Need help with outdoor speakers and amp

[Deleted member 105166]

The amplifier is grossly underpowered for the load. It is designed to see a 4 ohm load and outputs 40 watts per channel.
As a guide when specifying an amplifier, somewhere in the region of 1.5 to 2.0 x the RMS value of the load is good.
With two speakers attached, I.e. One per channel, it should work provided you don't push it too hard and clip the amplifier. Four speakers isn't going to work for very long, as you have already proved.

 

[Dan]

Any excuse to get a bigger amp and I'd be on it.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Any excuse to get a bigger amp and I'd be on it.

Unfortunately for the OP, in this case there’s little point, since the speakers only play down to 100Hz, therefore the “powerful bass” referred to in the specs is at best, dubious. It’s likely the roll-off starts much higher, therefore at 100Hz will probably be -6dB or even -10dB

 

[Surfnsnowboard]

I can’t get a “normal size” amplifier as it has to fit in the post of an alumawood patio. Attached is a photo of where it has to fit. Does anybody know an amplifier that would fit here?


[automerge]1570923686[/automerge]

The amplifier is grossly underpowered for the load. It is designed to see a 4 ohm load and outputs 40 watts per channel.
As a guide when specifying an amplifier, somewhere in the region of 1.5 to 2.0 x the RMS value of the load is good.
With two speakers attached, I.e. One per channel, it should work provided you don't push it too hard and clip the amplifier. Four speakers isn't going to work for very long, as you have already proved.

are you saying even if I keep it at 50% volume (up to where it cuts out), the amp is going to break or stop working? Or will it work fine at that 50%?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

You should be able to hear when it starts to strain, then back it off a little. It is much easier to destroy a loudspeaker with an underpowered amplifier pushed too hard, than with an amplifier with plenty of headroom.

 

[Surfnsnowboard]

You should be able to hear when it starts to strain, then back it off a little. It is much easier to destroy a loudspeaker with an underpowered amplifier pushed too hard, than with an amplifier with plenty of headroom.

yes I can clearly hear when it starts to strain. I’ll back off from that.
If I understand you correctly, you think my speakers are going to break? I mean, should I even run this system if it’s guaranteed to break? Do I have other options?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

It’s a budget system, so you need to treat it as such. I don’t know why you were sold 4 speakers with it, perhaps return 2 speakers if you can? You should be ok using it sensibly with 2 speakers, for background music application.

 

[Surfnsnowboard]

I bought them on amazon after being told they would work with the amp I also bought on amazon. If I upgrade the amp, would the 4 speakers work with a better amp?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

If you wire them in parallel, 2 x 4 ohm speakers per channel will present a 2 ohm load at the amplifier. Or if you wire them in series, 2 x 4 ohm speakers per channel will present an 8 ohm load at the amplifier. Some professional power amplifiers are good at 2 ohms, however for your application, if you need to run all 4 speakers, you’d be better with an amplifier rated say 150 to 200WRMS at 8 ohms.

 

[Surfnsnowboard]

If you wire them in parallel, 2 x 4 ohm speakers per channel will present a 2 ohm load at the amplifier. Or if you wire them in series, 2 x 4 ohm speakers per channel will present an 8 ohm load at the amplifier. Some professional power amplifiers are good at 2 ohms, however for your application, if you need to run all 4 speakers, you’d be better with an amplifier rated say 150 to 200WRMS at 8 ohms.

do you know of an amplifier that will fit in an alumawood outdoor patio post like in my photo? That’s my issue. I’m willing to buy it. But it has to go somewhere.