Radio speakers and wattage?

[fauslyfox110]

Hey guys

I have a 1979 gl1000

Do you guys have any suggestions for the wattage i should look for in speakers i want to install? I've replaced tail-lights, blinkers and instrument lights with leds so i believe i have some spare wattage to play with.

Any recommendations? I want something pretty audible but not too expensive.

[wjnfirearms]

Speaker wattage is based on the audio output of the stereo, not the voltage input to the stereo. Check the specs of your stereo and see what the requirements are.

For example, if the rated output of the head unit is 150 watts, that is the minimum capacity that the speakers should be able to handle.

[Placerville]

Speaker wattage is based on the audio output of the stereo, not the voltage input to the stereo. Check the specs of your stereo and see what the requirements are.

For example, if the rated output of the head unit is 150 watts, that is the minimum capacity that the speakers should be able to handle.

If the output of your stereo/amp. is 150 watts, that (may) mean it's delivering 75 watts to each channel (left and right). So, your speakers should be rated for (at least) 75 watts each to handle that input. A higher rating on your speakers is OK, a lower rating is not.

However, if on the back of your stereo/amp. it states, "150 watts RMS per channel", that means your unit is putting out 150 watts to EACH speaker so, your speakers should be rated for at least that level. Tip: If your stereo/amp's. wattage rating doesn't use the term, "RMS per channel" then it's just the wattage output shown, divided by two, to each channel. Example: "Output - 100 Watts" actually means 50 watts per channel.

All speakers have a 'minimum' and 'maximum' rating. The minimum rating is that which is required by the speaker to fully reproduce the signal it's receiving. The maximum rating is the level of input it can handle before it blows. So, if a speaker is rated at 20W/100W, you'll need at least 20W going into it for it to sound good and no more than 100W or it will be damaged.

[wjnfirearms]

Placerville stated it a bit more detailed than I did, but he is completely correct.

[SteveB123]

However, if on the back of your stereo/amp. it states, "150 watts RMS per channel", that means your unit is putting out 150 watts to EACH speaker

If you listen to sine waves at rated output.
Otherwise, amplifier output varies tremendously with source.

[WingAdmin]

Far more important is the EFFICIENCY of the speaker.

Speaker efficiency is rated in dB. You'll see it something like this:

Efficiency: 90dB 1W/1M

This means that when a 1-watt signal (a sine wave, I believe) is input into the speaker, the sound level, as measured one meter away from the speaker, is 90 dB. Cheaper, lower-efficiency speakers will have 85-90 dB ratings. Very efficient speakers have 100 dB. Keep in mind that the decibel scale is logarithmic, so a speaker that puts out 100 dB at 1W/1M sounds roughly twice as loud as one that puts out 90 dB.

The more efficient the speaker, the louder it sounds with a given amplifier, and the less amplifier power is required.