Speaker OHM and WATT Question
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 165
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Speaker OHM and WATT Question
I have a '12 Street Glide that I recently updated the fairing speakers and added an amp. The speakers were from J&M, the 7.25 (HCSK-7252GTM ) and the amp is ELF 2125XN.
Unfortunately, I had an issue with the amp and it fried, not sure why, followed the instructions to the letter. Contacted Saad from ELF and he sent me a replacement amp right away (very happy with the customer support I received). When the amp fried, it had an adverse affect on the speakers too. I contacted J&M, told them what happened, and they aren't going to send me replacements since I used a NON J&M amp.
I'm now in the market for 5 1/4" speakers again (Car/Motorcycle/Marine), I dont give a rats ***, 2ohms, 4ohms. I just want something that's going to withstand the system. According to the amp installation guide/specs, here is the following:
Power output, MAX 480watts
Power output @ 4ohms RMS 80 x 2
Power output @ 2ohms RMS 125 x 2
Power output @ 4ohms bridged RMS 250 x 1
I know that there are speakers out there that do 200w, 300, 320, 400.
Can someone steer me in the right direction...at this point...I'm looking for overkill!
Thanks,
Jay
Unfortunately, I had an issue with the amp and it fried, not sure why, followed the instructions to the letter. Contacted Saad from ELF and he sent me a replacement amp right away (very happy with the customer support I received). When the amp fried, it had an adverse affect on the speakers too. I contacted J&M, told them what happened, and they aren't going to send me replacements since I used a NON J&M amp.
I'm now in the market for 5 1/4" speakers again (Car/Motorcycle/Marine), I dont give a rats ***, 2ohms, 4ohms. I just want something that's going to withstand the system. According to the amp installation guide/specs, here is the following:
Power output, MAX 480watts
Power output @ 4ohms RMS 80 x 2
Power output @ 2ohms RMS 125 x 2
Power output @ 4ohms bridged RMS 250 x 1
I know that there are speakers out there that do 200w, 300, 320, 400.
Can someone steer me in the right direction...at this point...I'm looking for overkill!
Thanks,
Jay
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 1
From: Menomonie, WI
If you want the sound and want to match the amp RMS I would recommend you go to 6.5 speakers. And then I personally like the polks. They are marine certified and sound good. I have tryed a few different speakers and the polks rock. But that was in my budget range.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
The first question is: How many speakers per channel? If it's one per channel (which is what it sounds like you're doing), the following advice is correct. If it's 2 or more speakers per channel, then we'll have to recompute your needs...
If you buy 2 ohm speakers, get speakers that are each rated for at least 125 watts RMS. If you buy 4 ohm speakers, get speakers that are each rated for at least 80 watts RMS. This is the short answer, for one speaker per channel.
If you double those ratings, i.e., 125/250, 80/160, you'll have more than enough safety margin. But if it were me, I'd be ok with the minimums.
As for which speakers to buy, just use this guideline and you ought to be ok as far as power-handling goes, regardless of what make/model speakers you choose.
The lower the ohmic rating (ohms/impedance) of a given speaker, the MORE power it will allow the amplifier to deliver. This is ok to the point where the amp TRIES to deliver more power than it's rated for. At this point, things heat up and bad things happen to your system...and your wallet.
Alan
If you buy 2 ohm speakers, get speakers that are each rated for at least 125 watts RMS. If you buy 4 ohm speakers, get speakers that are each rated for at least 80 watts RMS. This is the short answer, for one speaker per channel.
If you double those ratings, i.e., 125/250, 80/160, you'll have more than enough safety margin. But if it were me, I'd be ok with the minimums.
As for which speakers to buy, just use this guideline and you ought to be ok as far as power-handling goes, regardless of what make/model speakers you choose.
The lower the ohmic rating (ohms/impedance) of a given speaker, the MORE power it will allow the amplifier to deliver. This is ok to the point where the amp TRIES to deliver more power than it's rated for. At this point, things heat up and bad things happen to your system...and your wallet.
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Jun 28, 2012 at 08:43 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 20
From: Southeast GA
If you go with 2 ohm speakers, the amp will put out more power without having to work as hard. I wouldn't worry so much about speaker wattage ratings. Just get the best you can afford from a good brand name. Your Elf amp will deliver 125 watts per channel using 2 ohm speakers but that is wide open. You'll never use that kind of power on a 5 1/4" speaker (or you shouldn't anyway).
Most of the speakers you'll find will be 4 ohm but Infinity, Polk Audio, and several others make a good 2 ohm speaker.
Most of the speakers you'll find will be 4 ohm but Infinity, Polk Audio, and several others make a good 2 ohm speaker.
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