Question on subwoofers
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 48
From: eric
RE: Question on subwoofers
"Bridging" is combining two channels of a stereo amp, or all four of a four-channel amp, effectively adding the power of each channel together. So a stereo amp rated at 50 wpc, bridged, would be 100 watts for one channel.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 29
RE: Question on subwoofers
I was told my speakers can handle 600 watts RMS with clear defination and wont blow. Why does an amp for one sub make it hit harder then one amp for two subs? Should I get a 600 or 800 watt rms amp then?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 207
From:
RE: Question on subwoofers
I notice absolutely no difference in SQ with 1-4 ohm, and I think it's a load of bull****.
Audiobahn subs (all do, but audiobahn are notorious) need to be broken in first as-well, so don't put it at the 550 watts RMS first thing, you do that-you will blow it.
Start it out at about 425 rms, give it a good 8 hours listening time, push it up.. etc. If properly done, you can exceed the RMS rating on the sub. Though Audiobahn is known for over rating their subs at the same time. I had a Kicker Solo-Baric 12" L7 running at 1000 watts RMS off a pg amp.
distortion blows subs, not striaght power. for example, I wanted to test that theory ;x so after pushing 1000 watts rms from the pg amp, i put it on my dsp1600 xplod amp (900 watts @ 2ohm) and ran that bitch with high bass boost and after 5 minutes of ludacris I managed to seize the sub in place, melt the voice coils... smoking out the slot woo woo. I had over the counter exchange so I didn't care. LOL
Audiobahn subs (all do, but audiobahn are notorious) need to be broken in first as-well, so don't put it at the 550 watts RMS first thing, you do that-you will blow it.
Start it out at about 425 rms, give it a good 8 hours listening time, push it up.. etc. If properly done, you can exceed the RMS rating on the sub. Though Audiobahn is known for over rating their subs at the same time. I had a Kicker Solo-Baric 12" L7 running at 1000 watts RMS off a pg amp.
distortion blows subs, not striaght power. for example, I wanted to test that theory ;x so after pushing 1000 watts rms from the pg amp, i put it on my dsp1600 xplod amp (900 watts @ 2ohm) and ran that bitch with high bass boost and after 5 minutes of ludacris I managed to seize the sub in place, melt the voice coils... smoking out the slot woo woo. I had over the counter exchange so I didn't care. LOL
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 259
From: Yonkers, NY Westchester County
RE: Question on subwoofers
i was running 1 amp to each sub in my cavy...i had 2 alpine mrd m301 mono amps powering 2 10"alpine type r subs....effin sweet...nice a crisp bass...not all distoted sounding and such
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1
RE: Question on subwoofers
The amount of misinformation here is simply amazing.
"there is a cost in terms of sound quality and the posibility of frying your amp."
BS
"4OHM subwoofers give excellent tight response and will give you better defined bass. 2 or 1ohm setups, though they allow higher power output with the same equipment, will have very muddy bass. If all you care about is boomy bass with no definition and the amp can handle it, then 2ohm is good."
NOOB
"You'll get the best sound if you run a seperate amp to each sub,"
Your an idiot.
"The lower the ohm the harder the subs will hit,"
Absolutely clueless.
Go to caraudio.com for real help, nobody around here has a clue.
"there is a cost in terms of sound quality and the posibility of frying your amp."
BS
"4OHM subwoofers give excellent tight response and will give you better defined bass. 2 or 1ohm setups, though they allow higher power output with the same equipment, will have very muddy bass. If all you care about is boomy bass with no definition and the amp can handle it, then 2ohm is good."
NOOB
"You'll get the best sound if you run a seperate amp to each sub,"
Your an idiot.
"The lower the ohm the harder the subs will hit,"
Absolutely clueless.
Go to caraudio.com for real help, nobody around here has a clue.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1
RE: Question on subwoofers
^ x2
please disreguard ALL information previously posted in this thread as nearly all of it is incorrect.
