how do you choose the right amp for a car?

[cyberfuzz]

i bought a 600 watt 12" pioneer sub off ebay, was wondering how i know what watt amp to get, i plan on getting a second 12" sub, do they have to be the the same brand/watt??. it was an impulse buy but i couldnt resist. unfortunatly i have no idea about it :|

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: cyberfuzz
i bought a 600 watt 12" pioneer sub off ebay, was wondering how i know what watt amp to get, i plan on getting a second 12" sub, do they have to be the the same brand/watt??

No they don't, but I'm not a big fan of mixing subs...

Got a link to the sub's specs? Know what box you're going to use or is that open to discussion as well?

 

[Shawn]

get an amp that can supply the RMS rating for your subs. and I'd get the same type of sub if you are installing them in pairs.

 

[Baked]

Watch Pimp My Ride.

 

[jlee]

Same brand for sub wouldn't hurt..might as well run two of the same thing.

For amps...I have a 760w Pioneer (360rms bridged) running my Pioneer 12. IIRC, you want about the same power coming from the amp as the speaker can handle -- you'll blow speakers if you run an underpowered amp too high and start clipping..

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: CadetLee
you'll blow speakers if you run an underpowered amp too high and start clipping..

He'll blow a sub by underpowering it?

Not a chance.

 

[slightlyhuman]

2+2=4

 

[BigPoppa]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: CadetLee
you'll blow speakers if you run an underpowered amp too high and start clipping..

He'll blow a sub by underpowering it?

Not a chance.

It would have to be one shi*tty signal going to the amp in the first place, with the gains maxed. But, it could happen.

 

[Delleet]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: CadetLee
you'll blow speakers if you run an underpowered amp too high and start clipping..

He'll blow a sub by underpowering it?

Not a chance.

IFF he runs it to the point of clipping, then yes he most certainly can.

cyberfuzz - yes, you should get the same sub if you plan to run 2. You also need to take the impedance into consideration. You can run a 2 channel amp and drive one sub off each channel, you can run a mono amp and then run the subs in parallel or series, and so on. If the subs are dual voice coil the combinations can be many.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

You relly don't need more than 1 12" in your car. Power it correctly and ensure it's in a properly sized box. Mixing subs is not a good idea. Each will produce different sound waves, effectively canceling some of them out.


Your 1 12" properly done will sound cleaner and louder than 2 subs asspacked together.

A great Amp. Blaupunkt PA2150 Should be easily found on Ebay for $100 shipped to your door. 400WX1 RMS bridged at 4-ohms.