So which manufactures actually put out rated power?

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

About the RF amp, eventhough it has 6db if headroom, does that mean its designed to continously put out 100 or 150 watts without fail?

You won't ask that of it so does it matter? Headroom is more important in a mid-hih amp IMO. The dynamic passages are the only time you'll ever really ask more of the amp than 20ish watts anyway. The Power series RF amps are really nice amps. I would run them myself. Can't say the same for the current Punch amps.

If I were buying new amps right now I'd be looking at Memphis, Audison LRx or DLS. If I'd just hit the lottery, Helix or Audison VRx CS.

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

Yes.
They designed a 150-200w x 2 amplifier and slapped a 50w x2 label on it.

And why in the world would they do this?

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

You won't ask that of it so does it matter? Headroom is more important in a mid-hih amp IMO. The dynamic passages are the only time you'll ever really ask more of the amp than 20ish watts anyway. The Power series RF amps are really nice amps. I would run them myself. Can't say the same for the current Punch amps.
If I were buying new amps right now I'd be looking at Memphis, Audison LRx or DLS. If I'd just hit the lottery, Helix or Audison VRx CS.

I know I won't, I was curious.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

And why in the world would they do this?

Because too many people get way wrapped up in how much an amp is underrated rather than how much power it puts out. They see an amp that is rated at 50x4 but will do 200x4 and consider it a better deal than an amp that is rated at 200x4 and does what it says. It doesn't matter that they are the same price and measure the same from a THD and s/n POV.

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

Because too many people get way wrapped up in how much an amp is underrated rather than how much power it puts out. They see an amp that is rated at 50x4 but will do 200x4 and consider it a better deal than an amp that is rated at 200x4 and does what it says. It doesn't matter that they are the same price and measure the same from a THD and s/n POV.

I think their marketing department is putting too much faith in the intelligence of the average consumer.

 

[Max_Power 10+ year member]

And why in the world would they do this?

I think it's because if and when people decide to compete with an amp like this, they can be registered for a lower watt class, and have more performance than the competition. Also I think it builds a loyal standing with the compay if you (the customer) know it will put out at least twice the advertised product. Its a way to make the consumer think they are getting a better built product.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[spl801 10+ year member]

If facts on true RMS power you are looking for. Check to see if the manufacturer is CEA rated. This is an organizatioin that will test the amp and if approved the amp does what it says it does. There it is. If the company is to chicken shi* to get rated by CEA, they might not be worth it.

But as Max Power commented, there are those companies that slap a low number on an amp, and the consumet will bitc* slap the other guys at the compitition with it. I remember one in piticular. it was from Orion, it was a 1 watt mono amp, 1 watt by 1 chanel as rated by orion. This thing did an easy 1000 watts clean. People were entering in the 0-100 watt class and killing it.

Peace

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

back in the day rf amps were allunder rated, sound stream was orion was ppi pro mos series were, pg (even the entry level). as of now if i went rf i would go power series, sound stream only the piccaso or the new refference line....memphis is decent. people complain about hifonics entry level stuff being over rated (950ish watts instead of 1200 not alot of difference there to the ear and for the price why complain? lol) really just have to look at what you really want to use it for.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

If facts on true RMS power you are looking for. Check to see if the manufacturer is CEA rated. This is an organizatioin that will test the amp and if approved the amp does what it says it does. There it is. If the company is to chicken shi* to get rated by CEA, they might not be worth it.

The CEA-2006 was a committee that set forth standardized voluntary amplifier measurement guidelines. The standard was designed and recommended by a committee composed of members from "The Consumer Electronics Association" (CEA). They do not physically test the amplifiers prior to allowing them to use the CEA-2006 logo. It is up to the manufacturer to make truthful representations.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

I think it's because if and when people decide to compete with an amp like this, they can be registered for a lower watt class, and have more performance than the competition. Also I think it builds a loyal standing with the compay if you (the customer) know it will put out at least twice the advertised product. Its a way to make the consumer think they are getting a better built product.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

It used to work like that. This is the reason "cheater amps" were developed.

But anymore most organizations either don't categorize classes by wattage, or place amplifier's into classes based actual power output....thus severe underrating really has no effect on the competition scene.

Most underrating anymore is done for marketing purposes.

 

[MBrock4u 10+ year member]

Yeah I guess those amps do if your going to power roadmasters or sparkomatics. Get real!

 

[MBrock4u 10+ year member]

Thanks! I'm glad we have knowledgeable motorators here to give us the PROPER perspective.

 

[savagebee 10+ year member]

I have heard nothing but great things about the zed amps.... I know they'll do rated power...

the 9.2x is also a good amp, but even with me being an ed fan (fan, not fanboy), Iwould go for the zed stuff... especially if you're not worried about cost and you're going for sq

 

[jlfx car audio 10+ year member]

if you want top quality go DD or go home a looser you will get your moneys worth get a S2,C4,Z1 and you wount be disapointed and you will put every local to shame

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

^^^^ WTF is that?!? Shut up! It is obvious that you have nothing usul to contribute to the topic at hand so STFU!