30 x4 amp vs. 22 x4 HU ??

[aras]

I have a kenwood excelon kdc-x869 that outputs 22rms x4. I'm debating weather or not to get a 30rms x4 amp to run my front door speakers and rear door speakers.
Will the 8 watt's more make a big difference. I'm not sure what it will sound like. I'm sure that it will make the signal a little bit more clear, but not sure if it would be worth the money. My other option is to go with an amp with more power, 40rms x 4.

any thoughts?

 

[ShadowA2J]

What kind of door speakers do you have? What kind of power can they handle?

 

[aras]

the door speakers are the kenwood component 6x8's. they can handle up to 55rms

 

[ShadowA2J]

Well then I suggest you buy something that can give you around 55 watts RMS. This will give you the best sound you could possibly get out of those speakers. Also, if you hook up a 30x4 amp, find out it's not enough, you just wasted some time and money. It shouldn't cost you too much more to pick up those extra 25 watts per channel.

 

[aras]

Can you push speakers to the absolute brink. I mean if a speaker can handle 55rms then pushing 55rms into would be okay? At all volumes or no.
That's what I'm worried about. I don't want to get something to high and then turn the volume up and kill my speakers, but I guess that's what the up to X amount of peak wattage is specked for right?

 

[ShadowA2J]

RMS is referred to a lot as continous power, meaning that it can handle 55 watts consistently. Or up to say 110 watts for very short periods of time, meaning peak. you can always keep the gains down a little on your amp if you are worried about blowing your speakers, but i don't think you would have any problems.

 

[Haggard]

Another plus to running a seperate amp is the built in crossover or high pass filter

 

[terdrocket]

if you don't have the cash for a 50x4, you WILL hear the difference between the head units power and a 30x4.
just thinking of only the numbers (just 8 watts) does not put it into perspective.

the head units numbers (no matter what they say) are B.S.
Any decent amp running 30x4 will satisfy your needs,
although 50x4 is much nicer.

 

[gasisontheright]

A while back I did some research about this same thing. A head unit is small and does more than just provide power to the speakers. Realistically you are running a lot less than 22 watts to your speakers.

An amplifier (whatever the power 30 x 4 or 50 x 4) will be a huge improvement. Take a look at the size difference between your head unit (which has no way to disipate the heat) and a 30 x 4 amplifier.

The efficiency of the speakers is very important when you are buying power for them. You may only need 22 watts from an amp to make yourself deaf in 2 months. Talk to a local car stereo shop that sells your speakers and see what they have to say. Good luck.