It will only clip if you turn it up too loud, but I can certainly turn the volume level up higher with the Focals than I could with the factory speakers.
Basically I've more bass, a lot clearer sound (particularly mid range and treble) and it is louder. A decent result for only a speaker change.
G'day mate....(sorry, couldn't resist lol)....
OK, in your scenario you have both upgraded in terms of quality & cone area....
The increase in cone area alone will yield higher output, this is due to greater air movement....
The increase in both component quality & build quality will allow these units to run 'clean' or 'undistorted' further into 'clip' than the stock items....The output signal is still 'clipping', its just the Focals are better at handling it....
Stiffer cone material, stiffer or rather heavier cone suspension, tighter build tolerances are all aimed at reducing distortion at higher input power, but these factors also mask or hide 'clipping'....Just because you can't hear it, doesn't mean its not happening....
Its true the stock speakers may be distorting due to poor build quality rather than 'clip', but this wouldn't explain the increase in output quality & volume when switching to a higher quality, higher powered after market head unit....
You should remember the only way to toast a speaker is by too much power, the easiest route to too much power is 'clipping'....The extended periods spent at full power will rapidly cause excess heat within the voice coil, this heat, in turn, will cause the coil to deform, as the coil deforms it is more likely to short out....Deformed coil equates to scraping when cone is gently pressed inward, (can be felt & heard), shorted out coil equates to dead speaker or in worst case a seized solid cone....
