Re: Premium audio Watts?

["Mark Radelow" <rpcprod@hotmail.com>]

Hi Andy, Mark here.  Regarding the stock stereo.  If you have a Premium 
Stereo in your Mexican-made car then, most likely, it is actually a 
Clarion head unit.  As far as RMS power is concerned you are probably 
looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of between 12 to 15 watts RMS 
(Remember it only takes, on average, one watt to drive a speaker at 
90decibels).  I powered subwoofer would be a good way to go if you 
wanted to be nice and conservative (nothing wrong with that).  Regarding 
the different types of enclosures.  The three main types are sealed, 
ported, and bandpass.  Unless you are looking to BOOM!BOOM! I would not 
consider a bandpass.  The whole reason bandpass boxes are so popular is 
that the design of the box cancels out any distorting waves.  The 
speaker still makes them, you just don't hear 'em.  Good if you want to 
boom, bad if you care about your speakers ;).  The next type of 
enclosure is the ported box.  This is what most home speakers have 
because it enables relatively small speaker/wattage combinations to put 
out a good amount of bass.  The problem is that if the box is not built 
perfectly to the type of speaker you are using the sound will be 
horrible!  This type of enclosure is good if you are looking to have 
good bass but have a relatively small power supply (although I would not 
recommend them).  The third type, which is also the most popular and my 
personal favorite, is the sealed enclosure (I also know the most about 
these).  Simply put, a sealed enclosure is exactly like a ported box 
except there is no "port" to the inside of the box.  What makes the 
sealed enclosure so good is that bass response is excellent except down 
way low.  Since the speakers are closed in the back they have excellent 
dampening.  What this means is that the sealed box controls speaker 
excursion very well.  This translates to really tight bass that has 
excellent transient response.  Transient response is the ability the 
speaker has to make fast transitions from different notes. Like a bass 
guitar planning rapidly.  The disadvantage is that the sealed box is the 
least efficient and thus requires the most power.  But it really is not 
that bad.  In my old car I had 2 JL Audio 10 inch subwoofers in a 1.67 
cubic foot box and with 50 watts running to each of them I was able to 
hit 126 decibels.  That is MUCH louder than you ever need.  All this 
information is assuming the box is built correctly (each speaker has 
different paramters for box size, etc. etc.).  It really depends on what 
kind of music you want to listen too.  Okay I am rambling on now and 
this is probably more info than you ever wanted.  I'll shuddup know.  If 
you want more info email me.


Mark Radelow
VW Jetta Homepage
jetta.aosi.net

>From: ANDREW_ATWELL@HP-PaloAlto-om20.om.hp.com
>Date: Tue, 5 Aug 97 12:44:47 -0700
>Subject: Premium audio Watts?
>TO: gti-vr6@dev.tivoli.com, jettaglx@igtc.com
>
>Item Subject: cc:Mail Text
>     Anyone know the RMS power rating for the Panasonic Premium Audio 
head 
>     unit?  I am thinking about a small upgrade.  keeping factory head 
unit 
>     and speakers, put bass blocking circuits on the stock speakers, 
and 
>     adding a powered Collins 8"subwoofer.  Any thoughts?  suggestions? 
>     Comments?  Anyone have experience with the Collins Subs? or could 
give 
>     me insite on the pluses and minuses of enclosed vs. tube/vented 
vs. 
>     bandpass subs?
>     Thanks 
>     andy


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