First off, let me say that I am a real "Newb", when it comes to Car Stero's and Equipment.
I was just wondering, Is it better to have an Amp more powerfull than your subs, or subs more powerfull than your amp?
For ex. I am looking at getting 2 Rockford Fosgate P2 12" Subs 200 RMS and 400 Peak Each, But the Amp I was looking at (Also Rockford Fosgate) is 250w x2 RMS @ 2 Ohms or 500w x1 RMS at 4 Ohms Bridged -- Should I be looking into a Different Amp, If so, can someone have a look at the Rockford Fosgate Site and tell me the Model No. of the 1 I should be looking at. Thx
Replies (3)
Munchiesyumm on 06/22/2004 14:21:38
I always run my subwoofers with a little more power than they are rated because it avoids the possibility of the amplifier clipping. If you are interested in learning about clipping please read the DIY Articles.
For two Rockford 12" subs 200w RMS you will be most happy with a 500 watt MONOblock amplifier. Monoblock's are much more power efficent and you will get the best out of your subs with less strain on you're cars electrical system.
sorry I don't have time to list any amplifers at this time but if you need some help deciding which is best in your pricerange please let us know!
have a nice day!
Spyder's_Crpyt on 06/22/2004 15:21:14
Thank-You for your help! Jost so I am clear though, a 500w Amp would be just fine, you are just recommending finding a Mono Amp in stead of a 2 Channel. Please let me know if I am correct. And Thx once again.
swez on 06/24/2004 13:12:10
In general, A MONO amp (1 channel) Class D or T is very efficient with power comsumed VS power sent to subs. This amp is only intended for subs. (<300 Hz)
As for features, most Class D/T amps are 2 ohm stable and you will get the most power to your subs if you can wire them at 2 ohms. Depending on the subs you have (or will buy soon) there are several ways to get to the magic 2 ohm load target.
The Rockford Fosgate P2 12" is a 4 ohm, Single Coil, 200 watts RMS per each sub. Here, you can use a Class D/T amp with ~500 RMS power ratings into a 2 ohm load. Plenty of bass power here.
DO NOT USE THAT 2 CHANNEL RF AMP IF YOU USE 2 OF THESE SUBS!!!
Some good choices would be:
1. Kicker KX400.1 $350.00
Mono subwoofer amplifier
Key Features:
200 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
400 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms **** (Good features, well known brand)
2-ohm stable
speaker- and preamp-level inputs
preamp outputs
variable low-pass crossover (50-200 Hz, 12 dB per octave)
variable bass boost with wired remote (0-18 dB at 40 Hz)
switchable subsonic filter (-12 dB at 25 Hz)
three-way protection circuitry
requires 4-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
12-3/4"W x 2-1/2"H x 9-13/16"D
warranty: 1 year
http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC04KX4001
===================================================
2. Polk Audio C500.1 $450.00
350W x 1 Mono Subwoofer Amplifier
Key Features:
350 watts x 1 at 4 ohms
500 watts x 1 at 2 ohms **** (Nice amp in all ways)
stable to 2 ohms
requires 4-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
continuously variable low-pass crossover (30-200 Hz)
adjustable low-pass crossover slope (12 or 24 dB/octave)
15 Hz subsonic filter, 24 dB/octave
bass boost (0-18 dB at 30-160 Hz)
Pre-EQ switch optimizes the crossover and bass level especially for use with Polk/MOMO subwoofers
RCA inputs accept both speaker- and preamp-level input (To use the inputs as speaker-level, you must attach RCA connectors to your speaker wire. See "Recommended Accessories" for RCA connectors.)
preamp outputs
remote subwoofer level control with 19.5-foot cable
6-Way Smart System Protection (SSP) circuitry
11-1/16"W x 2-9/16"H x 9-3/4"D
warranty: 2 years
http://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~Polk+Audio~t~Subwoofer+Mono+Amps
===================================================
3. US Acoustics USB600D $190.00
Subwoofer Mono Amp
This amp is slightly higher output than rated and I consider it a best value buy for low budget systems. Read the reviews!
Subwoofer Mono Amp Specifications:
Amplifier Type: Mono
RMS Power: 250W x 1 @ 4 Ohms
THD at 4-Ohm RMS Power: <0.3%
RMS Power: 375W x 1 @ 2 Ohms ***1/2
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes
Built-In Crossovers: LP
Bass Boost: 0 or 10 dB
Frequency Response: n/a
Signal to Noise Ratio: >80 dB
Fuse Rating: 20 amps
http://www.cardomain.com/item/USAUSB600D
===================================================
4. Rockford Fosgate Power 501bd $330.00
Subwoofer Mono Amp
Subwoofer Mono Amp Specifications:
Amplifier Type: Mono
RMS Power: 300W x 1 @ 4 ohms
THD at 4-Ohm RMS Power: 0.05%
RMS Power: 500W x 1 @ 2 ohms **** (Plenty of power and good features too)
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes
Built-In Crossovers: LP
Bass Boost: 0-18 dB
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio: 100 dB
Fuse Rating: 50 amps
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROC501BD
===================================================
Have a look, feel free to shop for discounts on better quality amps. The cheap stuff will just not deliver what you really want.
Comments?
