consumer wanted to make a claim. And it would wipe out most of the entry level business in the industry if it were enforced.

Buying an amp that's cea-2006 certified is a good solution, although not every amp that's accurately rated subscribes to that.

The lesson is to know what you're buying before you get your wallet out...that applies to a lot more than car audio.

Either away from you or upward.

Just use a pair of y cables. I prefer 1male/2female

You plug the male end into the amp.

One of the female ends would connect to the rca coming from the HU.

The other female end would be the output for the 2nd amp.

CEA only test 14.4v and a 4ohm load. That tells you nothing about what the amp will do at its advertised lowest load, look at AP, they make near as much power at 2ohm then they do at 1ohm. That amp would pass CEA

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

CEA only test 14.4v and a 4ohm load. That tells you nothing about what the amp will do at its advertised lowest load, look at AP, they make near as much power at 2ohm then they do at 1ohm. That amp would pass CEA

Yes, I've read the spec.

I said "good solution" not fool-proof...would have kept him from buying a pyle.

 

[CREATURE58]

Ok so I see So it doesn't matter which input I connect it to on the pyle? It has two sets and they say Channel 1-4. Also is Pioneer a good brand for amps? Meaning are there wattage numbers true?

 

[CREATURE58]

Aslo as far as amps and subs go which are best from best to worst out of these brands...

1. Pioneer

2. Planet Audio

3. Power Acoustik

4. BOSS

5. Kicker

Im not talking about $500 amps and subs but more like $200 and down?

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Kicker

Pio

Pwr Acsk

Planet Aud

Boss

Planet has some big bang amps that aren't too bad, but most of their stuff is WAY over-rated.

Pwr Ac amps are ok for the price, but also way over-rated.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Aslo as far as amps and subs go which are best from best to worst out of these brands...
1. Pioneer

2. Planet Audio

3. Power Acoustik

4. BOSS

5. Kicker

Im not talking about $500 amps and subs but more like $200 and down?

For amps

only kicker and pioneer are worth anything on that list the rest are "taboo/worse then garbage/kill it with fire".

If you are going budget, look up hifonics Brutus, PPI/precision power BA series, belva BB, RE audio, MB quart onyx series. Make sure you actually get something from the right series because there are junk amp lines within those companies too.

For subs NEITHER of any of those companies make decent subs at all, low tier mediocre at best with pioneer and kicker. Better brands out there that are way better built are sundown, FI, DC, Digital designs, etc..

woofers that bang on a budget, Sounqubed HDS subs are your go to woofers.

http://www.soundqubed.com/HDS300-Bundle_p_234.html If you ever want to upgrade your subwoofer stage, this bundle has everything you need to get loud man.