Choosing Amps
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enigma
Posts: 4
Ive been looking through different amps when i realized i didnt REALLY know what i was looking for. Ive seen that you want to match RMS settings and also seen that you want to go over that by a bit so that your arent running the amp to the max power all the time (Makes sense)
What confuses me is the Ohm rating on it, what should i shop for trying to match that up or whatever i need to do with that. The sub im looking at putting in is a 400w RMS (1200w Peak) with a 4 Ohm.
Any help on what kind of specs i should look for in an amp, and if anyone knows of any cheap but good amp brands throw em at me!
Thank you!
**EDIT** Also, for a sub, would you rather go with a 2 channel or mono?
What confuses me is the Ohm rating on it, what should i shop for trying to match that up or whatever i need to do with that. The sub im looking at putting in is a 400w RMS (1200w Peak) with a 4 Ohm.
Any help on what kind of specs i should look for in an amp, and if anyone knows of any cheap but good amp brands throw em at me!
Thank you!
**EDIT** Also, for a sub, would you rather go with a 2 channel or mono?
Post edited by enigma on
Comments
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We need more information in order to assist you. What's your budget? What associated gear are you using? What kind of music do you like? Do you prefer tubes or solid state?HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
For a single coil sub, I would use a subwoofer plate amp. You said your sub is 4 ohms, so I'd shoot for 350-500 WRMS at 4 ohms from the amp.
If the sub box is vented, you can get away(no problem) with a 300 WRMS. If it is sealed, go more towards the 450 WRMS end.
That's still a lot of power, I hope your room is big enough so that it isn't overkill. Likewise, I hope you like your music to be bass heavy. -
Under 300$ is the goal. i will most likely build the box (sealed or vented?)
I just put in a new dash deck, a Pioneer with 3 4v pre-out pairs, and 50w x4 channels.
i like rock and rap. i would love for the sub to hit hard real hard on the rap and heavier bass, but i also want the pleasent sound for when i listen to the softer rock.
driving a 1998 Ford Explorer, so LOTS of open space
tahnks -
i was also wondering about sub brands the one im looking at is a Kenwood, rated VERY highly but htere is one by a compnay ive never heard of, "Elemental Designs" i was wondering if anyone knows anything about this company, i cant seem to find anything
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Elemental Designs is good stuff, but over marketed in my opinion.
BTW, you're posting a car audio question in a home forum. My previous answer was for home audio.
You want an amp that will deliver over 400 WRMS at 4 ohm mono(or bridged). These are pretty cheap. Next you want to build a box that's best suited for your speaker and trunk space.
If you want to keep some space, go sealed. If you want lots of bass, look at ported and have someone in a shop figure out if a vented box will work for your sub and car(might be too big). -
oh **** i didnt even notice the sections, sorry =D
i have a **** load of trunk space im about 5'10" and i can lay down across the trunk (corner to corner) so ive got space lol. Does a vented box really deliver that much more sound than a sealed box?
the choices for the sub right now are
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ele/709636844.html
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8226617&productCategoryId=abcat0302037&type=product&tab=7&id=1166840602883#productdetail
The Kenwood got EXCELLENT reviews from everyone, havent been able to find much on the ED one.
Also, i have a friend who is selling his Power Acoustik Gothic Series 400w amp, its about 4 to 5 years old. Ive seen people say to stay away from Power Acoustik, wondering if you guys think this will still be a nice powerfull amp for the sub