Swez
I was just wondering, Is it better to have an Amp more powerfull than your subs, or subs more powerfull than your amp?
For ex. I am looking at getting 2 Rockford Fosgate P2 12" Subs 200 RMS and 400 Peak Each, But the Amp I was looking at (Also Rockford Fosgate) is 250w x2 RMS @ 2 Ohms or 500w x1 RMS at 4 Ohms Bridged -- Should I be looking into a Different Amp, If so, can someone have a look at the Rockford Fosgate Site and tell me the Model No. of the 1 I should be looking at. Thx
Replies (3)
Munchiesyumm on 06/22/2004 14:21:38
I always run my subwoofers with a little more power than they are rated because it avoids the possibility of the amplifier clipping. If you are interested in learning about clipping please read the DIY Articles.
For two Rockford 12" subs 200w RMS you will be most happy with a 500 watt MONOblock amplifier. Monoblock's are much more power efficent and you will get the best out of your subs with less strain on you're cars electrical system.
sorry I don't have time to list any amplifers at this time but if you need some help deciding which is best in your pricerange please let us know!
have a nice day!
Spyder's_Crpyt on 06/22/2004 15:21:14
Thank-You for your help! Jost so I am clear though, a 500w Amp would be just fine, you are just recommending finding a Mono Amp in stead of a 2 Channel. Please let me know if I am correct. And Thx once again.
swez on 06/24/2004 13:12:10
In general, A MONO amp (1 channel) Class D or T is very efficient with power comsumed VS power sent to subs. This amp is only intended for subs. (<300 Hz)
As for features, most Class D/T amps are 2 ohm stable and you will get the most power to your subs if you can wire them at 2 ohms. Depending on the subs you have (or will buy soon) there are several ways to get to the magic 2 ohm load target.
The Rockford Fosgate P2 12" is a 4 ohm, Single Coil, 200 watts RMS per each sub. Here, you can use a Class D/T amp with ~500 RMS power ratings into a 2 ohm load. Plenty of bass power here.
DO NOT USE THAT 2 CHANNEL RF AMP IF YOU USE 2 OF THESE SUBS!!!
Some good choices would be:
1. Kicker KX400.1 $350.00
Mono subwoofer amplifier
Key Features:
200 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
400 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms **** (Good features, well known brand)
2-ohm stable
speaker- and preamp-level inputs
preamp outputs
variable low-pass crossover (50-200 Hz, 12 dB per octave)
variable bass boost with wired remote (0-18 dB at 40 Hz)
switchable subsonic filter (-12 dB at 25 Hz)
three-way protection circuitry
requires 4-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
12-3/4"W x 2-1/2"H x 9-13/16"D
warranty: 1 year
http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC04KX4001
===================================================
2. Polk Audio C500.1 $450.00
350W x 1 Mono Subwoofer Amplifier
Key Features:
350 watts x 1 at 4 ohms
500 watts x 1 at 2 ohms **** (Nice amp in all ways)
stable to 2 ohms
requires 4-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
continuously variable low-pass crossover (30-200 Hz)
adjustable low-pass crossover slope (12 or 24 dB/octave)
15 Hz subsonic filter, 24 dB/octave
bass boost (0-18 dB at 30-160 Hz)
Pre-EQ switch optimizes the crossover and bass level especially for use with Polk/MOMO subwoofers
RCA inputs accept both speaker- and preamp-level input (To use the inputs as speaker-level, you must attach RCA connectors to your speaker wire. See "Recommended Accessories" for RCA connectors.)
preamp outputs
remote subwoofer level control with 19.5-foot cable
6-Way Smart System Protection (SSP) circuitry
11-1/16"W x 2-9/16"H x 9-3/4"D
warranty: 2 years
http://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~Polk+Audio~t~Subwoofer+Mono+Amps
===================================================
3. US Acoustics USB600D $190.00
Subwoofer Mono Amp
This amp is slightly higher output than rated and I consider it a best value buy for low budget systems. Read the reviews!
Subwoofer Mono Amp Specifications:
Amplifier Type: Mono
RMS Power: 250W x 1 @ 4 Ohms
THD at 4-Ohm RMS Power: <0.3%
RMS Power: 375W x 1 @ 2 Ohms ***1/2
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes
Built-In Crossovers: LP
Bass Boost: 0 or 10 dB
Frequency Response: n/a
Signal to Noise Ratio: >80 dB
Fuse Rating: 20 amps
http://www.cardomain.com/item/USAUSB600D
===================================================
4. Rockford Fosgate Power 501bd $330.00
Subwoofer Mono Amp
Subwoofer Mono Amp Specifications:
Amplifier Type: Mono
RMS Power: 300W x 1 @ 4 ohms
THD at 4-Ohm RMS Power: 0.05%
RMS Power: 500W x 1 @ 2 ohms **** (Plenty of power and good features too)
Speaker Level Inputs: No
Preamp Outputs: Yes
Built-In Crossovers: LP
Bass Boost: 0-18 dB
Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio: 100 dB
Fuse Rating: 50 amps
http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROC501BD
===================================================
Have a look, feel free to shop for discounts on better quality amps. The cheap stuff will just not deliver what you really want.
Comments?
Swez
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