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From: davet@vaxwaller.UUCP (Dave Triplett)
Newsgroups: net.audio,net.auto
Subject: Re: Inexpensive car stereos
Message-ID: <457@vaxwaller.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-May-86 19:40:18 EDT
Article-I.D.: vaxwalle.457
Posted: Thu May 15 19:40:18 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 18-May-86 13:20:14 EDT
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Organization: Varian, Walnut Creek, CA
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Xref: linus net.audio:7818 net.auto:9525

> 50 Watts in a car?  Wouldn't that be a little loud, especially with
> efficient speakers.  I use a system that on a good day will put out about 5
> Watts, drive a car with a dying muffler, and cruise at 60+ with the windows
> down and have never had (or wanted to ) turn the radio to full volume.
> 
> The Wumpus.


Obviously, if you listen to your radio with a bad muffler 
and open windows, you aren't a very critical listener and
don't expect your stereo to sound much like it might at
home or in quieter conditions in a car.  As your response 
indicates, a common misconception is that lots of power in 
a car stereo is only needed if one wants inordinate volume
levels.  

While it is true that a high powered amplifer can play
loudly, it is also true that such an amplifier will also
play much more clearly at moderate volume levels.  My
own car has 4 way speakers with about 8 watts to each
speaker.  In addition I have a subwoofer system which
adds about 35 watts to each stereo channel in the low
bass.  The result is full sound at moderate volume levels
and lots of bass.  I can play the stereo loundly but
most of the time I don't.  I sure enjoy the better
sound, though.


-- 
	Dave Triplett	 (415) 939-2400 x2087
	Varian Instruments 2700 Mitchell Dr.  Walnut Creek, Ca. 94598
	{zehntel,dual,amd,fortune,resonex,rtech}!varian!davet