what is 100 watts a channel really like?

[SuBXeRo 1]

I have only had stock car audio so far in my cars and they always state their wattage here and there but, i am curious, what is 100 watts a channel really like. Im going to be buying speakers with a 90db sens and rated about 150 watts max around 70 or so rms, and well, what is it really like compared to a good stock system. Home audio wise, 100 watts is enough to really push high quality towers with beautiful sound, but then again, they are in enclosures which really compliment them. Car audio, a bit different.

Now ontop of that, what is 50 watts rms like. My gf has a caliber and just has coaxials right now, she can appreciate better sound but itsd not really her thing and i told her down the road i would swap things for her. I figure a decent set of comps, 50 watts rms, pretty good right? Keep in mind, i am talking sundown amps. The new 50x4 amp that will be released since the current one is being phased out would be a good amp most likely for her since the price will most likely be more friendly!

Input peeps!!!

[patented17 21]

Depends on if you use them in the stock locations, or if you set them right.

[shizzzon 461]

when i first bought my car, it came with stock pioneer speakers ran off head unit. Those screamed but only if ran into audible distortion.

I then upgraded to some Image Dynamics components and a SAX100.4. I am running each component set to it's own channel for it's 100w rating.

The output is just as loud as it was stock off head unit but the sound quality is crystal clear, no audible distortion. Now, if i start to crank it up past it's clip-free state, they start to appear louder than my stocks and still distortion free audibly!

[SuBXeRo 1]

i would be using the stock locations. I dont know what the wattage is of my comps now, i mean, they have pretty good midbass and stuff but just start to distort at higher volumes. I really just want to be able to justify the large expense of it all when upgrading.

[Notorious97200 339]

You'd better focus on buying the best comp set you can.

Then you change the stock head unit for a decent one.

With the money left(!!!) you can look for an amp AND for all the wiring!!!

I would have do it in this order.

What do you think?

[DeeCee 0]

car audio is very different to home audio. It is mainly the difference in near field and far field listening perspectives.

As you also touched on, the need for enclosures which are designed around the speakers is also important.

A speakers output is the result of the speaker design, sensitivity, build and materials, the enclosure and the source signal amplified cleanly (which sundown amps do with aploomb)

Having the power overhead of 30w extra for a 70w speaker will help ensure your music will not distort with dynamic pieces of music (unless you are clipping the hell out of it).

As others have suggested, buying quality equipment will increase the listening experience.

[SuBXeRo 1]

For reference purposes, i have a 2008 altima 2.5s with stock non-bose audio. Its a 4 speaker system 6.5" comps in the front and 6x9's in the rear deck. There are cutouts and grills already in the rear door for the bose system but no apeakers in them since i didn't get that package.

I was planning to buy a SAX 100.4D and then some rainbow SLC 265.25 NG comps for the front which would be woofer in door and tweeter in dash (stock locations) anfd then a second set in the rear doors with the stock woofer location and i would have to drill a location for the tweeters. I am not sure what i want to do with the rear deck as of now. What would you do?

I am also planning to upgrade to a yellowtop and redo the the body grounds with some 2 gauge cable. I was also going to sound deaden the doors with second skin damp lite me thinks. I was also going to buy monster cable wire. I know its more expensive and its just wire, i happen to really like them, i like the shielding quality that they put on them. I am trying to stick with the 200 series where possible and then the 300 for the thicker gauge wires.

My concern too is weight, with the additon of second skin it adds weight, it is a 2.5s and is a 4 cylinder so im not trying to bog it down. I won't be doing everything at one time, i will be doing it in pieces. The battery will probably be the last on my list with new grounds being a priority. I will probably second skin it before i get the comps or amp, but then again, it depends on where i am financially when i get the urge to do things. I am in AZ and its still bloddy hott during the day and i live in an APT so waiting until it's cooler out isnt a big issue.

[DeeCee 0]

can I dissuade you on the monster cable? You really are paying around 200 - 300% more for monster cable than other brands for the sake of a brand name. Money which could be invested into other areas of the system.

Tip - cover the utility holes in the door instead of using a mass loader / sound deadening. You want to make the door and enclosure. It will be cheaper initially I use comparable to McD's trays and cut them into shape with a jigsaw

If you are concerned about weight, then you really have chosen the wrong hobby lol. A 2.5L engine is plenty to cart around an extra 50 - 100kg of gear. Think of it just as an extra person..

Nix the second component set in the rear doors and chuck in some coaxials. Unless you are taking passengers around all day, then there is no need to give them all the aural pleasure that should be reserved for you

[SuBXeRo 1]

I can easily be disuaded from the monster cable, i just like th quality of it alot, any other suggestions for good quality wire?

Im going to be going into commercial real estate leasing so hauling people around might happen. Im sure i wouldnt be blasting the music, i just would like whoever is in my car to enjoy it. Its really just a pet peeve of mine to have the backseat sound like shit. I mean in the end, coaxials do the same thing as comps just not as good of a job. If i were to nix the comps in the rear, i would try to find a good sub/midbass to fit in the door that could really handle the lows better and then i would put comps in the rear deck. People will be in my car and i don't want someone ti say it sounds like shit, i want the overall experience to be good. I pondered the idea of doing subs in the rear deck or midbass, but the issues with that is, the people in the backseat are at the level where all they would hear is the bass, that kind sux, it may sound good to me as the driver but isnt pleasent for everyone else in the car.

