Basic watt questions
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Basic watt questions
The stock hu in a 2000 f150 is 17w by 4 i think. What is the max watt? The old Eclipse I had was 11w by 4 with a max of 35w. I'm looking at a couple of hu s . One has 18w by 4 with a max of 50,another has 22 by 4 with a max also of 50. Will there be much differance in these 2? My old Eclipse was good enough for me. Also do they all produce sound the same way or are some Hu better than others ? Better sounding than the oem?
Post Fiend
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Practically any aftermarket HU will sound better than the OEM HU. OEM...well...it sucks. lol. Plain and simple. The 17W x 4 may be max honestly, they're pretty low powered. The second one you mentioned would be "better" in terms of pure power, but you don't mention models. Wattage isn't everything. The signal clarity is a big thing. When you crank it, does it sound good. That's super important. If you don't want super clarity (which requires an amp) or super loud (which you'll need new speakers for, and an amp...), you just need a clear HU, power isn't the most important thing.
Senior User
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From: Central Ohio
Buy a HU with the features you like and want. Do not worry about the advertised power. Talking about the differences between 12 or 17 or 20 watts, etc., is meaningless, especially when refering to HUs. Like mentioned, you may enjoy some difference in clarity and detail, but loudness will not be an astounding change. To notice audible changes in loudness, BIG increases in power are needed. For example, with a speaker with 92dB sensitivity(that means it will produce 92dB at 1 meter with 1 watt of input), it will only be approximately 6dB louder with 60 watts input than with 15 watts input. It is certainly noticeable, but not as great as some people may think.
Post Fiend
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Linear hit everything I missed. Get what you need.
I'd say skip the Walmart stuff, but other than that you can't go seriously wrong, just take your time and get what you want, in the end that's what's important.
I'd say skip the Walmart stuff, but other than that you can't go seriously wrong, just take your time and get what you want, in the end that's what's important.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Linear hit everything I missed. Get what you need.
I'd say skip the Walmart stuff, but other than that you can't go seriously wrong, just take your time and get what you want, in the end that's what's important.
I'd say skip the Walmart stuff, but other than that you can't go seriously wrong, just take your time and get what you want, in the end that's what's important.
at the frequency response of the amplifier, but in a vehicle, the speakers &
space will limit the frequency response.
Check out this URL, it is a good reference on distortion:
http://www.analog.com/library/analog...ersary/13.html
Last edited by Bob Ayers; Jan 29, 2006 at 05:52 AM.
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Senior User
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From: Central Ohio
Speaking of distortion, for those who may not be aware, HUs are notoriously bad for trying to use as the sole amplification for a system, UNLESS the user can be happy with medium volume levels, tops. Because of the power supply limitations of HU amps, they are very easily driven beyond their capabilities and a phenomenon known as "clipping" occurs, which is the MOST audible form of distortion. I won't get into a long description of clipping, but suffice it to say that excessive clipping over long periods destroys both amps and speakers. So, if a user wants LOUD, CLEAN playback with minimal distortion, dedicated amps(and decent speakers) are a necessity. Some people may say that their system plays loud and clean with only a HU, but all I can say is their perception of loud and clean and their experience of hearing loud and clean is different from mine.
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by LinearPower
Speaking of distortion, for those who may not be aware, HUs are notoriously bad for trying to use as the sole amplification for a system, UNLESS the user can be happy with medium volume levels, tops. Because of the power supply limitations of HU amps, they are very easily driven beyond their capabilities and a phenomenon known as "clipping" occurs, which is the MOST audible form of distortion. I won't get into a long description of clipping, but suffice it to say that excessive clipping over long periods destroys both amps and speakers. So, if a user wants LOUD, CLEAN playback with minimal distortion, dedicated amps(and decent speakers) are a necessity. Some people may say that their system plays loud and clean with only a HU, but all I can say is their perception of loud and clean and their experience of hearing loud and clean is different from mine.
designed to take the MAX preamp levels. Most clipping occurs with a separate
power amplifier, where the inputs are over driven. You are correct, that "clipping" can destroy speakers. When "clipping" occurs, the amp will drive the speaker with DC, which will over heat the voice coil.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Abilene Kansas
Actually, most HU's do not clip. This is because the audio output circuits are
designed to take the MAX preamp levels. Most clipping occurs with a separate
power amplifier, where the inputs are over driven. You are correct, that "clipping" can destroy speakers. When "clipping" occurs, the amp will drive the speaker with DC, which will over heat the voice coil.
designed to take the MAX preamp levels. Most clipping occurs with a separate
power amplifier, where the inputs are over driven. You are correct, that "clipping" can destroy speakers. When "clipping" occurs, the amp will drive the speaker with DC, which will over heat the voice coil.
Matt
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by fordboy_52
id argue with this, i have put my headunit on a scope a couple of times and it will clip every time. mine turns from a nice wave into a line that looks like a 2 year old drew it
Matt
Matt
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by fordboy_52
yes, i read it on a dual scope, one of the actual speaker and one of the hu. it was a project for my electrical engineering class.
Matt
Matt
Also, are you familiar with the design of the HU output stage?
Last edited by Bob Ayers; Jan 29, 2006 at 07:33 PM.
Post Fiend
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
But to the common listener, the distortion isn't bad enough to not warrant cranking it. I mean you see teenagers driving around all the time (I reserve the right to talk about them, being I am 16) with their radios maxed out, the radios distort like no other, trying their hardest to pump out good sound (failing miserably might I add), and giving up SQ for SPL. They don't care. I'll crank my HU any time I feel like it, to others it's just not noticable.