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The selection of an amplifier size is not obvious and most sound engineers will agree that an amplifier with the same output rating as the speaker rating is not a good choice. Here's why:
Speakers can take quite a lot of abuse. They can cope with signals that are distorted as long as they are low levels. They can cope with being over driven as long as the signal is clean. What they really don't like is a distorted signal when it is at full power. Signals that are distorted because the amplifier is clipping the top and bottom of the waveforms are some of the worst distortions that a speaker can suffer. Amplifiers produce exactly this kind of distortion when they are driven beyond their power rating.
If the amplifier output is the same rating as the speaker input rating, this clipping will occur when the amplifier has reached its maximum output which is also the maximum power that the speaker can handle. This delivers the distortion when the speaker is least able to handle it.
If the amplifier is much smaller than the maximum speaker power, the distortion tends not to be damaging even though it sounds unpleasant. If the amplifier can output more power than the speaker is rated to handle, you will start to hear unpleasant sounds from the speaker but normally the speaker sill not be damaged in this situation. In either case, a sensible operator will reduce the drive to the speaker and both amp and speaker are happy again.
Generally a professionally designed sound system will use amplifiers that are substantially larger than the speakers' rating. That allows the speakers to be driven to capacity without a danger of the amplifiers being over driven. A 400W speaker will often be driven by an amplifier with a rating of 600W - 800W.
In addition, most big systems will employ a speaker controller of some sort. These devices monitor signal levels and prevent the amplifier over driving a speaker. Although they provide a good protection system, they need to be set up manually so demand a significant amount of knowledge to be used effectively. In a commercial environment, speakers controllers are often locked away from all tampering fingers to prevent the setting being adjusted.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoYou can but be careful. It's actually better to use an amp with a greater rating than the speaker. If a lower powered amp goes into clipping it will send a square wave to the speaker and blow the high end transducer (tweeter). In recording studios 60 watt Yamaha ns-10's are often powered by 400/Chan amps. The trick is to use a 1 amp fuse to the speakers so they don't get damaged if you get too loud.
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If you have a sub woofer with 400 watts continuous power and 800 watts peak power do you need a 400 watt amp or a 800 watt amp?
well, your lookin at RMS when it comes to speakers and amps, if you bought a 800 watt amp, you would be looking at 400 RMS just as you do with your speakers, i would recommend a 1600 watt amp, just for the fact that you always want a little play room with your amp, this way you wont blow the amp, (amps are more expensive than speakers), and if you decide that you want to get bigger speakers, you will not have to replace the amp. But all in all, i would say anywhere from 1200 to 1600 would do just fine for your sub..-Shocker
What is the wattage for the Technics SU-Z11 amp?
45watt + 45 watt
Current drawn by a 250-watt incandescent lamp operating at 120 volts is?
2.083 amp
How many watt DC to AC converter do you need to run a 6 amp power tool?
The formula for watts (or power) is Amps times voltage. Therefore with a 6 amp draw times 120 volts would be about 720 watts. A 1000 watt power inverter would do the job.
How amps needed to supply 1950 watts?
That depends on circuit voltage. 1 watt is equal to 1 volt times 1 amp.
Will it sound bad if you use a 400 watt speaker with a 300 watt amp?
No, that's just the maximum capacity of the speakers. You can always run them at less than their maximum rating.
What will a 3000 watt amp do to a 300 watt speaker?
It will have the potential to over drive the speaker elements and can cause distortion and potential speaker damage.
Can a 1200 watt amp power a 300 watt box?
yes it can
What is louder sub on 300 watt amp 10'' 300 watt or 10'' 600 watt?
They can be as loud, as the amp is not delivering 600 watts. The 10" sub rated at 600 watts is able to withstand more power.
Can a twin 300 watt speaker destroy a 250 amp?
I am not a sound man but an electrician. But as I understand it, speakers only receive power. So if you connect 300 watt speakers to a 250 watt amp, you can only get 250 watts out of the speakers. If this understanding is correct, this could not blow your amp. I might say, however, that in most things electrical, they are not intended to be used at maximum output for very long. So if this understanding stays true with sound equipment, then running your 250 watt amp at maximum output in an attempt to get 300 watts out of it, this could shorten the life of your amp even though you never actually overload it.
Can a 1200 watt amp power a 1300 watt sub?
It's actually a good idea to have a speaker that can handle higher wattage than the amp can produce.
Can you blow out your speakers if you use the wrong power amplifier?
Speakers can be blown if the wrong power amplifier is used and damage can be done by either overpowering or underpowering the amp. For example, if the power rating of the speaker is 300 watts capacity you will need a 300- to 600-watt amp.
Can you use a 52 watt stereo with 1000 watt speakers?
sure you can, your amp will only deliver 52 watts to the speaker, more importend would be the impedance of the speaker . it should be equal to what your amp has! may be 8 ohms
Will a 600 watt amp be any louder then a 400 watt amp with 400 watt woofers?
It will, but only 1.75 decibels louder. The smallest change in loudness that most people can detect is 1 decibel, so the difference between 400 and 600 watts would be barely noticeable.
Can you use a 600 watt amp on a 300 watt speaker?
AS long as the impedance is a match you can use any speake with any amp. But if the power ratings are too mismatched don't expect it to sound that good. If the amp is stronger than the speaker, the speaker can be damaged if you crank the amp up high. And if you hook an amp to a too strong speaker the amp might have trouble powering it properly.
How big an amp should I use to power 500 watt speaker PA monitor?
1000W will be suitable. See the specifications of speaker.
What amp goes best with 4 5.25 100 rms each kappas speaker's and 2 6x9 kappas 110 rms each would a kicker amp with680 total rms be to much?
Well the best route is a 400 watt 4 channel amp for 5.25's. Then a 200 watt 2 channel amp for 6x9's. Or any amp that is no more than 100 watts per channel.