I am also a member of caraudio.com - come there and we will answer your questions
if you dont want to sign up there then at least listen to this
Ohms have absolutely no bearing on sound quality - no difference between 1, 2, 4, 8 ohm in quality - it's just not possible.
they are at a set configuration of resistance that the manufacturer decides, a subwoofer can NOT change ohms
a dual voice coil subwoofer has 2 coils, each with the same ohm load. This allows you more flexibility - you can run them either paralell (positive wires run together to amp's positive & negative wires run together to the amp's negative) or in series Positive from one coil connected to negative on the other coil, then the remaining positive and negative are run to the amp thus making the amp see one speaker.
----The above series and paralell definitions can be applied to either a dual voice coil subwoofer, or multiple single-coil woofers.
you should match a subwoofer's rms wattage to an amplifier's rms wattage make SURE your amp is rated at the correct ohm load for your woofers: if you have a woofer with a single 4 ohm coil, get an amplifier that puts out it's power at 4 ohms
if you have a 2 ohm woofer, make sure your amp is 2 ohm stable - if it is not it will likely shut the amplifier down into protection mode. If the amplifier is cheap, theres a good possibility you'll break it.
please disreguard ALL information previously posted in this thread as nearly all of it is incorrect.
I am also a member of caraudio.com - come there and we will answer your questions
if you dont want to sign up there then at least listen to this
Ohms have absolutely no bearing on sound quality - no difference between 1, 2, 4, 8 ohm in quality - it's just not possible.
they are at a set configuration of resistance that the manufacturer decides, a subwoofer can NOT change ohms
a dual voice coil subwoofer has 2 coils, each with the same ohm load. This allows you more flexibility - you can run them either paralell (positive wires run together to amp's positive & negative wires run together to the amp's negative) or in series Positive from one coil connected to negative on the other coil, then the remaining positive and negative are run to the amp thus making the amp see one speaker.
----The above series and paralell definitions can be applied to either a dual voice coil subwoofer, or multiple single-coil woofers.
you should match a subwoofer's rms wattage to an amplifier's rms wattage make SURE your amp is rated at the correct ohm load for your woofers: if you have a woofer with a single 4 ohm coil, get an amplifier that puts out it's power at 4 ohms
if you have a 2 ohm woofer, make sure your amp is 2 ohm stable - if it is not it will likely shut the amplifier down into protection mode. If the amplifier is cheap, theres a good possibility you'll break it.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 275
From:
RE: Question on subwoofers
I agree with the 2 above, for the most part. There was so much misinformation in this thread, that you wouldn't know what was right unless you actually know about car audio and install, or are MECP certified at least. Ohms can effect the sound quality, but it depends on the sub and the amp. Most amps play with higher THD (total harmonic distortion) at a lower ohm load, but will give more power. Now, the THD% on most higher quality amps are not audible, so in a lot of cases, you won't hear a difference in SQ from 1-8 ohms. Yes, you can run one amp to each of your subs, but if you have 2 single voice coil 4 ohm subs, you should not run a mono amp to each of your subs. Most mono amps are designed to run at their highest RMS at 2 ohms. Since you can't bridge a mono amp, you'll be playing at 4 ohms with each of your subs. If you can one larger mono amp with your 2 subs in parallel, you would end up at a 2 ohm load. So, as a for instance, a Fosgate bd1000 amp is designed to run at 500watts RMS at 4 ohms, and 1000 watts RMS at 2ohms, at 14.4 volts. So, if you ran one sub to each mono amp at 4 ohms, you'll get 500 watts RMS each. If you ran the same amp with both subs in parallel, at a 2 ohm load, you'll get 1000watts RMS total, being 500 watts RMS each. You come out to the same result, but the amp is working harder and is less efficient and will more likely get warm and sometimes shut off. With the sake of saving money, get one larger, good quality mono amp. Don't go cheap with an $84 amp that claims 1000 watts. That's a peak power rating that happened one time in a test lab in BFE when lightning struck and will never hit that peak again. That amp's RMS is probably less that half of that, and efficiencey % at like 50%, which is horrible. You have good subs, don't run sh*tty power.
