ttocs

some amps are not rated to go down to a two ohm mono load so you also need to watch for that when matching the amp to the sub. Your amp not listing a 2 ohm mono load means that it is probably not stable that low and will get hot really really fast if you do it. Heat is bad in car audio, really bad. So you will want to aim for a 4 ohm load in the end, or consider a different amp.

Honestly the power rating of the speaker is one of the more useless data #'s that is given and I never pay any attention to it. If I have my choice I just send as much power to it as I can and make sure to keep it out of the clipping stage when it sounds bad anyway and it will be fine. I have seen just as many speakers that were blown while being hooked up to an amp that was just too small. When this happens people try to turn it up more to compensate for the lack of power and drive the speaker into clipping. If you are into motors that is the same as laying on your rev limiter for as long as you have it turned up. What happens is the amp drives the speaker to its furthest point(in and both out) and then holds it there for a split second, thousands of time per second... That will build heat, and the heat will build because the speaker is not moving when clipping and also not cooling itself. Enough heat builds and you will let the magic smoke the amp runs on out and then you have to pay to put it back in and get it working again.

saltydog7seas

LOL. I believe you have just convinced me to sell my amp and get an amp and speaker that are a better match. I am hoping I can find a good combo for $300 or less by mixing and matching on ebay. I don't want to knock my neighbors out of bed but I'd like a good little punch. What wattage range do you think would be best for me? What should I be looking for as far as brands/models when it comes to a good deal?

Chromeshadow

Are you planning on driving the 6x9 door speakers and the sub with this amp? Can you post the model of the amp?

saltydog7seas

The amp is XM-280GTX 2-channel amplifier. I was just planning on powering one sub with it. Would something like the Alpine MRP 500 work for me? It looks like that is in the right price range for me on ebay. Maybe an Alpine type R 10" with it?

Chromeshadow

The Sony is 200 W RMS using a 4 Ohm sub, the Alpine is 300 W RMS using the same sub. The volume is not linear.. the sound will not be 50% louder with the Alpine, more like 15%. If you use a 2 Ohm sub you'll be ahead with the Alpine that claims 500W RMS.

I'd use the 200W RMS amp, find a 500W or 1000W 4 ohm single voice coil sub and make a good sealed box following the requirements for that sub, and wire everything with slightly oversize wire, add a good cap by the amp, and solder all the connections...run the ground back to the battery. Make sure the sub is in phase with your other speakers. This is only-what I would do, I have a 4 channel Sony 300W in my 2000, I bridged 2 75W RMS channels to the 10" sub and it sounds good enough to keep my 17 yr old "heavy metal loving" son happy. The other 2 channels run to the door speakers. Btw, I do have a Sony head with a sub output that only sends the low frequencies to the amp, this may make it a little more efficient.

saltydog7seas

Ok, so what would be some of the best subs for that? If I know the names and they are too expensive I can wait for a deal if it's worth it.

Any opinion on the memphis PR series? I found a guy selling the 500Wamp (PR1.500) and 10" sub for $150. Should I jump on that or is that not a big deal? I keep hearing Memphis is top end stuff.

Actually, if that is a really good deal I will use that setup and put the sony on the door speakers.

Chromeshadow

Picking a speaker is more subjective than an amp, and the enclosure makes a huge difference in the sound. I always buy new, I'm not good at finding good e-bay deals, although lots of people have good luck there. I'd stay with any name brand mid price range sub. I do like JBL , I've had good luck with them and they are part of Harman. Harman has some of the most **** engineers in the Audio world IMHO. I'm sure you will get much better feedback from people who own different brands.