PATRICK94SE

Just wondering what is up with Amp companies rating at 14.4 volts?

max'n out

What are you wondering?????

PATRICK94SE

I now more than average about cars but don't know this, Why/How would the amp recieve 14.4 volts in a normal situation? I thought cars were on a 12 volt system. So my real question is would an amp in my car get 14.4 volts going to it?

max'n out

It's possible, at rest with the engine off my battery puts out about 12.7 volts, on the highway it can range from 13.7 to 14.3 according to the digital gauge measuring voltage off the battery. The reason they list both is do to this reason.

PATRICK94SE

Thanks, I assumed it was a marketing tactic to make it seem as though an amp would put out more power than it actualy would in a normal
set-up.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

reason being is that for a 12V system (your car's battery is the only thing that's 12V)... you have to have a HIGHER voltage output from the alternator in order to charge the battery. thus, when a car is running, they run from about 13.6 to 14.8 volts. 14.4 is the "standard" voltage for an alternator. some are a bit more, some are a bit less.. but ALL are over 13.5V. the battery just won't charge otherwise.


as for why companies spec their amps at different voltages (soundstream rates theirs at 12 and 14.4V).. Is due to industry standards and the amplifier itself..

there's no real set method of listing power output, except that they should list the system voltage, outputs power, frequency response, and THD at that output level.

there is no real standard to define what voltage or distortion they should run the amps up to though. some companies run the amps at 12V and very low distortion, and have lower numbers than what they put out in real world conditions.
Other companies drive them to huge amounts of distortion (clipping) and give them tons of drive voltage, so that they look like they put out a bunch of power.


Then there's the issue with regulated and unregulated power supplies inside the amps..

an amp with an unregulated power supply will put out more power if you give it more voltage. (i.e. one particular soundstream amp put out 50x4 at 12V. It put out 75x4 at 14.4V).
Amps with highly regulated power supplies won't change their output if you change the input voltage. PPI rates the output on their amps from 9 to 15V...

sportscarboy715

14.4 volts means the higher it is the less distortion you will hear, liek the gnine will make a Buzz or squealing sound if you have an amp that is less than 10 volts. a 14.4 volt amp is probably good but higher is better, the higher u go you may need to get a beter alternator and maybe a 6 volt car battery as an auxillary to help pump out the power

jmax

Dude, if you don't know the answer, quit responding. If you have questions go ahead and ask. We are willing to answer.

And the 14.4 volt numbers are a marketing tactic. The unfortunate side of american capitalism.

soundmike

iTrader: (24)

For the same reason some people sell home audio (all-in-one) systems and computer speakers rated at PMPO instead of RMS. It's a marketing tactic that unfortunately always fools the consumer at one point or another.

Alpine V12's and JBL Pro's (as well as several others) are rated at 12volts. US Acoustics are rated at 11 if i remember correctly, so you actually get more power out of these systems once the engine is running.

sportscarboy715

Your Car is Awesome, my fav year is '94 GXE- 5speed.....

amax935

ZIPPIN

iTrader: (32)