Alpine Amp and Speakers question...

leizodirge · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 05:20 AM

Hi everyone.

I've managed to get all my stuff ready now and I'm about to install my system. I've come across a dilema though. The amp I purchased is the Alpine MRV-F340, it puts out 55watts per channel RMS in 4 channel mode. The speakers I'm going to install are the R series, 176 A comp. in the front and 174 coax. in the back. The 176 A have an RMS rating of 50 watts (200 peak) and the 174 have an RMS rating of 40 watts (160 peak). As you can see, the RMS the amp is putting out is more than the rating on the speakers. I didn't notice this until I got everything together. It took me a while to purchase everything. Is this something I should be concerned about? Is this going to blow my speakers or something like that? Anybody else encounter this problem? I'm contemplating returning the speakers and maybe getting the x-series 'cuz I love that amp. But I would like to just put what I have already in if there's no potential problems, money of course being a factor. These R series weren't cheap and the x-series are even more expensive. I would like to keep everything Alpine. My head unit is an Alpine also. Thanks in advance for anyone's response...

tweeky · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 11:06 AM

its only a problem if you turn it up too loud. You should be able to set your gains so that max power occurs at the speakers limits.
Most speaker mfr's underrate their speakers so you and I don't blow them.
It sounds like a good match to me.

PS: Power handling goes up if you hi-pass the speakers.

Stooge · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2002, 08:46 PM

They'll work just fine. You made a good choice. Don't return anything. You are more likely to blow a speaker using an under-powered amp than a higher powered amp.

leizodirge · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 03:22 AM

Thanks guys. I'm kind of a newbie on this, so sorry if my questions seem kind of dopey. I haven't installed an amp in years, much less a multi-channel. I forgot about the gain setting, I just thought it was like a volume control or something. I decided to go this route 'cuz I really don't plan on installing a sub woofer. If I do decide, this amp is 3-way capable. Anyway, I'm just going to keep what I have. The head unit I have has all sorts of controls also, like a digital crossover, bass focus, time correction and an eq. It's actually a pain to sit there and try to figure it all out. BTW, I didn't know abou the underpower amp blowing a speaker, that's pretty interesting. And what's "hi-pass the speakers mean?" Is that when you make the 4ohm to 2 ohm thing?

nhparrot · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2002, 06:08 AM

High Pass Filter - A network of elements used to attenuate all frequencies below a predetermined frequency. Frequencies above the cutoff point pass without any effect. Basically this filters out Low frequency or bass.

Low Pass Filter - A network of elements used to attenuate all frequencies above a predetermined frequency. Frequencies below the cutoff point pass without any effect. Basically this filters out High frequency.