I've narrowed down my selection to two headunits

[BlackMesa]

Alright, i've narrowed my selection down to two headunits, the Panasonic CQ-C9800U and the Panasonic CQ-C9700u. Both headunits seem to have the same internals and externals except for the internal amp. Both units use a new fancy digital amplifier, which basically means they can pump out a good amount of rms with superb digital quality sound. My only delema is that i want the best sound possible, but don't wanna risk blowing my speakers. I have two eclipse SE8355's rated at 30 rms max, and two eclipse SE8375's rated at 40 rms max. The CQ-C9700u kicks out 26 rms per channel, so i'd be safe going with that. The CQ-C9800U is rated by panasonic to kick out 60 watts rms per channel. However, upon reading the article that made me aware of this techknowledgy, i noticed an editors note saying that according to some new cea-2006 measurement, the headunit actually only kicks out 31 watts rms. The article is here http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-dmxvbjK4zfa/reviews/20040406/panasonic_cqc9800u.html?page=1

If you note on page 2 you see the editors note about the rms. My delema is, what if the speakers rms is overrated in the same way the headunit was overrated by panasonic. Should i just play it safe or go for the one that kicks out more? Help would be appreciated //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

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[azbass 5,000+ posts]

if you want real sound. get an out board amp.

 

[Mattism78 10+ year member]

I wouldn't buy an amp for it's power rating. Chances are you're most likely going to upgrade later on to a subwoofer. At which point you're also going to upgrade to an amp for it. Then you will need an external amp for the mids and highs anyhow. Why not just budget a small 4 channel amplifier into your setup now? You won't be putting the extra strain on your headunit that way as well.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I wouldn't buy an amp for it's power rating. Chances are you're most likely going to upgrade later on to a subwoofer. At which point you're also going to upgrade to an amp for it. Then you will need an external amp for the mids and highs anyhow. Why not just budget a small 4 channel amplifier into your setup now? You won't be putting the extra strain on your headunit that way as well.

Agreed. Headunit power FTL.

 

[BlackMesa]

Well, im not doing any competitions and im satisfied with the bass my 4 speakers put out, the only reason im getting a new headunit is because my headunit is rather cheap and doesn't have any crossovers and that sort of thing. The two headunits i mensioned above have .01 Total Harmonic Distortion and a signal to noise ratio of 96db, which is just a little over what my speakers are rated at for signal to noise. So basically my main concern is if i go with the more powerful headunit, how much am i risking blowing out my speakers? and is damaging speakers by underpowering a myth or is it real?

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

The only way to burn up the voice coil is if you clip the internal amp in the head unit. When you hear distortion you're at the amp's limits. As long as you don't continue to turn it up after that point you should be fine.

 

[Mattism78 10+ year member]

I have yet to hear of a case of a headunit blowing aftermarket speakers on it's own power.

 

[bjboertje 10+ year member]

i've done it, on purpose though.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Panasonic makes a nice deck, although they aren't the best. They've never really impressed me. I would look at Pioneers, Alpines and Kenwoods if you want something nicer.

I also agree that if you're looking for optimum sound quality, you shouldn't worry about a head unit's internal amp. They clip and distort like mad if you crank it up. An external amplifier will allow you to play your music loud and clear. And no, you won't blow your speakers off the 20w RMS or so the deck puts out.

 

[Frankensuby 10+ year member]

You guys haven't blasted Pre-02 Subaru systems then. Paper cones and crappy HU FTW! Or lose, whichever you prefer.

Oh ya, Mesa, what is your pricerange? Kenwood has better specs on decks less that 200$ and have recently proven to be reliable (except for the TFT screen versions) per dollar value.

Oh, and you can turn off the internal amp if you decide to get swallowed up into the money pit known as audiophilization. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Mattism78 10+ year member]

That's why I said aftermarket speakers. I blew the monsoon speakers in my WS.6 in a matter of days

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I have yet to hear of a case of a headunit blowing aftermarket speakers on it's own power.

And no, you won't blow your speakers off the 20w RMS or so the deck puts out.

If you over drive the internal amp within the head unit it will send a clipped signal to the speakers and eventually burn up the voice coil.