Incorrect Wiring of Polk MOMO 500.1?

Systems
Systems Posts: 14,873
edited September 2004 in Car Audio & Electronics
My friend wired the Polk MOMO 500.1 amp with the negative wire coming from "Sub 1" and the positive wire coming from "Sub 2." I haven't been happy with my sound, and I thought that this might have something to do with it.

Was he right in wiring it this way? Is it better to wire both positive and negative to "Sub 1" or does it even matter?

Thanks
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Comments

  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    Well, it sounds like he's trying to wire them in series.

    For 2 subs youll want a 2 ohm load. But if those are 4 ohm subs then youre running a 4 ohm load which is putting the amp at half power. If those are 4 ohm subs you need to run the negative to both subs negative and the amp positive to both subs positive. This will present a 2 ohm mono load and will nearly double the power output going to your subs.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited September 2004
    The subs are wired in parallel creating a 6 ohm load (2 10W0 each at 12 ohms).

    Here is the diagram from JL's site on how they are wired:
    http://jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/images/SVC_Parallel_2.gif
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    big mac--did you hear that?--he doesnt like his subs...what brand did he say they were again?

    guest...youre going to have to give us a little more info than that...i dont have any experience with the 500.1...
    sub 1? sub 2?
    does it have 2 channels?
    im guessing the subs only have 1 voice coil correct?
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    OK then. Thats your problem.

    That amp is rated at 350 watts at 4 ohms. If youre giving it a 6 ohm load then youre getting about 250'ish watts. 12 ohm subs are intended for use in 3's. 3 12-ohm subs would present a 4 ohm mono load which would be perfect for a 2 channel amp. They really arent meant to be used in pairs. Its not hurting anything but youre missing out on a LOT of power from the 500.1.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    ahh...i see your diagram now...
    you have it wired right...its the subs....ditch JL and buy something else:)
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by exalted512
    big mac--did you hear that?--he doesnt like his subs...what brand did he say they were again?


    -Cody

    He doesnt like them because hes only giving them 125 watts each. Pay attention son! LOL :p
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    leave it to JL to make something weird like 12 ohms...
    :D
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    Leave it to JL to be on the cutting edge and offer something as flexible as 12 ohm subs so people can run 3 subs off a single 2 channel amp in a 4 ohm load.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    cutting edge?
    my stock 4x6s were 12ohms
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    Well now, 4x6's wouldnt be subs now would they?
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    JL comes up with some pretty good ideas...like their 5 channel amp
    too bad its all way too expensive?
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    i like the 3-ohm rating of the w7, useful in many situations (especially 2 in parallel with their regulated amps??)... i haven't heard any jl subs other than the w0, and i must say that i really didn't like it... not compared to anything else that was on display, especially considering the price... the w0 was about 2/3 the price of the other stuff (namely eclipse aluminiums and some planet subs) and the eclipses and planets blew the w0 out of the water, hands down, no questions asked... i may be demoing a w7 at some point soon, so if i do, i'll post honest first-hand results...
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    Trust me youll like it. It is one hell of a sub. It aint the tallest hog at the trough (I personally think the Orion H2 holds that honor) but its pretty bad ****.

    You should check out a W6 if you get a chance. They dont hit as hard as the 7 but are a good bit tighter and more accurate. They also cost half as much! ;)
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    ive heard a 10w7 in a sound room and a 12w7 and a 13w7 "in car"
    sounded great
    the time i heard the 12 was at the same time i first heard the brahma...the brahma seemed to have a more natural, "dry" sound...the w7 has a specific sound--anyone with a some experience can tell you what im talking about...not sure how to explain it...some people like it, some people dont...i could barely tell the difference one way or the other...but there was a difference...im not for or against it though...it certainly doesnt make it a bad woofer...but i did like the brahma better
    couldve been the install...who knows?
    but at half the price...ill take the brahma with the larger power handling and better motor technology...
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    I can agree with that.

    Personally, at this level I dont really think theres that much difference. Some models are marginally better in certain areas but when youre in this league, no one sub can whoop another.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • LittleCar_w/12s
    LittleCar_w/12s Posts: 568
    edited September 2004
    The high-end market runs so head-to-head that it truly comes down to the install...
    ___________________________
    Total cost of materials: Going up...
    Time spent: Countless Hours...
    Cranking the system, having it quiet outside the car, and sound that takes the rear-view off inside: PRICELESS

    For some things in life, you pay others to do it... For a masterpeice, do it yourself.
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    Agreed. You can just look at SQ competitions to see that.

    Take Gary Biggs. He was winning at will with Kicker gear, then joins JBL and goes with their gear and continues to layeth the smack down.

    As long as you go with quality gear and install it properly youll have a great sounding system regardless if its Dynaudio or JBL.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    well then why do we buy good gear?
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    so we wont have to have as good an install...
    lol
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited September 2004
    oh, i knew there was a reason... it's so we don't have to fiberglass the entire interior, then...
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited September 2004
    yeah or move the steering wheel or weld the seats in different locations or completely redo the dash, not to mention the total rip out and make over of the rest of the car....
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • LittleCar_w/12s
    LittleCar_w/12s Posts: 568
    edited September 2004
    .....or rebuild the interior out of MDF and windows out of steel bars and 1" acrylic.......
    ___________________________
    Total cost of materials: Going up...
    Time spent: Countless Hours...
    Cranking the system, having it quiet outside the car, and sound that takes the rear-view off inside: PRICELESS

    For some things in life, you pay others to do it... For a masterpeice, do it yourself.
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited September 2004
    LOL! No kidding!

    That was why I never planned on competing. I didnt want to rip out the entire interior of my beloved Dodge and replace it with a $20,000 fiberglass job.

    MECA is the only competition sanctioning body that classifies its competitors by vehicle modifications. The Stock and Amateur class allow only one pair of tweeters to be mounted in a non stock location. Everything else has to use OEM provisions. Finally! A class for the real world!
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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