Sub and Amp matching? Wattage, crossover, ohms, etc... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hemlawk · 02-08-2011, 08:49 PM

Can someone explain the ideal sub to amp setup should be? I'm looking at a single sub setup. If the sub is 500w max and 300w rms, what type of amp do I get? Do I need a crossover or bridge?

Thanks in advance.

Topdown · 02-08-2011, 09:50 PM

IMO the best deal available for our cars if you just need to add a sub : ******** all-in-one

you dont have to worry about anything but power, ground and signal... Steve has already answered all the other questions.

USNSCPO · 02-08-2011, 10:04 PM

These days, amps have built in crossovers, so you needn't worry about that.

Bridge means to wire the speaker wire to two channels of a two channel amp together as a single channel, thereby doubling the effective power output and 1/2ing the resistance of your sub. Again, not much to worry about there, but there are some exceptions if you run more than one sub, or a sub with 2 voice coils.

Finally "RMS" simply means constant wattage output or music power output. "MAX" wattage is made during deep hard bass hits. It takes a lot of power to reproduce a 30hz note at 120db. Same hold true for the sub. It can make music at xxx watts RMS, and still maintain its thermal and mechanical integrity. Push the power beyond its RMS rating and the voice coil starts to get hot and the cone may bottom out. Push the sub beyond its "MAX" rating and the voice coil will overheat and burn out fairly quickly, and the cone will start knocking as it bottoms out.

Just because you run a sub on a high power amp doesn't mean you have to feed it all of that power. By keeping things sane, you hold back some overhead to help control the cone movement, and more importantly, don't work the amp as hard.

Hope that's helpful. If you want more details, fire away!

02-08-2011, 08:49 PM	#1
Hemlawk AwesomeBillDawesonville Drives: CGM 2SS/RS =) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 2,067	Sub and Amp matching? Wattage, crossover, ohms, etc... Can someone explain the ideal sub to amp setup should be? I'm looking at a single sub setup. If the sub is 500w max and 300w rms, what type of amp do I get? Do I need a crossover or bridge? Thanks in advance. __________________ Order placed on 1/13/11 - Purchased 2/22/11 2SS/RS CGM

02-08-2011, 09:50 PM	#2
Topdown The wait is over! Drives: 2010 Camaro, IOM, L99, Auto Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Washington Posts: 1,081	IMO the best deal available for our cars if you just need to add a sub : ******** all-in-one you dont have to worry about anything but power, ground and signal... Steve has already answered all the other questions. __________________ Ordered - 4/17/2010 Delivered - 5/29/2010 AlphaDamp CLD Mat - Get more Sound Deadening with less Sound Deadener

02-08-2011, 10:04 PM	#3
USNSCPO Gearhead Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indy Posts: 204	These days, amps have built in crossovers, so you needn't worry about that. Bridge means to wire the speaker wire to two channels of a two channel amp together as a single channel, thereby doubling the effective power output and 1/2ing the resistance of your sub. Again, not much to worry about there, but there are some exceptions if you run more than one sub, or a sub with 2 voice coils. Finally "RMS" simply means constant wattage output or music power output. "MAX" wattage is made during deep hard bass hits. It takes a lot of power to reproduce a 30hz note at 120db. Same hold true for the sub. It can make music at xxx watts RMS, and still maintain its thermal and mechanical integrity. Push the power beyond its RMS rating and the voice coil starts to get hot and the cone may bottom out. Push the sub beyond its "MAX" rating and the voice coil will overheat and burn out fairly quickly, and the cone will start knocking as it bottoms out. Just because you run a sub on a high power amp doesn't mean you have to feed it all of that power. By keeping things sane, you hold back some overhead to help control the cone movement, and more importantly, don't work the amp as hard. Hope that's helpful. If you want more details, fire away! __________________