why is car audio cheap?

Pbassred · 20th February 2005, 09:16 AM

As the only comunity on the web I know who posess a real understanding of physics:-

I walk into any car audio dealership and I find 1000W (RMS)amplifiers priced at under 150GBP. Contrast this with sound reinforcement amps where prices start at twice that.

How can this be? Something fundamental must have been left out.

Variac · 20th February 2005, 09:32 AM

In car audio that would be "the Truth"

Immo_G · 20th February 2005, 10:43 AM

They are cheap because everyone buys based purely on the power figure in standard car amps. Hence, they are made for crazy power. Plus having the SMPS and 4ohm load means its not that hard to get it.

Home amps have a lot less power because people do (or used to) buy on quality/sound/ect. Although i'm seeing a lot of 5.1 amps now advertised with the power figure first, and its going up.

Original Burnedfingers · 20th February 2005, 11:44 AM

Not trying to start a flame war here. Just a few comments based on bench repair a few years back.

About 12-15yrs ago I had the misfortune to work on a number of car amps. I found their power claims to be very mistated to say the least. I can remember an Alpine(largest model they Alpine made at that time) that was repaired and run up on a dummy load. We used a bank of 5 batteries plus a very large battery charger on the start position and never came close to the manufacturers claims for power. This was typical of all amps at that time and I doubt that anything has changed from then.

Its very easy for a manufacturer to claim large output from these amps and very hard for the consumer to prove differently. I have seen first hand what manufacturers will claim to be defective when their power claims are threatened. Faulty wiring, faulty battery, bad alternator and the list goes on.

Its funny how the average consumer believes he/she can purchase a 1000 watt amplifier and run it off a 850 cca battery and a 120 amp alternator. Oh well I guess that is what sells them.

Why is car audio cheap? You get what you pay for. Some are designed very good and you will pay thru the nose for them. The run of the mill units are dirt cheap and they sound like it. Can you compare car audio with home audio? My opinion would be no.

Ducking for cover now.

zuki · 20th February 2005, 12:50 PM

1000 watt amplifier.

with a 5 amp fuse in it.

bawang · 20th February 2005, 01:09 PM

May I add...... 1000W with an output stage that has a 2N3055 and a MJ2955...... a power supply stage that contains a transformer that will make a shirt button look large in comparison... the list goes on and on.

Just my 2 cents....

anatech · 20th February 2005, 04:20 PM

It's just too darn obvious. And there are true believers once the 600W woofer with a 2" VC burns out (paper former).

Is there any more room under there Burnedfingers?? I can hear the "wump wump wump" of the mortars coming. Oh, Gino beats.

-Chris

JensRasmussen · 20th February 2005, 04:26 PM

I have 240W PC speakers that weigh about one pound each.

Watt has become a sales argument with little foundation in reallity.

\Jens

richwalters · 20th February 2005, 04:33 PM

[QUOTE a power supply stage that contains a transformer that will make a shirt button look large in comparison... the list goes on and on.
[QUOTE]
Hi there......youv'e forgotton all that gungho about gold plated wiring and battery connectors and (the list goes on).... amazing since the battery is full of low conductivity lead and yet people still fall for the gold plated stuff. ....... same applies for standard audio equipment why are so many are convinced that gold plated wiring and OFC copper work miracles........a quantum leap into a thinking absolute rubbish ??

rich

jaycee · 20th February 2005, 04:34 PM

I was under the impression that car audio was pretty much all Class D stuff these days. Of course, this doesn't excuse the 5A fuses.

20th February 2005, 09:16 AM	#1
Pbassred diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N London	why is car audio cheap? As the only comunity on the web I know who posess a real understanding of physics:- I walk into any car audio dealership and I find 1000W (RMS)amplifiers priced at under 150GBP. Contrast this with sound reinforcement amps where prices start at twice that. How can this be? Something fundamental must have been left out. __________________ Jeeees! I only asked www.davethebass.com

20th February 2005, 09:32 AM	#2
Variac diyAudio Editor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Francisco, USA	In car audio that would be "the Truth" __________________ Burning Amp Festival Sunday, October 28th, 2012 in S.F. We need Volunteers & sign-up's for what you're bringing!

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20th February 2005, 10:43 AM	#3
Immo_G diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vic, Au	They are cheap because everyone buys based purely on the power figure in standard car amps. Hence, they are made for crazy power. Plus having the SMPS and 4ohm load means its not that hard to get it. Home amps have a lot less power because people do (or used to) buy on quality/sound/ect. Although i'm seeing a lot of 5.1 amps now advertised with the power figure first, and its going up.

20th February 2005, 11:44 AM	#4
Original Burnedfingers diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002	Not trying to start a flame war here. Just a few comments based on bench repair a few years back. About 12-15yrs ago I had the misfortune to work on a number of car amps. I found their power claims to be very mistated to say the least. I can remember an Alpine(largest model they Alpine made at that time) that was repaired and run up on a dummy load. We used a bank of 5 batteries plus a very large battery charger on the start position and never came close to the manufacturers claims for power. This was typical of all amps at that time and I doubt that anything has changed from then. Its very easy for a manufacturer to claim large output from these amps and very hard for the consumer to prove differently. I have seen first hand what manufacturers will claim to be defective when their power claims are threatened. Faulty wiring, faulty battery, bad alternator and the list goes on. Its funny how the average consumer believes he/she can purchase a 1000 watt amplifier and run it off a 850 cca battery and a 120 amp alternator. Oh well I guess that is what sells them. Why is car audio cheap? You get what you pay for. Some are designed very good and you will pay thru the nose for them. The run of the mill units are dirt cheap and they sound like it. Can you compare car audio with home audio? My opinion would be no. Ducking for cover now.

20th February 2005, 12:50 PM	#5
zuki diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: earth	1000 watt amplifier. with a 5 amp fuse in it.

20th February 2005, 01:09 PM	#6
bawang diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Malaysia	May I add...... 1000W with an output stage that has a 2N3055 and a MJ2955...... a power supply stage that contains a transformer that will make a shirt button look large in comparison... the list goes on and on. Just my 2 cents....

20th February 2005, 04:20 PM	#7
anatech diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Georgetown, On	It's just too darn obvious. And there are true believers once the 600W woofer with a 2" VC burns out (paper former). Is there any more room under there Burnedfingers?? I can hear the "wump wump wump" of the mortars coming. Oh, Gino beats. -Chris

20th February 2005, 04:26 PM	#8
JensRasmussen diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Denmark - Jutland	I have 240W PC speakers that weigh about one pound each. Watt has become a sales argument with little foundation in reallity. \Jens

20th February 2005, 04:33 PM	#9
richwalters diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alps:Tube amp designs over 150W, SMPS guru.	[QUOTE a power supply stage that contains a transformer that will make a shirt button look large in comparison... the list goes on and on. [QUOTE] Hi there......youv'e forgotton all that gungho about gold plated wiring and battery connectors and (the list goes on).... amazing since the battery is full of low conductivity lead and yet people still fall for the gold plated stuff. ....... same applies for standard audio equipment why are so many are convinced that gold plated wiring and OFC copper work miracles........a quantum leap into a thinking absolute rubbish ?? rich

20th February 2005, 04:34 PM	#10
jaycee diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, UK	I was under the impression that car audio was pretty much all Class D stuff these days. Of course, this doesn't excuse the 5A fuses.

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