Hello. I sell car audio. No, I am not selling any here. I get this question about 10 times a day. Hello. What do you have in a thousand watt amplifier? I reply," What speakers are you using?". The most common response is." 2 ten inch 1000 watt subwoofers made by Crush (not a real brand)." Whats your budget? " Around a hundred." Here is what I am asking. What is a good response? I have tried to inform them that you need a upgraded charging system and so on. Also tried to explain true power ratings, and so forth. Differences in amp brands China vs U.S. (soon to be China vs China)
. I have been selling car audio for more than 30 years. I have seen equalizer power ratings go from 20 watt per channel to 1000 watts. Usually I lose the sale. I could sell them a class D Kenwood with a thousand watt rating (300 rms). But I don't. 4 irf 540"s in the outputs does not equal 1000 watts, or does it? Rockford labels or use to it's Best Buy amps in Peak power with a small disclaimer. 200 watt is labeled 900 watts. Anyway I've have to go.
What is your best response? Thanks!
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. I have been selling car audio for more than 30 years. I have seen equalizer power ratings go from 20 watt per channel to 1000 watts. Usually I lose the sale. I could sell them a class D Kenwood with a thousand watt rating (300 rms). But I don't. 4 irf 540"s in the outputs does not equal 1000 watts, or does it? Rockford labels or use to it's Best Buy amps in Peak power with a small disclaimer. 200 watt is labeled 900 watts. Anyway I've have to go. What is your best response? Thanks!<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee3/boxcustom/rockfordFosgatetypeRF007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
box,
You're wasted in car audio sales, I'd like to be able to get advice from someone like you. If you want an honest answer, there isn't one. My advice is to answer 'correctly'. You've asked what their speakers are, and their budget - so you have to give 'em a choice. Do they want this amp, (which is rated at 100W, but will drive their speakers to xmax and costs double their budget) or do they want this one (which says it's rated at 1000W but will run out of puff in short order)? Or do they want to do away with those crappy 'Crush' drivers and you can sell them drivers and a matching amp?
If you get queries like this all day, then you need a strategy. But if they're not that often then I'd suggest blowing them off ($100 isn't much if it's once a day, but it's heaps if it's 10 times).
You're wasted in car audio sales, I'd like to be able to get advice from someone like you. If you want an honest answer, there isn't one. My advice is to answer 'correctly'. You've asked what their speakers are, and their budget - so you have to give 'em a choice. Do they want this amp, (which is rated at 100W, but will drive their speakers to xmax and costs double their budget) or do they want this one (which says it's rated at 1000W but will run out of puff in short order)? Or do they want to do away with those crappy 'Crush' drivers and you can sell them drivers and a matching amp?
If you get queries like this all day, then you need a strategy. But if they're not that often then I'd suggest blowing them off ($100 isn't much if it's once a day, but it's heaps if it's 10 times).
It's extremely difficult to sell electronics if you want to be honest and want the customer to understand what they're buying.
I get a lot of people that bring me amps to repair that were given to them. Before I repair it, they want to know if it's going to drive their woofers hard (actually they ask of it's going to pound, slam, beat, bump... take your pick). Then I ask them how they define (insert word of choice from the previous list). They can't answer that question. I then try to explain to them that anyone who answers a question like that is likely trying to mislead them.
I try to help educate them but they know so little that it's almost impossible. It would take weeks. I give them the address to my site but they don't bother to read it. Where I live, most young people are uneducated and seem to prefer to remain that way. They want big/shiny/flashy equipment that will impress their uneducated friends. It's sad.
I get a lot of people that bring me amps to repair that were given to them. Before I repair it, they want to know if it's going to drive their woofers hard (actually they ask of it's going to pound, slam, beat, bump... take your pick). Then I ask them how they define (insert word of choice from the previous list). They can't answer that question. I then try to explain to them that anyone who answers a question like that is likely trying to mislead them.
I try to help educate them but they know so little that it's almost impossible. It would take weeks. I give them the address to my site but they don't bother to read it. Where I live, most young people are uneducated and seem to prefer to remain that way. They want big/shiny/flashy equipment that will impress their uneducated friends. It's sad.
