Coaxial vs. Component?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 131
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From: Long Island, New York
Coaxial vs. Component? Hey guys/gals, I am trying to learn as much as possible regarding designing and installing a quality stereo system to replace the inept/inferior monsoon system. I will be posting questions for a while now as I read on about this interesting hobby. I am still quite a ways away from ordering and installing. I need to learn more. Forget about getting ripped of at these local audio shops! Besides, this stuff is just as interesting, if not, more than performance modifications! Anyway here's my question:
What is the difference between coaxial speakers and component speakers? And, what does RMS mean?
Thanks for all of your help!
What is the difference between coaxial speakers and component speakers? And, what does RMS mean?
Thanks for all of your help!
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From: Showing Italians the power of LS1
Well, to answer your questions, Usually a Component (sometimes called separate) system is a better quality speaker system. The reason for this is that in a coaxial arrangement, the manufacturer has to cram a high quality tweeter in the space between the furthest outward excursion of the woofer cone, and the inside of the grille of the speaker where there isn't a whole lot of room, and coaxials usually are marketed toward the "lower-end" of the market, for people who just want better sound than the factory OEM speaker, and just want an easy install, and low price. A Component system is usually a better selection for a high quality sound, and high power handling. Since the two components (Tweeter, and Woofer) are separate, there are no size limitations. larger magnets and voice coils can be used (higher power handling) But more importantly, I think the major advantage that components have over coaxials, is that the individual speakers in a component setup are able to be angled precisely to allow for a high quality sound stage.
For your second question, RMS stands for Root Means Squared. All RMS is, is a mesurement of continuous power. Usually speakers will be advertised with two ratings, MAX, and RMS. Don't pay attention to the MAX or "peak" rating. this number is used by the marketing people way too liberally, and is simply the maximum amount the speaker's voice coil can handle, usually for a fraction of a second. This number means nothing. RMS is the maximum amount of power a speaker han handle continuously, all day. A small 6" speaker might have a Max rating of 600 watts, with this plastered all over the box, but will fry it's voice coil handling 600 watts of music, which can be continuous, especially with music containing bass. When it comes to any car audio equipment, you get what you pay for. stick to the major brands. If you are low on $$, buy a used name brand amp off Ebay or something. here is a link I hope will help you:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/electron.htm
Good luck on your future install!!
For your second question, RMS stands for Root Means Squared. All RMS is, is a mesurement of continuous power. Usually speakers will be advertised with two ratings, MAX, and RMS. Don't pay attention to the MAX or "peak" rating. this number is used by the marketing people way too liberally, and is simply the maximum amount the speaker's voice coil can handle, usually for a fraction of a second. This number means nothing. RMS is the maximum amount of power a speaker han handle continuously, all day. A small 6" speaker might have a Max rating of 600 watts, with this plastered all over the box, but will fry it's voice coil handling 600 watts of music, which can be continuous, especially with music containing bass. When it comes to any car audio equipment, you get what you pay for. stick to the major brands. If you are low on $$, buy a used name brand amp off Ebay or something. here is a link I hope will help you:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/electron.htm
Good luck on your future install!!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Originally Posted by Snootch
Well, to answer your questions, Usually a Component (sometimes called separate) system is a better quality speaker system. The reason for this is that in a coaxial arrangement, the manufacturer has to cram a high quality tweeter in the space between the furthest outward excursion of the woofer cone, and the inside of the grille of the speaker where there isn't a whole lot of room, and coaxials usually are marketed toward the "lower-end" of the market, for people who just want better sound than the factory OEM speaker, and just want an easy install, and low price. A Component system is usually a better selection for a high quality sound, and high power handling. Since the two components (Tweeter, and Woofer) are separate, there are no size limitations. larger magnets and voice coils can be used (higher power handling) But more importantly, I think the major advantage that components have over coaxials, is that the individual speakers in a component setup are able to be angled precisely to allow for a high quality sound stage.