Gentleman's Relish
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,189
From: AZ
RE: Question on subwoofers
ORIGINAL: bd5034
^ x2
please disreguard ALL information previously posted in this thread as nearly all of it is incorrect.
I am also a member of caraudio.com - come there and we will answer your questions
if you dont want to sign up there then at least listen to this
Ohms have absolutely no bearing on sound quality - no difference between 1, 2, 4, 8 ohm in quality - it's just not possible.
they are at a set configuration of resistance that the manufacturer decides, a subwoofer can NOT change ohms
a dual voice coil subwoofer has 2 coils, each with the same ohm load. This allows you more flexibility - you can run them either paralell (positive wires run together to amp's positive & negative wires run together to the amp's negative) or in series Positive from one coil connected to negative on the other coil, then the remaining positive and negative are run to the amp thus making the amp see one speaker.
----The above series and paralell definitions can be applied to either a dual voice coil subwoofer, or multiple single-coil woofers.
you should match a subwoofer's rms wattage to an amplifier's rms wattage make SURE your amp is rated at the correct ohm load for your woofers: if you have a woofer with a single 4 ohm coil, get an amplifier that puts out it's power at 4 ohms
if you have a 2 ohm woofer, make sure your amp is 2 ohm stable - if it is not it will likely shut the amplifier down into protection mode. If the amplifier is cheap, theres a good possibility you'll break it.
^ x2
please disreguard ALL information previously posted in this thread as nearly all of it is incorrect.
I am also a member of caraudio.com - come there and we will answer your questions
if you dont want to sign up there then at least listen to this
Ohms have absolutely no bearing on sound quality - no difference between 1, 2, 4, 8 ohm in quality - it's just not possible.
they are at a set configuration of resistance that the manufacturer decides, a subwoofer can NOT change ohms
a dual voice coil subwoofer has 2 coils, each with the same ohm load. This allows you more flexibility - you can run them either paralell (positive wires run together to amp's positive & negative wires run together to the amp's negative) or in series Positive from one coil connected to negative on the other coil, then the remaining positive and negative are run to the amp thus making the amp see one speaker.
----The above series and paralell definitions can be applied to either a dual voice coil subwoofer, or multiple single-coil woofers.
you should match a subwoofer's rms wattage to an amplifier's rms wattage make SURE your amp is rated at the correct ohm load for your woofers: if you have a woofer with a single 4 ohm coil, get an amplifier that puts out it's power at 4 ohms
if you have a 2 ohm woofer, make sure your amp is 2 ohm stable - if it is not it will likely shut the amplifier down into protection mode. If the amplifier is cheap, theres a good possibility you'll break it.
Why do you think they offer single and dual voice coil configurations? You are correct in stating that a Sub cannot change it's OHM rating...BUT how you wire multiple speakers or voice coils (Series vs parallel) will have an impact on what the total OHM rating seen by the amp is.If you wire two Subs in Parallel meaning that both positives go to the positive on the Amp (same with the negatives) you are LOWERING your OHM rating. If you wire it in Series, Amp + to Speaker 1 + , Speaker 1 - to Speaker 2 +, then Speaker 2 - to amp - you are INCREASING the ohms (resistance) seen by the amp.
A dual voice coil simply allows you to use a single speaker that has (2) 4 ohm voice coils. If you need proof since no one here has provided it, grab a volt-ohm meter and try it out.
As for SQ (sound quality) issues..Uh if you know anything about amps, the lower level of resistance allows the amp to more easily push out higher power thus producing clipping as it overheats. Again try this with any car amp. Run it at 2ohms for 30 minutes cranked up and you will get clipping. Try the same thing at 4ohm, it may still happen but it would take longer.
http://www.audiovideo101.com/dictionary/clipping.asp
http://www.audiovideo101.com/dictionary/impedance.asp
The above site is for home audio but the same principles apply. Take an electrical engineering 101 class and back up your statements if you are going to mouth off and say no one else here knows squat. If you want to get into the math of it, I've got time.