So what does the metric system have to do with any of this????
Manufacturers have a lot to answer for in this situation as most of them lie or at least do their best to disguise the truth.
Retailers are the next on the list as for every one retailer that is honest and tries to inform their customers about the realities of the products available there is probably a dozen or more that will tell them that the $100 1000w amp has to be better than the $500 100w amp cause the $100 unit says it is 1000w.
Lastly it falls down to the fact that the average punter that walks into the nearest retailer to buy a "thumping" or "slamming" system for $100 is barely educated enough to tie there own shoelaces let alone decifer that most of they are being told is total crap!!!
Amplifiers are black boring boxes not bling!!!
Manufacturers have a lot to answer for in this situation as most of them lie or at least do their best to disguise the truth.
Retailers are the next on the list as for every one retailer that is honest and tries to inform their customers about the realities of the products available there is probably a dozen or more that will tell them that the $100 1000w amp has to be better than the $500 100w amp cause the $100 unit says it is 1000w.
Lastly it falls down to the fact that the average punter that walks into the nearest retailer to buy a "thumping" or "slamming" system for $100 is barely educated enough to tie there own shoelaces let alone decifer that most of they are being told is total crap!!!
Amplifiers are black boring boxes not bling!!!
junglejuice said:
I believe it's called humour. As in "Drugs have taught an entire generation of American kids the metric system." - PJ O'Rourke
The honest retailer will still get reasonable sales, as a lot of the people with good money to spend will want an honest opinion. But the others - do the retailers really want the sales and do we care where the "barely educated enough to tie there own shoelaces" people buy their amplifiers from?
I have to explain that our kkr 750.1 will beat the $#!t out of the flea market "3000w" amp with a 30 amp fuse all of the time. Most of the time they act like they are paying attention but a lot of people still come in with a huge flea market amp wanting it to pound their flea market subs.:lol: Sometimes you just have to let them learn for themselves. Hearing is believing.
Cloth Ears said:
That all depends on the customer. The type of customer the OP was talking about don't want to hear, nor do they care, what the truth is. They just want to "pound, slam, beat, bump".
The problem is honesty doesn't sell anymore; at least not here in America. The honest retailer is a broke retailer. People want to be lied to; they want to believe they are getting more than their moneys worth. They want superficial products with superficial sound. I mean do they really need the bass to be 30db louder than the rest of the music? No, but they think it is cool.
I say screw honesty and cater to the customer. Your selling things to make money, so do what you have to do to make money. Lie, cheat, steal; whatever it takes. This is America for god sake; this is how 99% of all successful businesses run in this country.
I suggest a new selling strategy. When they come in and ask what kind of "pound, slam, beat, bump" they can get for $100, show them the most gaudy, shiniest, over-rated piece of garbage you can get your hands on. When they come back to tell you they fried their drivers, act surprised and say "wow, it must have been too much power" and then proceed to show them your new line of Audiobahn subs. Don't forget to emphasize how much these new drivers will ""pound, slam, beat, bump".
God bless America.
wow. this thread is beginning to be entertaining. 
sadly, the replies are indeed true in most cases. most kids nowadays (and the manufacturers are starting to sell) stuff that are more show than go.
when I'm looking for new equipment, I usually think "amount of chrome is indirectly proportional to performance" and "the (physical) size of the wattage label is indirectly proportional to how close it is to the actual rating"
sadly, the replies are indeed true in most cases. most kids nowadays (and the manufacturers are starting to sell) stuff that are more show than go.
when I'm looking for new equipment, I usually think "amount of chrome is indirectly proportional to performance" and "the (physical) size of the wattage label is indirectly proportional to how close it is to the actual rating"
djQUAN said:wow. this thread is beginning to be entertaining.
sadly, the replies are indeed true in most cases. most kids nowadays (and the manufacturers are starting to sell) stuff that are more show than go.
when I'm looking for new equipment, I usually think "amount of chrome is indirectly proportional to performance" and "the (physical) size of the wattage label is indirectly proportional to how close it is to the actual rating"
So what if the amp has no wattage label? Must be a good one then....
