What's "RMS" ??

[dogbert]

I was going to say that the last graph looks like some ppl's heart rate. Right 1lab?

That's mean!

[chpthril]

I was going to say that the last graph looks like some ppl's heart rate. Right ****?

HEHEHE

Ya'll need to quit this, my PM box is full already with unwarranted nasty messages.

[Graham Morris]

Clipping

Personally I prefer a slightly bigger / higher-powered amp, as in my first post above. Use settings, control, and sobriety to keep the stereo in check and the signal clean.

The smaller amplifer cannot drive the higher-powered speaker to its max potential, and an attempt at doing so will usually lead to clipping.

\
Can you please explain what clipping is and how clipping causes damage?

[CP3]

I was going to say that the last graph looks like some ppl's heart rate. Right 1lab?

HEHEHE

[da.bell]

I was going to say that the last graph looks like some ppl's heart rate. Right 1lab?

[time2kyl]

OK, who let the engineer in???

[philwsailz]

see if this helps.

Simply put, an amplifier with higher output power can put out more VOLTAGE for a given speaker load. A smaller amplifier delivers less voltage, hence less power.

The top picture in the series below can represent the electrical output of an amplifier that is exactly delivering its rated power. Notice that the output waveform is smooth and sinusoidal.

When you turn the amp up more, it tries to make the same shape wave, only bigger / taller. The rounded peaks are progressively missing in the second and third image. The flat lines at the top and bottom are at the horizontal line which is equivalent to the maximum output voltage capablilities of the amp. The curves that shoull be at the very top and bottom are "clipped off" hence the term clipping.

Put EXTREMELY SIMPLY, clipping represents a very brief moment where the output of the amp is DC rather than AC, and DC power makes no noise, it only makes heat.

This is one small graphic representation of why too small an amplifer can be bad for a higher powered speaker...

[buffman]

.... Use settings, control, and sobriety to keep the stereo in check and the signal clean. ...

SOBRIETY now that is funny

[philwsailz]

Great info guys thanks. I hope this next ??? doesn't make matter even more complicated

With regards to clipping, distortion, etc, is it better to have a slightly higher output amp then the driver's rated RMS and keep it in check with volume level, gain, and other settings, OR, a driver with a slightly higher rated handling then the amps output?

Personally I prefer a slightly bigger / higher-powered amp, as in my first post above. Use settings, control, and sobriety to keep the stereo in check and the signal clean.

The smaller amplifer cannot drive the higher-powered speaker to its max potential, and an attempt at doing so will usually lead to clipping.

[chpthril]

Great info guys thanks. I hope this next ??? doesn't make matter even more complicated

With regards to clipping, distortion, etc, is it better to have a slightly higher output amp then the driver's rated RMS and keep it in check with volume level, gain, and other settings, OR, a driver with a slightly higher rated handling then the amps output?

[dogbert]

Focus, guys, focus!

[philwsailz]

I had donks once. Doc gave me some penicillin and I got better....

[philwsailz]

what about bubbles?

[spharis]

You have experienced clipping distortion as well if you have donks where you live.

[philwsailz]

they get royalties from every stereo product sold, due to the inclusion of the band's name...