Hey everybody! I'm new to the sound sytem world, but i'm getting pretty tired of the dull sound coming from the stock system. I was just looking on crutchfield.com for a new headunit and speakers.

The headunit I was looking at is the Alpine 9857/9856 (not sure of the difference yet) which are both rated at 18Wrms per channel. A few component speakers I saw were rated at around 60 Wrms. Does this mean that the HU can only deliver 18 Watts to speakers that can handle 60 Watts, and all that extra power is wasted? Would I need an Amp to supply the speakers with the extra power that they can handle?

Thanks for helping put a newbie on the right track.

 

yes, it means that your speakers can go louder than the headunit
can drive them. if it will drive them loud enough, it doesn't matter,
but in a noisy ragtop I think most people who are going to the
trouble of upgrading their headunit and speakers will feel that 18 watts
isn't enough to properly drive typical components, and thus adding
an amp is a good idea.

 

I will leave this topic open for now, but please please please.....

Read the Electronics FAQ on the top of this page. It will help you tremendously, as everyone worked really hard on it, and it has LOADS of information.

When you are done reading it, post back here with more specific questions...!

 

difference is in the display... IF you use it to browse ipod, the higher resolution display in the 9857 will be useful..if not, no biggie

18w is decent for driving around town. maybe enough for highway. but highway with top down... definitely need more power