Although RMS stands for "Root Mean Square," it could basically be translated to "continuous power output." This means that an amplifier rated at 100W RMS into 4 ohms can contiuously produce 100 watts of output into a 4 ohm speaker (most car speakers are 4ohms).

Most car amplifiers will give you two different power output ratings "RMS" power and "peak" power. For example, a head unit might have its power ratings listed as 20watts RMS/50watts peak. The peak power rating is less important and is usually listed in order to make an amplifier seem more powerful.

Similarly, SPEAKER power handling is usually listed in the same way, with a RMS and peak power handling given. Again, the RMS power hadling is more useful for matching a speaker with an amplifier. So, the Audiobahn sub that I mentioned will handle 800 watts RMS, but any amp above 300 watts RMS will power it very well.

The aluminum cone in the Audiobahn subwoofers allows very high power handling because the cone itself acts as a heat-sink (too much heat is a speaker's worst enemy). This does not mean that 800watts is required for the speaker to sound good.

More power is always better, even if you do not intend to listen at very high levels. However, there is also the idea that "enough is enough," and in my opinion you certainly shouldn't need any more than 500watts RMS for a single 10" or 12" subwoofer.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

-Kyle

posted by 24.60.14...

• Need a new stero setup, what to get? PART 2, Brian, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 10:52:49
  • D/A converter resonably explained -, Kyle, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 22:33:33
    • Re: D/A converter resonably explained -, Jan Geert, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 04:06:57
      • Jan is correct, Bill Cannastra, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 16:13:55
        • Rrroarrr! High-end technical jargon confuse Kyle! >>>, Kyle, Wed, 16 Oct 2002 04:31:21
          • I think Kyle's becoming the Hulk, Bill Cannastra, Wed, 16 Oct 2002 17:10:46
  • RMS power resonably explained -, Kyle, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 21:08:39 <-- Viewing This Message
  • How I achieved bass up front (long) >>>, Kyle, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 19:31:07
  • Re: Need a new stero setup, what to get? PART 2, TJ, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 17:23:22
    • TJ, sounds like..., Aerogant, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 11:30:23
      • Re: TJ, sounds like..., TJ, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 13:54:23
        • Re: TJ, sounds like..., Aerogant, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 14:40:46
          • Re: TJ, sounds like..., TJ, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 15:09:41
            • Re: TJ, sounds like..., Aerogant, Tue, 15 Oct 2002 21:03:04
  • Re: Need a new stero setup.., Andrew, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 13:42:30
    • I had those capasitors in my 87 when I bought it->, roman, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 17:22:10
  • How ambitious are you?, Aaron Gilbert, Mon, 14 Oct 2002 12:06:07

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