Need help with amp wattage

[ford freak]

clipping happens when the input to the amp is not good



I was referring to that statement. I know exactly what clipping is.

 

[corkey]

not good, too much, or not clean, if it is not clean, it will do the same thing,,

 

[ford freak]

not good, too much, or not clean, if it is not clean, it will do the same thing,,

So you're referring to input voltage from the source unit to the amp? what is bad voltage or dirty voltage? And how can too much voltage be a bad thing? I have an 8 volt eclipse sitting on my bench that has one of the cleanest signals you can get. i'm just not following your thought on this.

 

[corkey]

cheap audio products can spike voltages on output , such as in their amps or signal ouputs,, or the product can have issues with components not being up to par, and if that happens it will output a distorted signal, , the voltage isn't too high, but it is not clean, it goes low and/or high very fast and it will cause the amp to have problems ,, usually they get hot when this happens shortening their expected life span,,

 

[ford freak]

cheap audio products can spike voltages on output , such as in their amps or signal ouputs,, or the product can have issues with components not being up to par, and if that happens it will output a distorted signal, , the voltage isn't too high, but it is not clean, it goes low and/or high very fast and it will cause the amp to have problems ,, usually they get hot when this happens shortening their expected life span,,

I agree on cheap equipment but the issue with cheap equipment is almost always a much lower than advertised voltage. rating at 4 volts and barely measuring 2. The most common misunderstanding that leads to clipping is setting the gain to match the voltage. old school hu's I mean really os were almost all 2 volts and there isn't much wrong with that. just setting the gain correctly will yeild no issues.

I'm a moderator on a forum and one question that drives me crazy. My hu is 4 volts...where should I have my gain set to avoid clipping? This is an absurd question to ask. You can only give a shot in the dark answer to that. There are too many variables. In general....the lower the voltage the higher the gain setting to utilize the output of the amp. the higher the voltage the lower the gain to see the full potential. the only real difference in 2 to say 5 volts is a slight difference in noise interference.

Back to the dumb question. Source material. I listen to a lot of older music from the 70's and 80's. The recording level was much lower back then. Compare that to most of the new cd's today and the level is dramatically different.

The best tool for me to set my gains is my hearing. listening for distortion has always been my way to avoid damaging a driver. i haven't blown one yet.

 

[J_Train]

whatever all that means.... im going to buy this amp Kicker DX1000.1

http://www.halfpricecaraudio.com/Ki...ck-Class-D-ZX-Series-Amplifier-11ZX1000.1.htm

 

[J_Train]

Don't mean to step on toes but I talked to a tech from Rockford Fosgate he said basically what Corkey has been saying.

 

[ford freak]

Don't mean to step on toes but I talked to a tech from Rockford Fosgate he said basically what Corkey has been saying.

That Kicker amp should work rather well for you. I find it amusing that you had a conversation with a tech from rf and bought a Kicker amp though. You need to be careful with reps from some companies. Some of them are just flipping through a printed manual to give responses to people. I really piss off the ones at Crutchfield. they have almost no clue what they're talking about. You did buy a good amp however.

 

[ford freak]

If you want to have a real Conversation with a real tech rep contact this guy.


http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/members/andy+wehmeyer.html


He works for JBL/Harman. He is brilliant to say the least. I thoroughly enjoy having a debate with him.

 

[J_Train]

I'll give that a try when i get to doing my head unit and door speakers with tweeter all on there own amp. but after talking with most of you here and the RF rep i figured the kicker was perfect and priced well. not a 2500 watt amp or $80 and it only really puts out 500 rms, Rockford Was just a little out of my budget due to me rebuilding my transmission. but hell who knows by the time i am done with the trans i may have to wait for the kicker lol.

 

[ford freak]

There are a few other choices besides the Kicker that would work for you and save a few bucks.

 

[ford freak]

And while I'm thinking about it there are some other choices in subs as well. I do like the new RF subs but there are lesser know brands that can and will outperform them.




The FI would probobly be my first choice. That sub on 800 watts in a good box will sound incredible and get really loud. the SSA would be my next choice after that.

 

[J_Train]

Thanks I already have the Rockford Subs. Looking into the amps you posted about.

 

[ford freak]

I would rate them nak AQ and then the CDT. All great amps but the nak is really cheap. any of those would really make those subs pound.

 

[J_Train]

ok well thanks for the help again guys but i couldn't get my Uncles winch fixed so im going to buy a new winch rather then a Amp. I'll just wait and see if i can get one at the Moultrie Ga swap meet this fall from the rockford dealer they have good discounts around that time.