| Amplifiers provide the necessary music power, measured in watts to drive the speakers. High Power amplifiers require a large gauge cable to provide adequate current to the amplifier. The amplifier is a very important component of a loud speaker system. Make sure that the total power handling capacity of the speakers connected to the amplifier or head unit is greater than or equal to the power of the amplifier or head unit.
Peak, Max, and most
non-conditional watt claims
refer to the amount of power
that a component can
generate or handle on a momentary basis. The unit, however, cannot sustain
this level continuously.
RMS, or Continuous watts
indicate how much power
can be exchanged on a
constant basis, at the
rated load, without damaging
the unit. In some cases,
the stated Max or Peak
power is equal to roughly
twice the actual RMS power.
However, a few manufacturers
exaggerate Max or Peak
power claims -- sometimes
up to five or ten times
actual RMS power.
Gain & Volume:
Keep the gain on your
amplifier below 65% and
the volume of the receiver
below 50% with typical high
amplitude (loud) music.
This may help avoid
destructive clipping distortion |