How much can you safely overpower speakers?

elitesystem · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 04:01 AM

I was just wondering this.
Do you pick a speaker and then pick an amp 10% under the RMS (100W speaker with 90W amp)?
Do you pick a speaker and then pick an amp 10% over the RMS (100W speaker with 110W amp)?
Is the "overdriving" dependent on the speaker manufacturer?
Also, is it possible to have an all USA made system? I know that my pioneer HU is made overseas.
please advice

Magoo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 05:14 PM

WTF are you talking about

HondaKillah · #3 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 10:12 PM

I usually get subs that are about 100 watts rms more than the amp can push....

ManicSquirrel · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 05:31 PM

and remember the amp numebers are usually MAX not RMS, so it might be a 200W 2 channel, but if it's a cheap amp it could be like 40 watts RMS per channel, and not even 200 max. I had one amp that was 200 but actually tested it at 261 watts max, so it depends. but don't put 100W RMS into a 50W max speaker....that's for sure.

spl hertz · #5 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 04:45 PM

u can put a 1000w amp on a 200w sub...as long as there is no distortion everything will be ok...just has to be tuned right...

illiniguy · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 10:46 AM

depends on how hard you push the volume knob. I had 400 watts going to a 175 Watt RMS sub and killed it when I was pushing the volume. Burned the voice coil. It really freaks you out when you have smoke in the car