ARC Audio 2500-XXK: only can handle up to 2.5V input sensitivity?

[frankiebones 10+ year member]

the specs on the arc audio are weird, considering it is a very sick 2 channel.

Output power : 270x2@4 ohms, 525x2@2 ohms, and 1,050x1 4 ohms bridged

Transient distortion :

Frequency response: 20Hz-20Khz

S/N ratio(A wtg) : > 105dB

Bass boost : + 18dB @45Hz

Input sensitivity : 250mV - 2.5V

Crossover : 12dB/24dB stereo 55Hz-5.5KHz

Fuse :

30A x3

Dimensions : 18" x 8" x 2.35"

so with a pioneer HU that gets not close to the 5V preamp output it promises, but certainly gets over 2.5V, i could not use this beautiful amp?

also, i think this amp would be good either to run my morels passive with 270 going to each side, which is about what they are getting from my kicker kx650.4 bridged.

OR, i could use it to power just the woofers and go active. the RMS of my 6" hybrid ovation woofers is 160 W. the max. transient power handling is 600 W.

from what i think i understand, the woofers will see a 2 ohm load at points bc the impedence of the speakers changes as the cone moves. the 525W this arc puts out at 2 ohms is pretty close, dont u guys think?

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[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

For starters an Input Sensitivity rating does not equal peak input voltage

That spec just means you can make full power from the amplifier with as much as a 2.5v signal.

2.5v @ 1khz sensitivity rating means- the amp will make full power with 2.5v's driving a 1khz signal/test tone. MUSIC DOES NOT EQUAL A TEST TONE, you could never duplicate this playing music, even with volume full tilt- as music is dynamic in content.

I've driven those amps with 8v Eclipses, as has the rest of the world that uses Arc amps. Their very own processors/eq drive up to 8v-9v rms, so whats makes you think they cannot handle a hot signal?

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

And no, those speakers will not see a 2ohm load- but 270rms is enough to drive the living shyt out of them. Dont concentrate on peak numbers. Aside of my SE2300 the xxk2500 is baddest amp I've used on midbass/sub duty.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

You will be fine.

 

[XTRProBoy 10+ year member]

I agree with teh above--with music content you should be fine.

Overdriving the input stage (with more than 2.5V RMS for example) could lead to the amp clipping, yes, but it's not likely with music as mentioned. If you want to be extra safe/cautious, just find out what volume setting on the Pio HU gives an output of 2.5V RMS with a 0dB test tone and never exceed that level on the HU.