Watts from Company A vs Company B

[Toofast4u 10+ year member]

Let's say you have a good budget amp that does about 1.5k. A brand like AP, MB Quart or Soundstream. Then you have a 1.5k amp that obviously isn't in the budget category, say Sundown or DD. If you switched from the budget amplifier to the more expensive one, all under the same conditions as before, could you notice a difference in loudness?

I'm asking because I've heard that a watt is a watt, regardless of the company as long as it's clean power. But I've also heard that people who have switched from budget amplifiers to better built ones have raved about how much louder it is, at least to the ear.

Click to read more...

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

O god here we go again

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

Really would depend on what the amps are truly rated at. But I wouldn't assume it would be a big enough difference to make a highly notice change in loudness. The better amps are better build quality and may last longer though.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

As long as amp A and B aren't clipping and have the gains set to be playing at the same power output there shouldn't be any difference.

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

As long as amp A and B aren't clipping and have the gains set to be playing at the same power output there shouldn't be any difference.

Dragon will disagree... We had this argument already... He said he could tell the difference if you swapped an AP amp with an SA amp without him knowing on the same setup and set correctly...

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Power is power. If they measure out the same on the clamp (unclipped), they will sound the same at the sub.

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

Dragon will disagree... We had this argument already... He said he could tell the difference if you swapped an AP amp with an SA amp without him knowing on the same setup and set correctly...

If he could actually tell the difference' date=' there is someone out there willing to give him $10k for his magical ears.

Richard Clark Amplifier Challenge FAQ

A watt is a watt is a watt. Any unclipped watt is the same from a Jensen to a Critical Mass, Boss to McIntosh.

 

[galacticmonkey 5,000+ posts]

Dragon will disagree... We had this argument already... He said he could tell the difference if you swapped an AP amp with an SA amp without him knowing on the same setup and set correctly...

Well then he will be the first person ever able to do so' date=' and should collect his $10,000.

Richard Clark Amplifier Challenge FAQ

 

[Epic0318 10+ year member]

Dragon will disagree... We had this argument already... He said he could tell the difference if you swapped an AP amp with an SA amp without him knowing on the same setup and set correctly...

i would honestly love to see him prove that

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Now Im gunna have to dig up the thread cuz Im gunna get called out on that I can already see it...

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

No one can tell the difference between A, A/B, B, G, G/H, T and D, Zed, Phoenix Gold, Sundown, Tru or Kraco It has been proven as linked above by Richard Clark who still has his 10k waiting for the magical prophet who can tell the difference.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Considering speakers are a reactive load, what it amp A puts out 1200W @ 1 ohm and 300w @ 4 ohm while amp B puts out 1200W @ 1 ohm and only 200W @ 4 ohm. Wouldn't dynamic music sound slightly different?

Just playing devil's advocate. In laboratory conditions, in theory they should sound identical, but in real world applications you may notice a difference in sound/performcance.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

No one can tell the difference between A, A/B, B, G, G/H, T and D, Zed, Phoenix Gold, Sundown, Tru or Kraco It has been proven as linked above by Richard Clark who still has his 10k waiting for the magical prophet who can tell the difference.

What amps do you use?

 

[galacticmonkey 5,000+ posts]

If he could actually tell the difference, there is someone out there willing to give him $10k for his magical ears.
Richard Clark Amplifier Challenge FAQ

A watt is a watt is a watt. Any unclipped watt is the same from a Jensen to a Critical Mass, Boss to McIntosh.

Just actually read the thread, and saw you posted the same thing right before i did.

Fail.

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

What amps do you use?

I compete sq with 2011 maxxsonic autotek amplifiers.