I think I will stay with my 15yr old Alpine amps.....
I agree cater to the clients needs no matter how insane or ludicrous. They after all pay the rent in this business. Every once in a while you will get a client thats on the up and up, and some what educated. These can be your reward for dealing with the silly and stupid all day long.
I like Perry end up wasting a bunch on my time trying to be helpful to my clients, but I do it so I don't get rework. I want my clients happy with their restored electronics, and that entails education most of the time.
I pull out a warranty return RMA card from PG and use it as a check list of their intended energy. When I hit a touchy point on the list I stop and explain the term "Abuse" to them, and explain voided warranty conditions.
I explain how a maker will not warranty "Stupid". Most of my clients all want the big boom also.
The funny part is they will spend $700.00 on a woofer, but won't spend $200.00 in a repair of a $800.00 amp they destroyed by trying to save money installing all this High tech on their own. Its like they are EGO misguided with their money...Shame, but it pays my rent...
You have a great site Perry, your site is a great effort on your behalf to actually try and help the masses..
The latest generation still refuses to read instructions and still insist they know what they are doing, even when they don't
PS I run 15 year old PG amps also...and specialize in Old School restorations to Like New condition, Internally at least as most external parts are no longer available, and never will be again
Oh and most of the sales people out here just sell. And sell anything they can all day long. It up to the installer to make it work, and that lasts till the system gets down the road out of sight. Then the buyer starts his playing around with the knobs and buttons
I like Perry end up wasting a bunch on my time trying to be helpful to my clients, but I do it so I don't get rework. I want my clients happy with their restored electronics, and that entails education most of the time.
I pull out a warranty return RMA card from PG and use it as a check list of their intended energy. When I hit a touchy point on the list I stop and explain the term "Abuse" to them, and explain voided warranty conditions.
I explain how a maker will not warranty "Stupid". Most of my clients all want the big boom also.
The funny part is they will spend $700.00 on a woofer, but won't spend $200.00 in a repair of a $800.00 amp they destroyed by trying to save money installing all this High tech on their own. Its like they are EGO misguided with their money...Shame, but it pays my rent...
You have a great site Perry, your site is a great effort on your behalf to actually try and help the masses..
The latest generation still refuses to read instructions and still insist they know what they are doing, even when they don't
PS I run 15 year old PG amps also...and specialize in Old School restorations to Like New condition, Internally at least as most external parts are no longer available, and never will be again
Oh and most of the sales people out here just sell. And sell anything they can all day long. It up to the installer to make it work, and that lasts till the system gets down the road out of sight. Then the buyer starts his playing around with the knobs and buttons
junglejuice said:
well, it only applies to ones with wattage badges.
justonemoreamp said:
Oh and most of the sales people out here just sell. And sell anything they can all day long. It up to the installer to make it work, and that lasts till the system gets down the road out of sight. Then the buyer starts his playing around with the knobs and buttons
10000% true even over here!!!! only a few shops do things properly but they don't do it cheaply. we're lucky that we know the DIY route.
What if you wired up a couple of different "1000 watt" amps to identical subs (or dummy loads if the neighbors complain), along with LED bar graph power meters (Velleman K4307 for example, or something with more resolution and the ability to switch between peak and RMS readings). Do the same with a proper amp. Then you can demonstrate the difference.
I recently looked at the owners manual for a Pyramid power amp that claimed 1000 watts. Actual RMS rating on the specs page is 50 per channel (2 channels) at 4 ohms. Use one of those as your "reference" amp (unless there's something worse), then see if there's anything you can sell them in their budget range that will beat it.
I recently looked at the owners manual for a Pyramid power amp that claimed 1000 watts. Actual RMS rating on the specs page is 50 per channel (2 channels) at 4 ohms. Use one of those as your "reference" amp (unless there's something worse), then see if there's anything you can sell them in their budget range that will beat it.
I find myself on the opposite end of this problem.
I'm a consumer who doesn't believe that everything can be solved by tearing everything you have out and starting over with some flavour-of-the-month-brand gear.
