Paying attention to 6x9 and 6.5 RMS ratings.

[KooK 10+ year member]

From what I'm seeing, speakers these days are demanding a crazy amount of power. Your average head unit puts out probably 20-25rms @ 4ohm (I assume) and as I'm looking at just 6x9's, they're telling me the speakers themselves can handle up to 100-125rms @ 4ohm each. I have an old RF 4 channel I can toss in that's rated at 62.5rms x4 @ 4ohm, but it's just hard to sit back and judge what the benefits are going to be I suppose.

So my question:

How worried should I be about the RMS rating of 6x9's (for example, Polk Audio DB691)?

What is the biggest benefit to putting in an amplifier to these speakers (is it only going to decrease clipping at higher volumes?)

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[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

From what I'm seeing, speakers these days are demanding a crazy amount of power. Your average head unit puts out probably 20-25rms @ 4ohm (I assume) and as I'm looking at just 6x9's, they're telling me the speakers themselves can handle up to 100-125rms @ 4ohm each. I have an old RF 4 channel I can toss in that's rated at 62.5rms x4 @ 4ohm, but it's just hard to sit back and judge what the benefits are going to be I suppose.
So my question:

How worried should I be about the RMS rating of 6x9's (for example, Polk Audio DB691)?

What is the biggest benefit to putting in an amplifier to these speakers (is it only going to decrease clipping at higher volumes?)

The best head units only put out at most 12 watts. The RF amp you have is a good one and better than what they make today. Adding power makes huge gains in clarity, response, output.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

x2 night and day diff once you amp them....

 

[VWBobby 10+ year member]

Most Kenwood head units are 22W RMS per channel. An amp will definitely increase your headroom and volume, however if all you need is better sound and not ear bleeding volume, a good head unit and speakers is fine for some people. I have 2 cars that are amped, and 2 that are not....Just depends on what you need.

 

[negolien]

I concur with the posts above. Anything like 6.5's or 6x9's really should be amped. 4x6's and smaller speakers like tweeters you can get away with using the head unit.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Any size of speaker can sound better with more power. It doesn't take much to make a head unit's chip amp clip.