wet sounds amp ratings: accurate or conservative?

[gride]

i just started to wonder if the wet sounds amps, specifically the syn series, are rated properly or conservatively? as we all know their speakers tend to love more power than stated(i fully understand why it's stated this way for the speakers & i know they perform great with the recommended rms). thanks for the responses.

[EarmarkMarine]

The Wetsounds Syn series are not identical to but share a common platform with Arc Audio KS series of amplifiers. Both use internal heatsinks (note the external shrouds) and fan-cooling. However, the Wetsounds is conformal coated. In contrast, the Arc Audio is constantly pouring moist air (in the marine environment) over a raw circuit board. Eventually there can be a corrosion build up that can lead to a reduction in sound quality and restrict cooling. So I would never substitute an Arc Audio amplifier for a Wetsounds in a boat. Wetsounds is engineered for marine. Arc Audio is not. Oftentimes automotive amplifiers are used in a marine application. The distinction is they have external heatsinks so the chassis is sealed or close to sealed. There is a reason for this comparison. So....
Moving on, there are similarities in power with several models between these two brands/series. And in every case, when an Arc Audio KS amplifier was tested by an independent reviewer (PasMag for example) the amplifiers met or exceeded their power ratings. They often meet or exceed spec even with a lower 13.5 volt supply versus the rated 14.4 volt supply. You can bank on the fact that every Wetsounds Syn amplifier will do the same.
We mistakenly assume that all amplifiers meet spec and this is far from the truth. There is no governing body to enforce that actual power specs are anywhere close to the published rating. We have 200 amps of power supply, two group 31 AGMs as reserve and a resistor bank of several thousand watts for testing purposes. And we do commonly test amplifiers. Many do NOT meet spec. Wetsounds always do make power or better.
A manufacturer like Wetsounds has to rate the thermal power handling of their speakers on the conservative side. That is the case with Wetsounds. They do well with a little excess. But also, Wetsounds has no control over what is going on in the field. For example, someone may tune their system with a resting voltage of 12.5 volts. Then when underway they are producing 13.5 volts which may develop another 10% power. One manufacturer never knows what brand or product their product is being combined with. The better manufacturers with a reputation at stake tend to rate everything conservatively.

David

[gride]

thanks for the info. and for the record i tune my boat w/o the engine running.

[Rossterman]

Ive been running arc audio in my boat for 8 years with zero problems and plenty of folks use non marine amps with very good success!