The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench Radio watts?

Radios are described as being 65, 100 or 200 watts.
Is there much of a difference in reception etc?

Redtruck65MA,

Here is a little history:
In the early days of radio, they designed speakers that were a marvel at the time but they were large , heavy and inefficient. Then, by the time the fifties rolled around, they had small light speakers that didn't take a lot of power to perform their magic. The radios in the AD trucks for example had undistorted power output rating of 2.4 watts and a maximum power output of 5.4 watts. If you have ever listened to one of these radios you know that they can perform at an adequate volume.

As time progressed, there was great interest in faithful reproduction, introducing the concept of "high fidelity". The design focus then turned to the accuracy of the system and little attention was given to efficiency. There were speakers that were developed that wouldn't work properly unless you had an amplifier good for 50 watts.

Nowdays, we are somewhere in between the two extremes. There are auto sound systems that can produce huge power outputs and I would suspect that some of these are used to drive those sub woofers that we hear from time to time.

To answer your question, the power output should be such that it will driver the speakers properly. Personally I can't imagine using over 100 watts but then I don't enjoy loud situations.

The watt power rating has nothing to do with how well the tuner will receive weak stations. This is usually given in the selectivity and sensitivity figures.

truckernix,
Thanks for the very clear description. I dont usually like to be blasted by loud radios but my truck is way too loud for me to hear the radio in comfort or to have a conversation. People tell me they love the sound--they are of course younger than me. I ordered a radio designed for old chevies and will have to check out what speakers would be best.
It is 100watts -- now I wont worry that more watts would be better. Thanks again.

Redtruck,
there seems to be quite a following for huge stereos in cars now, if the show "Overhaulin" is any indication. I am thinking that some day there is going to be a huge demand in the hearing aid field! Myself, I kind of like the the simple life.

Fred

truckernix
Gradually I'll get my truck the way I want it including quieter cab. The canstant ringing in my ears from working very close to loud machinery on construction decades ago says it for me -- no loud pipes on my motorcycle-- or on my truck when I get to changing the ones on there now.

Hey redtruck: When you go to match your speakers to your system, be aware that the wattage rating, i.e. 100, is probably the total output. That means 50 watts going to each side.