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I have my high range speakers, 2 front and 2 rear speakers all on one amp. A rockford 500.2, set to high pass filter. What I'm wondering is if I have all that power going to each little speaker why haven't they blown? I mean can you put just any old amp(besides class D) on your highs and not have to worry? 2 of the speakers on the amp are factory and they sound good, but I don't think they would be rated for that many watts.

Replies (7)

Swez on 04/4/2003 08:35:48
Well, it really depends on where your gains and HP filters are set, the actual ohms load the amp is getting per channel and how much power is coming out of each channel.

If we set the HP filter at 60-80 Hz and have small speakers and lots of power (75 RMS or higher) most stock speakers will not handle that well for very long. A very good quality Comp set will, but not stockers.

However, if you set the HP filter above 150 Hz, the mids may accept that, but can be very hard on cheap tweeters unless they have good crossovers and a stout voice coil.

Why have they not blown? I'd say, you are being reasonable with your amp gains and listening habits... or just lucky to date.

Swez

audionewb on 04/4/2003 10:53:42
Well on that particular amp I have the gain settings at almost halfway and I have the only crossover on the amp set at 80hz. So maybe I'm just getting lucky, I think those stock speakers are 5 in. speakers. Maybe that amp isn't powerful enuff to blow em.

Swez on 04/4/2003 13:25:47
Not sure what the power rating is on that amp and how you wired them to same. If wired in parallel, you may be close to 2 ohms per channel on this amp. (Maximum amp output)

If the speakers are wired in series, then your amp may be seeing ohm ratings above 8 ohms. Many rear channel stock speakers are higher than 4 ohms. Have seen many GM stocks that use 10 ohm speakers in rear deck speaker locations. (this cuts power output from the amp)

If you adjusted your HP frequency upward a tad... say 100 Hz, would be an extra margin of safety to your 5" drivers. Most OEM drivers of that size are very limited in power handling (25 watts maybe) and connot deal well with low bass frequencies.

Let your sub(s) handle the low stuff (below 100 Hz) and the interiors do the mids and highs.

I'd say the reasons they have lasted so long, is due to your wise choice on using the volume knob, proper gain settings on that amp and a healthy dose of good fortune. If you hear excess distortions coming from your interior speakers.... dial it back.

Swez

PS The best way to determine the distortion threshold of your interior speaks, is to open the doors, stand back a few feet and listen from outside the vehicle. It the highs are shrill and mids are muddy, have reached the limits of the system. Back er down a few notches.

GT_man on 04/5/2003 05:22:19
GM uses 16 ohm speakers in the rear deck of cavaliers......i dont know about the rest of their cars....but when i installed a system in my boys car i about crapped my self when i saw 16ohm on the magnet

Swez on 04/5/2003 12:55:01
That might explain why this system is still intact. The higher ohm levels of Stock speakers, limit the output wattage to speakers.

I too, am a bit surprized at your 16 ohm speakers. The last GM set I replaced, were 10 ohms. Go figure...

Swez

audionewb on 04/5/2003 18:54:00
well it's not a GM car. It's a subaru legacy, and I think they are 4 ohm speakers, but I'm not for sure.

Swez on 04/5/2003 20:56:41
You can measure them with an Ohmeter and know for sure what they are. If you get a DC resistance of ~3.6 ohms.... they are 4 ohm drivers.

I worked on a Subaru Forester a while back (4 years ago?) and the front door speakers (5" ?) were pretty basic. Was replacing the passenger power mirror on passenger side for a friend and the speaker I saw... well... not much to talk about. I was looking and listening to her system and though... boy, the stock stuff is really lacking. What fun I could have playing with this system.

I must admit, Subaru makes a pretty good product. Very dependable, easy to work on and the vehicle is pretty solid! I was impressed with Japanese design and engineering on this vehicle. Parts are not cheap... but other than that, a well made vehicle!

Swez