[zhp43867]

Yes.

I'm not sure about the quality of your OEM amp, but for me I using the same speakers going from OEM to amplified aftermarket HU. Made a huge difference.

Then I went to stand alone amp and it made an even bigger difference in sound quality.

:gossip:

 

[Mahkku]

:gossip:

Would you like to clarify? I appreciated his comment: if he's seeing better sound after installing an amp, that's valuable information to me and helps my decision.

 

[sqshoestring]

An amp doesn't increase the speakers range, but it allows a speaker to play the power sucking lows to their fullest without clipping them.

Right, when the amp clips meaning you are playing it louder than the amp can go without clipping.

Under that lets dispel any myths; there should be no difference in sound from one amp to the other, excepting slight response variations or one of the amps is not working properly. All an amp does is apply voltage to a speaker, larger amps can apply more voltage to make the cone move further. If an amp is not applying the voltage the music dictates that it can within its capacity (w/out clipping), something is wrong with it. Once the amp applies full rail voltage, it will clip after that.

If an amp sounds more dynamic than another, then the first amp was clipping, it has a filter to change the sound (eq built in), it is a super pos amp.

That said a small amp especially a small chip amp like a HU or some factory amps can barely make low bass because it takes multiples more power to do it. Some of them actually have a subsonic built in to keep bass out, many factory HU drop the bass past 2/3 volume for the same reason. Or the amp you have could just suck, you would find out when you put a real amp in with a power supply capable of playing at a normal volume, or its not large enough for you if you are clipping it. Cheap amps can have other noise issues like alternator whine and things like that aside from actually amplifying the signal. Most any brand name aftermarket amp can amplify the signal pretty well.

 

[M-Dub]

Right, when the amp clips meaning you are playing it louder than the amp can go without clipping.

Under that lets dispel any myths; there should be no difference in sound from one amp to the other, excepting slight response variations or one of the amps is not working properly. All an amp does is apply voltage to a speaker, larger amps can apply more voltage to make the cone move further. If an amp is not applying the voltage the music dictates that it can within its capacity (w/out clipping), something is wrong with it. Once the amp applies full rail voltage, it will clip after that.

If an amp sounds more dynamic than another, then the first amp was clipping, it has a filter to change the sound (eq built in), it is a super pos amp.

That said a small amp especially a small chip amp like a HU or some factory amps can barely make low bass because it takes multiples more power to do it. Some of them actually have a subsonic built in to keep bass out, many factory HU drop the bass past 2/3 volume for the same reason. Or the amp you have could just suck, you would find out when you put a real amp in with a power supply capable of playing at a normal volume, or its not large enough for you if you are clipping it. Cheap amps can have other noise issues like alternator whine and things like that aside from actually amplifying the signal. Most any brand name aftermarket amp can amplify the signal pretty well.

Very well put. I get flamed whenever I say that. But I guess its all in the wording.

 

[2_Lude]

That part isn't particularly true. The speakers will play their intended range with 1 watt or 500 watts. What the extra power will do is give you better dynamics, so you will have stronger midbass at the same average volume.

An amp doesn't increase the speakers range, but it allows a speaker to play the power sucking lows to their fullest without clipping them.

Yes you are correct I used the wrong terminology. Newb mistake. Range as in the frequency a speaker can play at can be achieved at any power level.

I meant to say with a bigger magnet it requires a bigger electric current to move the cone. With more air moving behind the cone, it is able to give a stronger mid bass sound.

The mid bass was one of the biggest difference when I went standalone amp. I could 'feel' the mid bass with the amp. Whereas before I could barely 'feel' anything unless it was clipping badly.

Anyways bottom line get an AMP ASAP! After you get one, you'll be wondering why you didn't get one earlier

 

[Mahkku]

This has turned into an excellent thread! After I choose and install an amp, I'll make a post noting the differences I observe.

 

[sqshoestring]

Very well put. I get flamed whenever I say that. But I guess its all in the wording.

So have I, but I don't give a chit its worth what people pay for it. But I try hard to be correct and welcome anyone to set me straight if I screw up, sometimes I do type a little too fast.

Any half way good amp is like a power drill; a bigger one will drill a bigger hole faster...but any of them will drill a small hole the same. Some look cooler, fit your hand better, last a lot longer, are quieter, etc, etc. Making the sound is kind of the easy part with amps today, making it cheaper is the hard part.

Myself I only run amps, around 50rms/ch or more minimum. I'll have nothing to do with HUs or factory amps, I have not run a HU amp for over 10yr and only did that time because couldn't put a system in that car due to no time/location I was working/living....so I put my good HU in and slapped a powered 8" tube in back. Was a small car and actually worked ok, but certainly not up to my speed and not impressive. The system I have now is marginal and needs work, I'll get back on it once I collect all the parts for the next trial.

Amps are so cheap, heck I just bought a used 130x2rms on epay for ~$35 tmd and changed my mind, took it to a pawn shop and made $10 on it. So why not use an amp? This was a middle of the road older amp, US company designed here Asian built, few scratches on it but worked fine. I tested it and it seemed to take a lot of current compared to some other amps I have and I didn't like that for a little car/alternator. Have a set of Kenwoods I can use for that project that seem more efficient and likely same quality. They are a lot of amp for the $. I would run a lightning bolt amp from walmart before I ran a HU, dirt cheap amp but they still work (until they break, lol).