A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Im working my sounds system in my second 280zx now, and want a little more non-distorted volume out of the speakers.
I am think of buying a 25x4 amp and mounting it under a seat in order to pump more power to my speakers. Since my head unit delivers 50wx4, and all my speakers handle more than 75 watts RMS, I think the extra power would be safe. My understanding it that when I turn the volume up, distortion is coming from maxing out the power of the head unit. Will this added amplifier give me more undistorted volume out of the speakers?
Also, if I have 6x9 speakers in the back facing forward (against the rear panel going across) and a sub facing backwards (behind the rear 2+2 seats), will this cause destructive interference? Would it be better to have the speakers and sub all faicng forward against the back panel?
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Red 83 280zx 2+2
83 280zx Coupe SOLD
1st post 11/13/04
A:
You will be getting less watts with that 4x25w amp if your car is 4x50w. It is not 4x50w + 4x25w = 4x75w
A:
Dark_Z is correct, Whatever power the Amplifier puts out is what you get.
In order for you to remedy the situation I would suggest (to power 4 -75W RMS) you get at least a 4 X 130watt peak(max) amplifier. That should deliver clear enough signal power throughout the entire volume range.
As far as distortion (if remedy above does not solve) I would look into signal crosstalk in your audio wiring, and make sure that there are no live wires running parallel to your signal. Other than that, you might want to look into getting a crossover to filter out frequency that may not play well over your speakers.
Just throwing out ideas.
A:
Your radio probably puts out less than 50X4. I bet that is rated as peak output and is usually based on the ILS scale. In other words, If Lightning Strikes your car, your radio will put out 50X4. The RMS value is the number to look for. The 25X4 amp will be much better than the built in amp in the head unit. Reason is that the external amp will have much less inherent distortion because of better design. You will get more volume, with less distortion. The other thing to remember about trying to get more volume is to turn the bas down. On your full range and component type speakers, they are not meant to be a sub woofer. They have decent bass response, but only to a acertain level. If you want loud clear music, then get a good set of component speakers (Boston Acoustic are my favorite) and a good Sub with a separate amp.
I used build high end sound systems as a college job. The cars this shop had were high dollar. The customers wanted loud, good sounding music, not just a bunch of noise. We did some great stuff too.
Another tip: Don't turn the gain on the amp all the way up thinking you will get more volume. It puts the amp into distortion sooner and you actually lose quality while you "think" it's louder. Distortion is very bad for speakers. It builds heat in the voice coils very fast.
1972 240Z 4-speed, header, 3.54 R200, Crane XR-3000 Ignition, 280Z tach, Tokico Blue Struts, Suspension Tech Springs, Poly Bushings. Visit me at my website for your custom EFI & restored Datsun parts
A:
Avoid "clipping." That is when the sine wave hits the supply rails. I have a 4 X 25 watt Sony amp under the seat and it works great. Head units are rated P to P, (peak to peak) so the real watts are only 70.7% =(RMS) of that AND I like to have an aux amp to remove the heat from the head unit so it won't be like having a toaster in the dash! Norm K
Norman Krell
A:
what no one tells you is that the "rated power laws' for car amps is quite loose
in a home amp if it says 100 watts it is - in a car amp 100 watts is a pipe dream it can put out much less on a continus basis
i would go for the most powerful (within reason - 100 watts or so) amp you can afford because most distortion is caused by "clipping"
clipping is when your amp runs out of power
if you have to much power you can blow things also but you do not have to turn it up that loud do you
hope that helps
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