Speakers, Amp and wattage

[Lawsab]

Hi All,

New to the forum. I searched and consulted the FAQ, but couldnt find an answer to my short question. I'm not looking to start the debate between overpowering/underpowering speakers - I'm just looking for advice.

I have an Alpine amp that produces 75wpc plus an additional 300w for a sub. The sub I have hooked up to it produces 300rms, so I know I am good to go on that end. However, what is best in regards to front and rear speaker RMS? Is it better to get speakers that have 100rms each or should I get speakers with 55rms each? Alpine is the brand. Im just not sure what the safer bet is.

Thanks for the advice.

[AppleBonker]

If it were me, I'd probably go with the higher power speakers (though I'm sure that's also the more expensive option). Having head room is always a good thing. However, the key is making sure that the amp has the gains set appropriately (see the FAQ for instructions).

BTW, which amp and speakers are you referencing?

[Lawsab]

Thanks for the tips.

I have an Alpine PDX-5 amp, that produces 75wx4 per channel and 300w for the sub.

I am going by what Crutchfield says fits in the Altima. I was thinking of getting either Alpine SPX-13refs for the fronts (60w) paired with Alpine SPS-500 in the rear (55w).

The other scenario was to get Alpine SPR-13s in the front (100w) paired with Alpine SPR-13c in the rear (90w)

The sub I have is a Rockford Fostgate 10" punch 3, rated at 300w.

[rjdmmfl1]

I

If it were me, I'd probably go with the higher power speakers (though I'm sure that's also the more expensive option). Having head room is always a good thing. However, the key is making sure that the amp has the gains set appropriately (see the FAQ for instructions).

BTW, which amp and speakers are you referencing?

I would have to disagree with Applebonker on this one.. say you go with speakers that can take 100 watss RMS, but your amp is only pushing 75 watts RMS... that means that at max power output, you still will not be giving the speakers the amount of power they need tp function efficiently.. and since you're maxing out the power from your amp, you may get clipping at higher volumes.

Regarding headroom, its usually better to have more headroom on the Amplifier. Thus, if you go with 55 watts RMS speakers, you don't need to turn the amp gain all the way up just to reach the amount of power necessary to drive the speakers.

So basically, its more efficient to go with 75 watt amplifier pushing 55 watt speakers, than to go wth a 75 watt amplifier pushing 100 watts speakers.

Headroom is good on the amplifier so it isn;t working so hard!

[AppleBonker]

I guess I was thinking more in terms of head room for future upgrades (but that's how I plan my systems). After looking at the particular models, I'd go with the Type-X components (models SPX-whatever). They're definitely going to sound better than the Type-Rs will. Also, I'm not sure why Crutchfield is saying this, but they are claiming that the 6 3/4" drivers wont fit and are telling you to go with the 5 3/4" comps. I can assure you the 6 3/4" speakers will fit (I've got basically the same size in my doors):

I would look more at these

Those will give you better low frequency extension and should tie the system together much better.