powering 15w pa speaker

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Car Audio / powering 15w pa speaker (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

< Prev Topic Next Topic >

RTAdams89

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: May 14, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: March 12, 2007 at 3:51 PM / IP Logged

I have a CB radio in my car that has a PA function (talk into the mike and it comes out a speaker on the outside of the car). The CB radio says to connect a 5watt 8Ohm speaker. I would like one louder than that so I have attached a 15watt 8Ohm speaker. It works, but obviously is not any louder. My questions is: what sort of small amp can I use to make the speaker louder? I assume I just need something that will step up the 5watts from the CB radio to the 15watts the speaker can handle. Is that correct? Any specific recommendations?

haemphyst

Platinum - Posts: 5,054

This member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.

This member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.

Joined: January 19, 2003

Location: Michigan, Bouvet Island

Posted: March 12, 2007 at 4:13 PM / IP Logged

Any amplifer, with a 12v power supply, a high-level input, and around 15w output will fit the bill. Start looking on eBay, I'm thinking that'll be your best bet.

It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

RTAdams89

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: May 14, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: March 12, 2007 at 8:41 PM / IP Logged

eBay was the first place I looked. They only 15 watt amps there though are big guitar amps. The closest thing I've found is the 17.5 watt amp seen here http://www.oselectronics.com/ose_p29.htm, but I'm afraid that will damage the speaker.

RTAdams89

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: May 14, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: March 12, 2007 at 8:53 PM / IP Logged

What do you guys think of somethign like this: http://www.cybergiftcenter.com/applications/search/itemdetails.asp?oid=21&sku=C437-5066&mpn=5066

stevdart

Platinum - Posts: 5,816

This member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: January 24, 2004

Location: Pennsylvania, United States

Posted: March 12, 2007 at 10:20 PM / IP Logged

That 17 watt mono amp won't damage anything, and should do the job just fine. Nice site there, BTW. I'm going to save that link for future reference.

Or if you want to find something with a more finished appearance, look for a used car audio amp rated at 30 to 40 watts per channel at 4 ohms. With your 8 ohm speaker (on one channel), the rated output would be cut in half because the load is 8 ohms instead of 4.

A 15 watt speaker is not very much different than a 5 watt speaker. Use any old mid driver out of a discarded home speaker. They are lying around in attics and basements everywhere.

Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

RTAdams89

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: May 14, 2005

Location: United States

Posted: March 12, 2007 at 11:18 PM / IP Logged

Thanks to the response. Though I am a long time tinkerer, I am new to this whole speaker thing so please bear with me. I just want to confirm a few things: The speaker I have says 15watts max power and 8 watts nominal power.

If I get the 17 watt amp mentioned earlier, I won't damage the speaker and will increase the volume a noticeable amount. Is that correct?

My only other concern is the power going into the amp. Will the CB's power output (5watts) damage the amplifier?

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

powering 15w pa speaker

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.This topic is closed.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.