For your second question, RMS stands for Root Means Squared. All RMS is, is a mesurement of continuous power. Usually speakers will be advertised with two ratings, MAX, and RMS. Don't pay attention to the MAX or "peak" rating. this number is used by the marketing people way too liberally, and is simply the maximum amount the speaker's voice coil can handle, usually for a fraction of a second. This number means nothing. RMS is the maximum amount of power a speaker han handle continuously, all day. A small 6" speaker might have a Max rating of 600 watts, with this plastered all over the box, but will fry it's voice coil handling 600 watts of music, which can be continuous, especially with music containing bass. When it comes to any car audio equipment, you get what you pay for. stick to the major brands. If you are low on $$, buy a used name brand amp off Ebay or something. here is a link I hope will help you:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/electron.htm
Good luck on your future install!!
For your second question, RMS stands for Root Means Squared. All RMS is, is a mesurement of continuous power. Usually speakers will be advertised with two ratings, MAX, and RMS. Don't pay attention to the MAX or "peak" rating. this number is used by the marketing people way too liberally, and is simply the maximum amount the speaker's voice coil can handle, usually for a fraction of a second. This number means nothing. RMS is the maximum amount of power a speaker han handle continuously, all day. A small 6" speaker might have a Max rating of 600 watts, with this plastered all over the box, but will fry it's voice coil handling 600 watts of music, which can be continuous, especially with music containing bass. When it comes to any car audio equipment, you get what you pay for. stick to the major brands. If you are low on $$, buy a used name brand amp off Ebay or something. here is a link I hope will help you:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/electron.htm
Good luck on your future install!!
Originally Posted by Snootch
Well, to answer your questions, Usually a Component (sometimes called separate) system is a better quality speaker system. The reason for this is that in a coaxial arrangement, the manufacturer has to cram a high quality tweeter in the space between the furthest outward excursion of the woofer cone, and the inside of the grille of the speaker where there isn't a whole lot of room, and coaxials usually are marketed toward the "lower-end" of the market, for people who just want better sound than the factory OEM speaker, and just want an easy install, and low price. A Component system is usually a better selection for a high quality sound, and high power handling. Since the two components (Tweeter, and Woofer) are separate, there are no size limitations. larger magnets and voice coils can be used (higher power handling) But more importantly, I think the major advantage that components have over coaxials, is that the individual speakers in a component setup are able to be angled precisely to allow for a high quality sound stage.
For your second question, RMS stands for Root Means Squared. All RMS is, is a mesurement of continuous power. Usually speakers will be advertised with two ratings, MAX, and RMS. Don't pay attention to the MAX or "peak" rating. this number is used by the marketing people way too liberally, and is simply the maximum amount the speaker's voice coil can handle, usually for a fraction of a second. This number means nothing. RMS is the maximum amount of power a speaker han handle continuously, all day. A small 6" speaker might have a Max rating of 600 watts, with this plastered all over the box, but will fry it's voice coil handling 600 watts of music, which can be continuous, especially with music containing bass. When it comes to any car audio equipment, you get what you pay for. stick to the major brands. If you are low on $$, buy a used name brand amp off Ebay or something. here is a link I hope will help you:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/electron.htm
Good luck on your future install!!
For your second question, RMS stands for Root Means Squared. All RMS is, is a mesurement of continuous power. Usually speakers will be advertised with two ratings, MAX, and RMS. Don't pay attention to the MAX or "peak" rating. this number is used by the marketing people way too liberally, and is simply the maximum amount the speaker's voice coil can handle, usually for a fraction of a second. This number means nothing. RMS is the maximum amount of power a speaker han handle continuously, all day. A small 6" speaker might have a Max rating of 600 watts, with this plastered all over the box, but will fry it's voice coil handling 600 watts of music, which can be continuous, especially with music containing bass. When it comes to any car audio equipment, you get what you pay for. stick to the major brands. If you are low on $$, buy a used name brand amp off Ebay or something. here is a link I hope will help you:
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/electron.htm
Good luck on your future install!!