As for being a member of Caraudio.com...big whoop. That's like a kid here saying 'I'm a member of Mustang Forums, and I say it's OK to run a stock engine on 15psi of boost'. Doesn't mean you know squat either. Yah it'll work, but it will send a piston rod through your oil pan after a few days if not sooner.
Gentleman's Relish
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,189
From: AZ
RE: Question on subwoofers
ORIGINAL: sick95gt
I agree with the 2 above, for the most part. There was so much misinformation in this thread, that you wouldn't know what was right unless you actually know about car audio and install, or are MECP certified at least. Ohms can effect the sound quality, but it depends on the sub and the amp. Most amps play with higher THD (total harmonic distortion) at a lower ohm load, but will give more power. Now, the THD% on most higher quality amps are not audible, so in a lot of cases, you won't hear a difference in SQ from 1-8 ohms. Yes, you can run one amp to each of your subs, but if you have 2 single voice coil 4 ohm subs, you should not run a mono amp to each of your subs. Most mono amps are designed to run at their highest RMS at 2 ohms. Since you can't bridge a mono amp, you'll be playing at 4 ohms with each of your subs. If you can one larger mono amp with your 2 subs in parallel, you would end up at a 2 ohm load. So, as a for instance, a Fosgate bd1000 amp is designed to run at 500watts RMS at 4 ohms, and 1000 watts RMS at 2ohms, at 14.4 volts. So, if you ran one sub to each mono amp at 4 ohms, you'll get 500 watts RMS each. If you ran the same amp with both subs in parallel, at a 2 ohm load, you'll get 1000watts RMS total, being 500 watts RMS each. You come out to the same result, but the amp is working harder and is less efficient and will more likely get warm and sometimes shut off. With the sake of saving money, get one larger, good quality mono amp. Don't go cheap with an $84 amp that claims 1000 watts. That's a peak power rating that happened one time in a test lab in BFE when lightning struck and will never hit that peak again. That amp's RMS is probably less that half of that, and efficiencey % at like 50%, which is horrible. You have good subs, don't run sh*tty power.
I agree with the 2 above, for the most part. There was so much misinformation in this thread, that you wouldn't know what was right unless you actually know about car audio and install, or are MECP certified at least. Ohms can effect the sound quality, but it depends on the sub and the amp. Most amps play with higher THD (total harmonic distortion) at a lower ohm load, but will give more power. Now, the THD% on most higher quality amps are not audible, so in a lot of cases, you won't hear a difference in SQ from 1-8 ohms. Yes, you can run one amp to each of your subs, but if you have 2 single voice coil 4 ohm subs, you should not run a mono amp to each of your subs. Most mono amps are designed to run at their highest RMS at 2 ohms. Since you can't bridge a mono amp, you'll be playing at 4 ohms with each of your subs. If you can one larger mono amp with your 2 subs in parallel, you would end up at a 2 ohm load. So, as a for instance, a Fosgate bd1000 amp is designed to run at 500watts RMS at 4 ohms, and 1000 watts RMS at 2ohms, at 14.4 volts. So, if you ran one sub to each mono amp at 4 ohms, you'll get 500 watts RMS each. If you ran the same amp with both subs in parallel, at a 2 ohm load, you'll get 1000watts RMS total, being 500 watts RMS each. You come out to the same result, but the amp is working harder and is less efficient and will more likely get warm and sometimes shut off. With the sake of saving money, get one larger, good quality mono amp. Don't go cheap with an $84 amp that claims 1000 watts. That's a peak power rating that happened one time in a test lab in BFE when lightning struck and will never hit that peak again. That amp's RMS is probably less that half of that, and efficiencey % at like 50%, which is horrible. You have good subs, don't run sh*tty power.