audio set-up for beginners [continued]

[jhnkvn]

(!)
1. Do NOT base a speaker's RMS power as it's required power
2. Do NOT correlate higher RMS into better speakers nor do higher RMS need "more power"

A speaker's RMS and peak power ratings are just quantitative measurements on how much power can the speaker handle during transients and during sustained playing. And.. that's all. If you have 500W of power on tap then you turn up the volume on a 300W peak wattage speaker, then expect a blown voice coil.

Whether you need an amplifier or not will depend on your listening levels. That's all.

An amplifier won't miraculously make your system sing. In fact, if you stay under the head unit's 18W output, you'll be guessing most of the time if you claim to hear a difference between a head unit powered and an amplified system. If you simply do background listening on a speaker, you won't need an amplifier. If you plan on listening to a louder decibel level, then it's time to throw one in.