Car Stereo Speakers?

Question

If i have a car stereo with 4 channels at 45 watts each, what size speakers should i get to stop any buzzing/distortion when the stereo is on full power?

Answer 1

You first need to make sure that the speakers are securely mounted.If they are loose then that may be the cause of the buzzing and distortion.If they are securely mounted then you need to determine if that 45 watt rating is a "RMS" that much power is always being put out by the stereo rating or a "PEAK" the stereo only put out that power much for short bursts rating.if 45 watts is the "RMS" rating then your speakers must be able to handle at least that much power.A few watts more power handling is always a good idea. if the 45 watt rating is the "PEAK" rating them a speaker that can handle what the stereos "RMS" rating plus a few watts power handling cushion is recommended.You need to how the stereos power out is measured.This information is either printed on a tag attached to the stereo itself or if you have the manual that came with the stereo that information should be printed in it.DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE STEREOS "RMS" RATING IS VERY LOW AND IT'S "PEAK" RATING IS MUCH HIGHER. Amplifiers are rated the same way with a mega "PEAK" rating and a low "RMS" rating.

Answer 2

When your stereo is at full power, you are probably over-driving it's amplifiers and that's why you are hearing distortion. This is very bad for your speakers and will eventually ruin them. This is true no matter what speakers you replace them with. If you want louder volume, you must buy a higher power amplifier.



You might want to consider buying a very high power amp and installing it just to a subwoofer. It takes a LOT more power to make bass notes than high notes. Get at least a 200 watt amp (single channel) from a reputable manufacturer to drive the subwoofer. I think you will then find that your other speakers are playing loud enough with the additional bass from the sub.

Answer 3

Small corrections on other people, distortion has nothing to do with blowing your speakers...none. If someone says something different, they are obviously new to car audio as well. However, that is a good question you asked. If you do hear a buzzing, then the internal amp is striving for more power. However, most factory speakers can only handle so much before they pop, so you will probably wanna replace those. One last word of advice, anyone who says it is better to overpower isn't to intelligent as well. As the user sparky best put it, every time you turn your volume down, you are decreasing the lvl of power your speakers get. Soooo, how can under-powering be dangerous.

Answer 4

Just replace your speaks with the same rated speaker that came with your car. It will tell you on the back of the old ones. It won't hurt to go a little higher but don't go a lot higher cause your stereo won't drive them properly. Getting 3-way or 4-way speaks will improve the sound. The rattling you are hearing could be caused by a blown speaker. Check to see if the paper in the speaker is torn. Make sure the mounting screws and brackets are all tight also. That will cause a buzzzzzz. Cheap speakers will buzz also. They can't handle the out-put of the stereo.

Answer 5

Can under powering and distortion ruin a speaker?



Yes... When we use a small amp to drive a high powered speaker, the speaker can take all the "clean power" the amp can deliver and more. But it's when we push the amplifier into high distortion ("clipping") mode, the speaker cannot move (motivate) in and out adequately to cool the voice coil. Eventually, this will even fry a very expensive speaker in this manner.



WHAT CAUSES THIS "CLIPPING" THING?

The amp will try to meet the power demand placed upon it, but it cannot exceed its design capabilities. This in turn, produces the deadly "square wave" output to the speaker. The speaker sees this severely clipped signal as something similar to DC current. Speakers cannot deal well with DC inputs. The cone goes in or out and stays there. No motivation to cool the voice coil and sooner or later, the speaker will fail.

Answer 6

its 45x4 max so its actually only around 12-15watts rms. the size speaker u want is whatever size is made for ur car

Answer 7

Get Alpine they have really low distortion levels. I can turn my up all the way and it won't distort at all both head units or amps.