Matching Subs to Amps

[dzxa06]

So I'm still in that long process of planning out my stereo system. As I am kinda new to this technical part, and I want it to be good, I had a question to my fellow knowlegable scikotics.

How crucial is it to have the RMS of the sub match to the RMS of the Amp? Is having a higher rated amp bad? is it an automatic blow your sub situation? or is it good to have more juice in the amp than whats required? and what of the peak number of the sub, I know its not good to run peak, but does that afford a range or a cushion?

example.

I want to run 1 12 sub that has a nominal power handling of 350 Watts and max power of 1400 watts. (Pioneer TS-SW3041D)

and I want to power it with an amp that does 600 wats RMS at 2 and 4 ohm.

Is that overkill on the sub? should I find a sub and amp that has equal rms numbers?

help and advice apperciated.

[trebor]

That amp sounds just about perfect for your sub, but to keep from messing up your speaker I would definitely have a knowledgeable shop set up the amps gain for you......speakers are pretty tough and can handle alot more power than rated as long as everything is set right but having your gain set wrong could cut short your speakers life. And no it's not an instant blow your speaker type of thing if you don't have it set right so don't worry. Most problems happen when people try to squeeze every little bit of bass out of their speakers by turning up the gains past clipping and engaging all bass boost functions then cranking on the volume knob.....

[Space Cadet]

Good advice- Robert knows!!

[Nebster]

just make sure when you're going with that much power over what the sub wants that you set your gains correctly.

[_Keith_]

Gain at about a 1/4 for when you first turn it on with no bass boost.... and that will be fine.

[Nebster]

turn it all the way off and then turn it up slowly as you use your multimeter to find the right voltage. thats how you properly set it

[trebor]

I believe an Oscope would be the prefered way to tell if the signal is clipping or not.......and from his post, pretty sure thats beyond him right now.....take it to a shop, not sure how far away you live from this but Speakerworks in Orange is the only shop that I know of since I don't live there, but they are the best....period! :kid:

http://www.usdaudio.com/

[dzxa06]

Thank you all for the helpful advice and knowledge. This really does help sometimes to hear from others its going to be ok, before you drop a load of cash on something.

Through much searching, (and subject to change) I think I'm going to go with the Alpine PDX-1.600.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PDX-1.600

RMS Continuous Power (at 14.4V , 20 - 200 Hz )
• Per channel into 4 ohms (≤1%THD+N) 600W x 1
• Per channel into 2 ohms (≤1%THD+N) 600W x 1
S/N Ratio (IHF A Weighted , Reference: rated power into 4 ohms) .. 110dBA
CEA2006 S/N Ratio (IHF A Weighted , Reference: 1W into 4 ohms) ..80dBA
Input Impedance ..10k ohms
Frequency Response .. 20Hz (±1dB) - 200Hz(-3dB)
Crossover Frequency ( Variable) 50 - 200Hz (-24dB / oct.)
Input Sensitivity (V / at 10k ohms) ..0.1 - 8.0V
Dimensions
• Width ..257mm (10-1/8”)
• Height ...62mm (2-7/16”)
• Depth ..192mm (7-9/16”)
Weight .....3.11kg

mostly because I can get 600w out of something thats roughly 10 by 7 1/2.

and I think I'm going to run the pioneer TS-SW3041D 12 inch shallow mount sub.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069927_297394781,00.html

Watts MAX. Music Power 1400 Watts
Watts Nominal Power Handling 350 Watts
Frequency Response 18 ~ 1,000Hz
Sensitivity 88dB
Ohm Rating 4ohm
Recommended Enclosure 0.5 ~ 1.0Cubic Feet
Dimensions 13" x 3-7/8"
Mounting Depth 3-1/4"

Again, thanks for the advice and encouragement.

[trebor]

That'll be a great looking compact little system!

[Toast]

Your horsepower should not exceed your I.Q.


A little off topic but,

I wish mine did.:offtopic: