Need advice on amp/sub pair

HypromanGT · 09-29-2009, 10:55 PM

Hi guys,

I was minding my own business today when the fall Crutchfield catalog showed up and an ad on the back cover started loads of trouble in my head. Basically they are getting rid of their previous-model Infinity Reference subs:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1081252...2w.html?tp=111

I'm tempted to buy one of these for 50 bucks to replace my two existing and dated Sony XPlod 12" SVC 4-ohm subs (200/800), wired in parallel. They are still functional and all, but I'm getting tired of the lack of trunk space and the extra weight. I'd run one of them but with the SVC it just isn't quite enough power.

Here's where it gets dicey. I have my old standby Bazooka ELA500.1 amplifier, which is rated at 500Wrms @ 2-ohms, and 350W rms @ 4-ohms:
http://www.audiogearreviews.com/revi...ka_ela5001.asp

I'm not looking for crazy bass, I don't have an aftermarket HU or anything; just replacement door speakers from Infinity, which I am very happy with. My real question/concern is: With the infinity sub only rated at 300W RMS (150 per coil), and being 4-ohm DVC (I was planning on running it in parallel), my amp out-paces it by a bit. If I tune it properly and keep the gain down to realistic levels, will I be okay, or is this just a completely stupid idea? (I know I'm making it easy...)

Obviously I don't want to buy something to ruin it, but in looking around for 400W+ RMS subs I'm not turning up a whole lot without spending a bit more than I would like at the moment.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I might add that I am skeptical about the amp putting out 500W. The review I posted does mention the fact that ratings in the manual, on the side of the amp, and online ar all slightly different. I was under the impression that it was 400W RMS @ 2-ohms when I bought it. I have yet to blow up the pair of subs that I have, and I've been beating on them for quite some time (years).

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Mustang Forums!

beachwad · 09-30-2009, 04:55 PM

my setup: simply 2 12" kicker cvrs in a huge sealed box taking up my whole back seat in my 04 stang, with a 1000 watt autotech street machines monoblock class b amp. sub wise of course. and i get some INTENSELY LOW bass (that's all i like) and i literally blur my vision when leaning back on low tones. you said you dont want anything too big, and mine's definately not too much. in fact, i'd prefer more.

for you though id recomment something with about 800 watts for an amp, and 2 10's for hard hits, 2 12's for deep bass, or 1 15 for some fun bass you wouldn't expect. you can keep that bazooka 500.1 if you dont wanna get a new amp and wanna keep the power down and keep your system moderate.

sub brand recommendation: NO MORE SONY XPLODS.
infinity subs will get you bass for like rock songs.
kickers are recommended
memphis
JL
pioneer
DB
q-power

JayMax03 · 09-30-2009, 07:12 PM

yeah I bet you had to put the backseat back in didn't you? I had to take the whole backseat, spare tire and the rear speaker rack to put my box in the trunk and put it back together

bassfiend · 09-30-2009, 10:35 PM

Looks like somebody missed the idea here lol

Infinitys are pretty good about handling power. I had 2 12"s (older model, also 300 watts) getting 500w each, and they didnt blow in the 6 months that I had them, or the next 3 years my buddy had them. If you're familiar with stereo systems, I'd say you will be ok with that combo. Just make sure you use good judgement (and common sense) when you set it up. Making the box smaller will also mean the sub can handle a little more power, so keep that in mind too. They recommend 1.25 ft^3 for a sealed box, but I'd go with about 1 ft^3 and you should be ok.

edit- maybe somebody else can help here, but if you ran the sub in series to present an 8-ohm load to the amp, the power would be cut down to 150-200 watts. I'm not sure about the amp being stable at 8 ohms though, never tried it before, but IN THEORY, it would work. I'd go with my first suggestion though lol

ttocs · 10-01-2009, 06:28 PM

if I am reading that correctly, you are wanting to replace one sony sub with an infinity in the same box? Not recomended man. Every sub is different in every way from the box volume requirements to the efficiency of the speaker at certain frequencies. By mixing to brands you will cause some cancellation effects and will end up with a PIA to tune........

Either ditch the other sony and run one sub or get another infinity

Amps do not blow speakers, people blow speakers............

HypromanGT · 10-01-2009, 09:49 PM

Thanks to everyone for their input!

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachwad

sub brand recommendation: NO MORE SONY XPLODS.
infinity subs will get you bass for like rock songs.
kickers are recommended
memphis
JL
pioneer
DB
q-power

Yes, I absolutely understand. No more Sony XPlods

Thanks for the brand recommendations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfiend

Infinitys are pretty good about handling power. I had 2 12"s (older model, also 300 watts) getting 500w each, and they didnt blow in the 6 months that I had them, or the next 3 years my buddy had them. If you're familiar with stereo systems, I'd say you will be ok with that combo. Just make sure you use good judgement (and common sense) when you set it up. Making the box smaller will also mean the sub can handle a little more power, so keep that in mind too. They recommend 1.25 ft^3 for a sealed box, but I'd go with about 1 ft^3 and you should be ok.

Thanks, bassfiend, this was the kind of info I was hoping to hear. It seems like if I'm not a complete idiot about it, I should be okay with running the single infinity sub with my existing amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttocs

Either ditch the other sony and run one sub or get another infinity

Ahh, I guess I was a bit unclear. My plan was to remove both sony subs and replace them with a single infinity. I get your point about trying to manage different subs, and yes, I would imagine it would be a nightmare to get right.

I guess at this point I am thinking that for 50 bucks it's probably worth trying out. If I blow it up or don't like it, well it's not like I'm out 200 bucks. If I can save some trunk space and lighten up the load a bit, I think it will be worth it.

Any other ideas/comments are welcome!