Power Ratings (RMS / Program)

[JX2 Productions]

Hey,
Everywhere I go I seem to get a differnt answer on what the true rating of what a speaker can constantly run at. Is it RMS or Program?

Thanks

[djxtreme]

rms
it means root mean square

[JX2 Productions]

so i can really be running them at the program rating?

andy

[JX2 Productions]

??????

andy

[KJDJ]

RMS is an actual measure. It is about 3/4 total peak power handling. Peak is measured with a test signal like a sine wave. The RMS is then calculated from the peak rating

Program uses pink noise as the test signal. Pink noise is more reprsentative of actual music and the way a human ear hears music.

The rule is a full range or subwoofer should be be driven with an amp that is twice the program rating of the speaker.

Speakers blow in 2 ways mechanical and electrical.

Mechanical is from over drive to the point the voice coil jumps the gap or warps from hitting the bottom of it's travel. You will hear the onset of this as the speaker will "slap". The fix is turn down the volume.

Electrical is feeding a clipped (overdriven) amp to the speaker. The voice coil heats up, expands and rubs or burns the fine voice coil windings.

So to complicate things you might ask is how long will the speaker last whem played at the rated power before it burns.

You will find the more reputable speaker manufacturers will state the power rating with the associated test signal and time period. Usually- pink noise for 24 hours.

[JX2 Productions]

Thanks a lot! It really Helped!

Andy