Im not going to SPL, just sound quality as an overall experience.

[///M5 2,833]

I can easily be disuaded from the monster cable, i just like th quality of it alot, any other suggestions for good quality wire?

Im going to be going into commercial real estate leasing so hauling people around might happen. Im sure i wouldnt be blasting the music, i just would like whoever is in my car to enjoy it. Its really just a pet peeve of mine to have the backseat sound like shit. I mean in the end, coaxials do the same thing as comps just not as good of a job. If i were to nix the comps in the rear, i would try to find a good sub/midbass to fit in the door that could really handle the lows better and then i would put comps in the rear deck. People will be in my car and i don't want someone ti say it sounds like shit, i want the overall experience to be good. I pondered the idea of doing subs in the rear deck or midbass, but the issues with that is, the people in the backseat are at the level where all they would hear is the bass, that kind sux, it may sound good to me as the driver but isnt pleasent for everyone else in the car.

Im not going to SPL, just sound quality as an overall experience.

Rears are still a waste even for the backseat.

As for the wire question, wire is wire. If you can't measure a distinct difference in the LCR of it you SURELY can't hear it. On top of that Monster doesn't manufacture wire anyways, they just package it. Also a waste of dough.

[slim2fattycake 85]

Check this out for sound deadening: http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/products/vel

Talk to Don and he will step you through everything and explain to you how to achieve what you want.

Check out Knukonceptz for your wiring needs:: http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?Category=Amp%20Installation%20Kits

Their prices are very good and the quality of their products are great as well.

Also, I don't think you would need 2 gauge wires either for what you want out of your set-up. You don't sound like you're bass hungry so 2 gauge seems like over-kill for your purpose. Knukonceptz's wires have a higher strand count so they are a bigger size rate than some other companies. Their 4 gauge is actually as big as 3 gauge.

[SuBXeRo 1]

Ok so nix the rear comps and just do midbass in the door? I mean, either way, i want to have 6 speakers going in the end. What about the rear deck?

oOo i have heard of knukoncepts before, i havent been to their page in ages, i think i will take you up on your suggestion and go with them wiring wise.

[///M5 2,833]

Why do you want 6 speakers? If it is just to have "6" then you should rethink things, if it is for a logical reason then great but let's discuss so that we can recommend a speaker that will fill your needs.

Rear deck isn't very useful for much...depending on exactly what you need.

[SuBXeRo 1]

I like the way that my car sounds now. I just want to improve the sound quality, bass, and have a good full, clean, crisp sound. Im trying to avoid doing subs right now. I just have the rear doors, no speakers in them and i figured id try to use them. I have been in cars with comps in the rear doors and i think it helps the sound, but then again, thats just me.

[slim2fattycake 85]

Well, it sounds like you know what you want and sound quality is how you perceive it so it would only sound good when you think it does. Well at least until you go to competitions or have someone else listen to your car.

[SuBXeRo 1]

well than what would you suggest. I mean, im happy to be getting feedback, but so far, the only constructive suggestion i have gotten is to go with cheaper wire. I have given you guys fairly good if not great input on what i am trying to achieve and i have received very little input back on helping me figure out a solution. By now i was expecting to have gotten an explanation on sound staging, what typically is a good after market system as well as alternatives tpeople have seen for those in different situations. I hate to sound like an ass, but it seems to me that i am on a hifi car audio forum and you all should know more than I since im new to hifi car audio.

[jcarter1885 995]

well than what would you suggest. I mean, im happy to be getting feedback, but so far, the only constructive suggestion i have gotten is to go with cheaper wire. I have given you guys fairly good if not great input on what i am trying to achieve and i have received very little input back on helping me figure out a solution. By now i was expecting to have gotten an explanation on sound staging, what typically is a good after market system as well as alternatives tpeople have seen for those in different situations. I hate to sound like an ass, but it seems to me that i am on a hifi car audio forum and you all should know more than I since im new to hifi car audio.

Naw its just that many people on this forum believe all you need is a true 2 or 3-way front stage with good amount of power as all the interior speakers. Speakers in the rear deck can be thrown out if you are going to throw subwoofers into the car and I agree with this, gotten great results from that simple step. Then you do have some people who just want it balls out loud and speakers in front and rear doors like a surround sound style (instead of speakers in front of you like your in a concert and there singing at you). If the results from this forum werent what you were looking for then still pursue your goal and do it the way you want because it is your vehicle. Just know that in order to have a truly SQ car a 2-way or 3-way front stage is all you need.

[SuBXeRo 1]

now that is an answer that i can actually use. Thank you . With this, i can now decide how i want to do the system part wise since i am doing it as i go along.

Like i said before i apologize for seeming rude, i tend to be a very specific person when teaching and i like to be taught that way. You can't always assume that those who are learning know anything, so i tend to explain alot.

[///M5 2,833]

I like the way that my car sounds now. I just want to improve the sound quality, bass, and have a good full, clean, crisp sound. Im trying to avoid doing subs right now. I just have the rear doors, no speakers in them and i figured id try to use them. I have been in cars with comps in the rear doors and i think it helps the sound, but then again, thats just me.

6 won't help in particular with rears, unless you have some serious processing and utilize it correctly.