How do I apply the RMS power rating of speakers to the RMS power rating of amps?

I'd like to get a nice audio system for my truck, but I don't want to have to spend more by making a mistake. I know the RMS power rating is the realistic power rating and that the speakers should be higher rated than the amp. Should the RMS power rating of the speakers exceed the amp or should the max power rating of the speakers exceed the amp?

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Answer:
i think you should go with RMS rating of both your amp and speakers. let's state your speakers has 100W RMS at 4ohms. i'll probably go with an amp that’s 50-75W RMS x 2 channels at 4 ohms. just to be on the safe side.

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Answer:
Actually, you should match the RMS wattage of the AMP (The amount of power the amp will PRODUCE continuosly) to the RMS wattage of the speakers (the amount of power the speakers will HANDLE continuosly). if you can-match both ratings up ,thats great,be on the safe side.

The only real worry with an amp that produces more max power than the speakers will handle at max is that over a long period of time the speakers will blow from a power surge………..MAYBE…….but problably not if the speakers are of any quality.

Most amp manufacturers over-rate their product anyway.

Kind of sounds like to me you think the speakers power the amp or something, maybe im wrong.

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