How does amp power affect SQ?

[ZeroDfx]

Can someone please clarify for me the advantage of having ones speakers driven by a higher power amplifier?

I changed the OEM speakers in my BMW and have noticed a significant improvement in SQ just from that upgrade. The OEM DSP stock amp probably is 4watts per channel RMS @ 4 ohms, but seems to provide enough power to allow me to play it at high volumes if I care to.

Is there any advantage to increasing the amp power to 35 watts per channel RMS @ 4 ohm in terms of SQ? The new component speakers are rated at 120 watts. Will I hear any additional differences with the extra power and the crossovers that came with the speakers?

Thanks much,

Nick

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[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Yes. And yes.

Think of it this way. That 35 watt amplifier would only have to be running at approx 10% of capacity to sustain the maximum output of your current amp. So even listening to each setup at the same volume, the larger amplifier will be playing at much less than its capacity, and consequently will be outputting less distortion. The smaller amp will be working alot harder to sustain the same 4 watts of output, for example.

The larger amp will also have more capability of keeping up with extreme dynamic situations where, for example, a bass note may require significantly more power than the rated output, for a very brief time. Run an amplifier with more output than you will ever need or use, to decrease its distortion output threshold and increase its dynamics... that is the entire idea behind 'head room' in a system. The bigger amp isn't even sweating yet, while the small amp is running out of steam... so to speak.

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

allows you to turn up to a higher volume without clipping the signal

 

[ZeroDfx]

Thank you, gentlemen, I appreciate the explanation.

 

[RUGERJITSU 10+ year member]

Yes. And yes.
Think of it this way. That 35 watt amplifier would only have to be running at approx 10% of capacity to sustain the maximum output of your current amp. So even listening to each setup at the same volume, the larger amplifier will be playing at much less than its capacity, and consequently will be outputting less distortion. The smaller amp will be working alot harder to sustain the same 4 watts of output, for example.

The larger amp will also have more capability of keeping up with extreme dynamic situations where, for example, a bass note may require significantly more power than the rated output, for a very brief time. Run an amplifier with more output than you will ever need or use, to decrease its distortion output threshold and increase its dynamics... that is the entire idea behind 'head room' in a system. The bigger amp isn't even sweating yet, while the small amp is running out of steam... so to speak.

awesome post, thanks!

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Glad to help.