Dumb Amp-Speaker power question

[growlgames]

Newbie. A little help...if I have an amp that puts out 30W RMS per channel/speaker and the speakers I am looking at list their power range as 40-100 watts, am I setting myself up for a bad thing here? Will it sound like hell? What would happen?

 

[1sty]

WHat is the amp and what is are the speakers?
I wouldn't worry about it too much. You won't push the speakers to there potential but they won't sound bad until you exceed the amps limits.

 

[growlgames]

WHat is the amp and what is are the speakers?

I have an older Sony XM-3021 amp and am looking at some of the MB Quart component sets. This would actually be for my other car, and I like the Sony because of its small size. There just isn't much room anywhere in a Z3 including the trunk. But its only 30W x 2; I'd like to use it to drive these MB's in the doors and keep the stock HU to drive the rears...

 

[1sty]

I would not buy above the Refernce series speaker. 30x2 is really to low for the premiums or Q's. There are a ton of amps that are really small these days but put out some nice power.

 

[growlgames]

I was looking at the RCE 213 or DSE 213...

 

[1sty]

Those will be ok but could benifit from a larger amp in the future.

 

[growlgames]

Yeah, I agree. It's just that I was hoping to use the same stock location for the amp, and the stock dimensions are 7"x7.75"x2". It is tight. But all I am looking for is cleaner power to the front speakers; my expectations are realistic since the top is down more than not. The stock stereo sucks...almost as bad as the stock P5 system (yupnope)

 

[chuyler1]

MTX Thunder 202: 50 x 2 RMS (14.4v), 8x9.75x2.1, $80
http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX202http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX282
MTX Thunder 282: 70 x 2 RMS (14.4v), 9.4x9.75x2.1, $90
http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX282

The Sony XM-3021 is 8x11.25x4.75 for reference which means they are all larger than stock. The MTX 202 would be slightly better than the Sony and it would be a better fit in the stock location. The MTX 282 would be your ideal upgrade if you could get it to fit. Both are discontinued models so they won't remain in stock at cardomain for very long. You can find them on ebay but it's tough to find them in good condition.

 

[1sty]

Yeah, I agree. It's just that I was hoping to use the same stock location for the amp, and the stock dimensions are 7"x7.75"x2". It is tight. But all I am looking for is cleaner power to the front speakers; my expectations are realistic since the top is down more than not. The stock stereo sucks...almost as bad as the stock P5 system (yupnope)

Is that the maximum dimensions that will fit in that location?

 

[growlgames]

The Sony XM-3021 is 8x11.25x4.75 for reference which means they are all larger than stock. The MTX 202 would be slightly better than the Sony and it would be a better fit in the stock location. The MTX 282 would be your ideal upgrade if you could get it to fit. Both are discontinued models so they won't remain in stock at cardomain for very long. You can find them on ebay but it's tough to find them in good condition.

This amp is getting sent to me, but it sounds like the dimensions I was given were wrong; with a length of 11+ inches, it won't come close to fitting. I haven't seen it in person yet, but it is sounding like I won't have to. Not good.

Guess this will go in the P5.

When I tore apart the trunk and measured the factory 'amp' (it's more like a crossover that BMW calls an amp...it's weak), those were the dimensions. I was hoping to keep it clean and find anything that could use that location and thus look stock, as well as preserve what little trunk space I have.

Maybe I'll post a pic of the spot for fun tomorrow.

 

[growlgames]

Here is pic 1...factory spot is behind the soda can (for size reference)...

 

[growlgames]

And pic 2...factory so-called amp behind carpet next to battery. Re-measured it and it is as stated before.

 

[chuyler1]

That isn't much space and its not a great design for cooling but I think the smaller of the MTXes will definitely fit. The larger one might fit but its hard to tell without using a ruler. Mounting any amp will be difficult. You don't want any metal to touch or noise will be introduced into the system.

 

[1sty]

Cut out a 1/2" board as large as you can to still fit behind that carpet. Remove the amp and bolt in the board, you may need to get creative with the spacers and make a bracket or 2. Then put that carpet back, mount the new amp onto that board that is now behind the carpet. This will give you alot more room and better cooling.

Take the time to wire tie up all the wires and it will look very nice.

 

[growlgames]

ok, in my neverending quest for a small amp, I have found two more options.

First is the Blaupunkt PA2100 amp; class "T" 2 x 100RMS with a small foot print. I have read pretty good things about these on the bmw forums and they have installed them in the factory spot no problem. Anyone have thoughts or experience with these?

Next is an older Nakamichi amp. They made a few that would be the right size, such as the PA-200. These are only rated at 2 x 30RMS, but I've read that they are conservative with their ratings. Plus I cannot find a single bad thing said about them. Any thoughts?

Two big differences in power ratings. All I want is respectable sound quality top up and enough volume to hear music top down...