Thread: picking the right amp?

Wiring them parallel will be easy seeing they're both SVC. Just wire them as you normally would and bridge them at the amp. Those are basically the same subs, except one is a series newer. Im not sure about the amp, because there is very limited details about it. Is the amp 300 x 2 or 150 x 2? Is that RMS or Peak? And at what load are those numbers 2 ohm or 4 ohm? I'd point you toward some amps, but Im not sure what your budget is.

I found the amp on a different website (I think lol) PROVANTAGE: Directed Electronic Inc CO3002 Directed Electronics 300 W 2 CH Amp with x Over got more details there

or here
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...lt-CO3002.html

or here
http://www.orioncaraudio.com/Product...?ProductID=569

after looking at these specs it seems I could probably get a better one since it's only puttin out 55 watts at 4 ohm and my subs take up to 150 right?

So you have two subwoofers that both have a single voice coil rated for up to 150 watts RMS each at 4 ohms, so when you wire them in parallel you will half the impedance to 2 ohms. So you are looking for one of two amplifiers. Either an Single channel amplifier or two channel amplifier bridged (combining both channels) which has a power output of around 300w RMS at 2 ohms (IMPORTANT) OR a 2 channel amplifier (not bridged, 1 channel for 1 woofer) which has a power output of around 150 Watts at 4 ohms.

All three configurations would be safe for both the amplifier and the subwoofers.

As for the amplifier you have posted, although it would work, it may be under powering the subwoofers by only providing 60 watts at 4 ohms for each channel (and woofer).

Let me know if you have any more questions!

THe picture you have is the correct way to setup an 2-channel amplifier with two 4 ohm subwoofers. Although this is simple, you can achieve more power by hooking up both subwoofers in parallel to achieve a 2-ohm load to a mono- amplifier. Think of ohms as being resistance, the higher the amount, the harder the electricity has to work to achieve the same power. If you wire the subwoofers in parallel, you can have this resistance to 2-ohms. Not only this but for most mono amplifiers, they have two speaker outputs, so hooking them subwoofers up would be no different then your picture describes, except you would be getting more power. Long story short is if you have a 2-channel amplifier, this is the correct way to hook it up but, the better setup is a mono amp with both subwoofers in parallel. Theoretically, half the resistance, twice the power.

I'd say this is a good amplifier...I wouldn't mess with wiring independently unless you plan on using a stereo signal. If you're using a mono signal then just run the subs off one channel.

MB Quart ONX1.1500D - ONYX Class D Monoblock Car Amplifier/Amp

Originally Posted by 2dee11

so the preferred way would be to get a mono amp?

It doesnt have to be a mono-block, you can achieve the same thing with a two channel by just wiring both subs across both channels (bridge)




EDIT** This is actually the wrong picture, this is showing them wired in series.

Originally Posted by KeithGTP03

It doesnt have to be a mono-block, you can achieve the same thing with a two channel by just wiring both subs across both channels (bridge)

Yup, this is the third option I presented. This however my be difficult because most 2 channel amplifiers are not 2ohm stable when they are bridged. So this may be difficult to find.

When you wire them in Parallel it knocks the ohms down to 2ohm. That's why they say you want a 2ohm stable amp.

Originally Posted by 2dee11

those both are 2 ohm subs though? mine are 4 ohms each

You are right. The picture is incorrect for your setup. Your amp would see 2ohms bridged.

so i am looking at some mono amps now and all the ratings i want to look at are @2ohms right? so i want one that is 100-300w x 1 @ 2ohms
and the diagram would look like this right?



OH and any amps from best buy would be preferrable cause my bestfriend can use his employee discount! lol

Yup. That is completely right. I also think someone else mentioned that you should be on the higher side of what your subwoofers RMS rating is, rather than the lower. That and you can even go a little over if you need to without damaging them. Also, one thing is that when you actually do the wiring itself, MANY mono-amplifiers have two sets of speaker terminals. These are there for your convenience and you should most certainly feel free to take advantage of them because they wire up the speakers the same way your picture describes.

That amp is rated 225W at 4ohms. It didn't mention anything about running at 2 ohms so I can't say much about it's power delivery. May I make a recommendation for an amplifier I have worked with and enjoy. Its an infinity REF1300A and can be found for less than $150 online. Its a great amplifier at a great price and would work with your two subwoofers wonderfully.