I hate how the pressure sell is to buy all Crash brand as if the 6"s Crash will only sound good with the 6x9" Crash and 12"Crash and Crash amplifier.
In many cases, I have liked only one specific model Crash out of the whole range.
I also disagree that only the top 3 brands can make suitable amplifiers for the purpose at hand.
I don't want to spend thousands on my stereo and that shouldn't be my fault. I'd much rather own that new sample library, midi widget or guitar. That said, I do not expect unrealistic results for the money spent either.
As the industry is so opinionated and brand biased, it would be fantastic to see some kind of standard in which all devices could be measured against on the fly and independently.
If the customer knew what to actually expect from the device then perhaps they could make a more informed decision as to the suitability for their purposes.
Doof doof bling whatever is extremely well catered for by the monosyllabic baseball-cap-at-night wearing crowd here.
I have to resort to using an online forum to get answers.
That sounded like a rant... but valid points I hope.
in answer to your question, I suppose something like:
immediately send them to Australia. We have everything they need.
Disclaimer- this is not the case everywhere but it certainly is in my locality.
I'm a consumer who doesn't believe that everything can be solved by tearing everything you have out and starting over with some flavour-of-the-month-brand gear.
I hate how the pressure sell is to buy all Crash brand as if the 6"s Crash will only sound good with the 6x9" Crash and 12"Crash and Crash amplifier.
In many cases, I have liked only one specific model Crash out of the whole range.
I also disagree that only the top 3 brands can make suitable amplifiers for the purpose at hand.
I don't want to spend thousands on my stereo and that shouldn't be my fault. I'd much rather own that new sample library, midi widget or guitar. That said, I do not expect unrealistic results for the money spent either.
As the industry is so opinionated and brand biased, it would be fantastic to see some kind of standard in which all devices could be measured against on the fly and independently.
If the customer knew what to actually expect from the device then perhaps they could make a more informed decision as to the suitability for their purposes.
Doof doof bling whatever is extremely well catered for by the monosyllabic baseball-cap-at-night wearing crowd here.
I have to resort to using an online forum to get answers.
That sounded like a rant...
but valid points I hope.in answer to your question, I suppose something like:
- "What do you want from your sound system?"
- <sniff>"huh?"<shuffles feet and returns vacant gaze to the ground>
- "Pick a word Loud, Sexy, Suitability"
- <ears prick at the words loud and sexy like a nervous meerkat>"Its gotta look hot man and its gotta pump like fully sick"
immediately send them to Australia. We have everything they need.
Disclaimer- this is not the case everywhere but it certainly is in my locality.
Groover, "I also disagree that only the top 3 brands can make suitable amplifiers for the purpose at hand.
I don't want to spend thousands on my stereo and that shouldn't be my fault. I'd much rather own that new sample library, midi widget or guitar. That said, I do not expect unrealistic results for the money spent either."
If you went into your local Holden dealer and you were offered a new commodore with a 300kw v8 engine for a really good price and took it home popped the bonnet and found the standard v6 would you be impressed?
The cheap chinese amps are the v6 dressed as the v8, they don't do what they advertise where the dearer brands generally do.
You get what you pay for......
I don't want to spend thousands on my stereo and that shouldn't be my fault. I'd much rather own that new sample library, midi widget or guitar. That said, I do not expect unrealistic results for the money spent either."
If you went into your local Holden dealer and you were offered a new commodore with a 300kw v8 engine for a really good price and took it home popped the bonnet and found the standard v6 would you be impressed?
The cheap chinese amps are the v6 dressed as the v8, they don't do what they advertise where the dearer brands generally do.
You get what you pay for......
Hi
It still depends on buyer. The one's that don't know what they want, just say loud or something, then seller should show them something that is a bit over their budget say 10-20%, but one can soon see if buyer knows what he is talking about, then offer only the best, but probably in that case buyer will know what amp does he want...
It still depends on buyer. The one's that don't know what they want, just say loud or something, then seller should show them something that is a bit over their budget say 10-20%, but one can soon see if buyer knows what he is talking about, then offer only the best, but probably in that case buyer will know what amp does he want...
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