40W Speakers with 20W amp?

[KROTannoyFan]

Amplifier is the OEM amplifier in an Insignia (GM) which outputs 20W at 4 ohms. The speakers I'm looking to replace the stock speakers with are 40W 4 ohm Pioneer ones or Rockford Fosgate 45W 4 ohm ones. (All power ratings are RMS)

I'll only change the front two speakers and leave the stock speakers in the rear of the car. I don't think this will cause a problem for the amplifier. I can move the sound to the front or rear so the balance won't be offset.

Will this cause any damage to the OEM amplifier or to the speakers? I know they will sound quieter but will there be any distortion on bass notes and if so, at what volumes?

I've never used speakers with a higher power rating than that of the amplifier they are connected to before, only the other way round. Is the speaker power being more than double the amplifier power stretching it too much?

Thanks for taking the time to read this thread!

 

[jaycee]

No problem at all. The speaker's wattage rating is the max wattage from the amplifier they can handle. As long as the amplifiers output wattage does not exceed the speaker's wattage, everything is fine.

BTW: this probably belongs in the Car Audio section 🙂

 

[KROTannoyFan]

Thanks for your reassuring answer! Sorry I posted this in the wrong section (still new to the site), can I change the section?

 

[planet10]

Power rating of speakers is one of the most useless specifications out there. There is no standard for determining it and in car hifi you can expect reasonable specs to be inflated.

Ignore them.

dave

 

[KROTannoyFan]

Thanks for your reply Dave, I agree that they are useless because they don't tell you anything. Just checking they wouldn't harm the amp, thanks again to everyone!

 

[MAAC0]

Hope You know You can blow speakers easily with underpowered amplifiers clipping....

 

[planet10]

That is true, but more so for tweeters.

dave

 

[Pano]

Moved to Car Audio section

 

[ppia600]

You can, but if the speakers have a lower sensitivity than the oem they may not seem to play as loudly. Many aftermarket speakers are capable of handling more power but can have a lower sensitivity rating than the original lighter and more compliant speakers.