Hey...I've been searching for an answer and reading up on power ratings for a while on this one...I just installed pioneer 300w 6.5 3-way speakers (2-35w RMS) in my doors, and will eventually be amping them with my JL audio 320.4 amp (60 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms or 160 watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms bridged). Am I correct in thinking that this amp will way over power the speakers if I hook it up bridged at 160w RMS?

I`m pretty sure this will be too much for these speakers but I can`t find a straight answer....the max power is 300W but I know the RMS rating is more important...I currently have my amp set up with two channel bridged to my subs, and the other two channels powering my rear 6X9s.

also before I get bashed for having a low end setup keep in mind I`m on a budget, and I`m not planning on having the car forever (97`Sunfire GT, not that it`s relevant) so this works for me for now.

That will definitely cook your speakers.

i probably wouldn't run 160 watts to those speakers myself.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography

Yeah that's what I thought...I'm guessing even 80w RMS will be way to much if I only use the two channels? It seems weird that the speakers are only rated at 2-35 RMS and then the max power is 300w...

Cant figure out how to edit...but the only reason I'm asking in the first place is because I've seen a couple different sites that say it's better to have a little more power then your speakers need rather then less

just because you have alot of power doesnt mean you will cook your speaker.....i personally have a jbl gto1004 that does 150wrms x 4 @ 2ohms ....my back speakers are just 60watts rms at 2ohms....been playing them for about 2 years....no problems...just becareful on how you set your gains and listen for distortion, and its all good

It's better to have more power at the amp, yes. But you should turn the amp gain down so that the speakers only get the power they are rated for.

more power is better. but only up to a certain point. some speakers out there can handle more then there rated power. others can't. you can always turn it down if you have to much power. but you can't turn it up if you have to little.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography

thanks for the replies, I'm gonna probably hook up all four speakers to the amp and see how that goes...60W to each shouldnt be pushing them that hard

Again. The amp has a gain know.
If you don't learn how to use it, I predict smoke in your future.

knob*

yeah I'm not planning on cranking the gains at all. I spent a bit of time tweaking them off the headunit power last night and they're actually pretty loud (surprisingly), but I'm really curious to see how they sound off of my amp.