Car Audio Amplifier Technical Explantion

[FalconGuy016]

I need an argument, a persuasive speach, something of that sort, from anyone (miscue miscue) who knows (miscue miscue miscue) anything about car audio (miscue). The most TECHNICAL as possible explanation but as well as regular knowledge of how an amp effects SOUND QUALITY and not just VOLUME. Target Audience: Someone who believes that an amplifier is purely for the purpose of increasing volume, and thats all. A stubborn person at that

Thank you so much (miscue) everyone

[Miscue]

Eh. Look it up dude.

Is this for a paper, or explaining to parents?

Well... your system's sound quality, before we even get into speakers, depends heavily upon the amps. A good amp can provide ample, clean power with low harmonic distortion (THD), which allows the cones to move correctly and accurately reproduce the source.

In order to properly drive your speakers you need to have enough clean power... "clean" is important. The problem with all decks is that they are severely underpowered, and they all sound like crap compared to even a decent, inexpensive amp. If a deck is labeled as 50x4 watts or something, it's more like 13x4... they use a deceptive rating system... and it is not its true RMS rating. Some high end decks do not even have a built-in amp, because it's believed that removing it can improve sound quality by reducing interference induced by the internal amp.

"Amp" of "Amplifier" has the connotation of "loud," and I think this is what frightens most parents. Now, of course added power and what not implies louder - but more importantly, sound quality can be improved dramatically. This does not mean that you'll be one of those obnoxious vehicles that blasts too loud. Those are annoying.

Even at low volumes, a system with a decent amp versus power off a deck will sound better. If worried about your ears, distortion will hurt your ears faster than anything - and guess what, a system on a good amp will have less distortion and you can actually turn it up louder with less impact on your ears... although I personally keep it low usually - and don't recommend you to get unreasonable with it. Also, you may end up turning your volume LOWER, because you can hear it better as the sound is being reproduced better.

Amp = Good.

My dad noticed that my system sounded way better than his, particularly at low volumes... and asked me how that happened. I told him that if he wants it to sound like that, he'll have to get an amp and a new deck... just isn't a way around it. In a few years, I might borrow his vehicle for a day and get him an XMas present.

[gimp]

One of my professors is a huge audio buff. He teaches an EE class, so I hear all the good stuff about how audio equipment works. But, unless you've had some EE classes, then it will just sound like jiberish. Search google for something easily explainable.

[FalconGuy016]

Thanks a bunch Miscue(and gimp, if you still want to explain even in the most technical way, that would be great also)

And Miscue? I know we have been through this in a HUGE thread before, but, I want another opinion from you. ~200-300 deck and same for amp (OR LESS), what would you buy ? Thanks

[Miscue]

Eh... tell me price range, and what you want system to do for you.

[FalconGuy016]

Originally posted by Miscue
Eh... tell me price range, and what you want system to do for you.

$200 - $300 deck, $200 or less amp, for as much all around sound quality as I can get. Super loud is not really needed either