Distortion with no amp?

[Rockguy475 10+ year member]

So I had to send my amp in for repairs and until it comes back I had my speakers hooked up to the HU. I notice when I go above 60% up or more on the volume meter my speakers star to sound distorted. Never had this problem when I was pushing them louder with the amp..... Is this normal? When my amp comes back and is hooked up should the distortion go away?

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[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

The 'amplifier' inside the head unit is running out of power.

 

[Rockguy475 10+ year member]

The 'amplifier' inside the head unit is running out of power.

Would this be because my HU only pushes 20rms per channel?

 

[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

Would this be because my HU only pushes 20rms per channel?

Yeah, head units don't supply real power. They might deliver 8 to 12 usable watts but they're not able to deliver much current. They do okay for a few watts and then poop out.