Base audio output

[Gary7]

I have a 2012 3.8 with the base audio. Anyone know the output of the base 7-speaker system?

 

[Mark_888]

I have a 2012 3.8 with the base audio. Anyone know the output of the base 7-speaker system?

You want the total wattage of the power amps that service all the speakers? That information, although widely advertised, is useless, as it has no direct bearing on the decibels that the speakers are capable of handling. If you were to get anywhere close to the maximum output, your speakers would become distorted, maybe permanently.

 

[Gary7]

You want the total wattage of the power amps that service all the speakers? That information, although widely advertised, is useless, as it has no direct bearing on the decibels that the speakers are capable of handling. If you were to get anywhere close to the maximum output, your speakers would become distorted, maybe permanently.

The Lexicon system in these cars is advertised as 528 watts. I'm just wondering what the equivalent "advertisement" for the base audio would be.

 

[Mark_888]

The Lexicon system in these cars is advertised as 528 watts. I'm just wondering what the equivalent "advertisement" for the base audio would be.

The wattage is the sum of the maximum amplifier output measured in watts for a given impedance level (measured in ohms) assumed for the speakers. An amplifier may deliver 200 watts at 4 ohm speaker load, but only 100 watts at 8 ohm speaker load. Since the Base Trim system has only 3 channels (stereo + subwoofer) it only needs three separate amplifier channels. The Lexicon systems have at least 8 channels for surround sound (aka as 7.1 surround) so the sum of all those channels requires a lot more amplifier power. Each channel acts as its own amplifier circuit.

However, the number of watts of the amplifier has nothing to do with the quality of sound. Whether it has anything to do with the decibel sound pressure levels that can be achieved depends on many other factors such as the number and efficiency of the speakers. One speaker may be able to achieve 95 decibels with 1 watt, and another speaker may require 10 watts to achieve the same decibel level.

If you can play the sound system in the Base Trim Genesis to a sound pressure level (decibels) that is sufficient for you, then the system has enough watts of amplifier output. However, if you have to turn the volume too far toward its maximum to achieve the volume you desire, then the peak levels in the music may be clipping the amplifier (reaching maximum amplifier output) and the sound may be distorted (which could in some cases damage the speakers).

 

[Gary7]

The wattage is the sum of the maximum amplifier output measured in watts for a given impedance level (measured in ohms) assumed for the speakers. An amplifier may deliver 200 watts at 4 ohm speaker load, but only 100 watts at 8 ohm speaker load. Since the Base Trim system has only 3 channels (stereo + subwoofer) it only needs three separate amplifier channels. The Lexicon systems have at least 8 channels for surround sound (aka as 7.1 surround) so the sum of all those channels requires a lot more amplifier power. Each channel acts as its own amplifier circuit.

However, the number of watts of the amplifier has nothing to do with the quality of sound. Whether it has anything to do with the decibel sound pressure levels that can be achieved depends on many other factors such as the number and efficiency of the speakers. One speaker may be able to achieve 95 decibels with 1 watt, and another speaker may require 10 watts to achieve the same decibel level.

If you can play the sound system in the Base Trim Genesis to a sound pressure level (decibels) that is sufficient for you, then the system has enough watts of amplifier output. However, if you have to turn the volume too far toward its maximum to achieve the volume you desire, then the peak levels in the music may be clipping the amplifier (reaching maximum amplifier output) and the sound may be distorted (which could in some cases damage the speakers).

Thank you for not answering my question.

 

[Mark_888]

Thank you for not answering my question.

If I knew how many watts it had, I would tell you. But I gave you a much better answer, for which you should have been grateful. But now you know why car manufacturers only report meaningless numbers like wattage, as it is because most buyers are too stupid to understand what really matters.

 

[Gary7]

If I knew how many watts it had, I would tell you. But I gave you a much better answer, for which you should have been grateful. But now you know why car manufacturers only report meaningless numbers like wattage, as it is because most buyers are too stupid to understand what really matters.

Yes, that's me: Just another stupid Genesis owner.