Thread: Subwoofer to speaker ratio

I'm redoing my stereo setup, and I'm debating a few different things, either just a subwoofer or an app for the fronts and a sub. Question is, how much power can I throw at a sub before I start NEEDING to amp the fronts to keep a balance? Those who have subs, do you have your other speakers amplified? If not, how much power are your subs being fed?

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Man it all depends on you. I have built many many systems of various power classes and sizes. I have had people that are happy with a stock stereo and 1000W amp and a pair of 18's in a 16 cubic foot enclosure to people that have to have Nakamichi and MB quart running 600-700 Watts on the whole system and a single 10" sub and everywhere in between. Personally I usually run about 75 watts per set of mids and highs and 300-500W on the sub(s). Currently I am going to run an A/D/S PH15 and a Hi Fonics Zeus Series VII on I think a pair of 12" Soundstream SPL 12's. The front power will be 100W per channel and the rear will have 50W per channel (6 channel bridged to 4 channels) The subs will have 900W or 450 per driver. It's all up to you.

Jeff

As Jeff said, it all depends on you.

In my T-Bird: JVC head unit, stock 6 speakers and two 10" subs wired to a 400 watt amp in the trunk.
In my Bronco: JVC head unit, 4 aftermarket speakers wired to the deck, and one 10" sub in the custom center console wired to a 240 watt amp.

I found both to be a good balance.

Originally Posted by bg138287

I'm redoing my stereo setup, and I'm debating a few different things, either just a subwoofer or an app for the fronts and a sub. Question is, how much power can I throw at a sub before I start NEEDING to amp the fronts to keep a balance? Those who have subs, do you have your other speakers amplified? If not, how much power are your subs being fed?

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the current setup in my grand prix is JL xr components all the way around on a 300/4 and a single 12w3v3 in a HO box from JL on a 500/1. i enjoy the way it sounds. its pretty dynamic and plenty loud for my taste. i ran the 500/1 on a pair of 10's for several years with the mids just off the Alpine 9813 deck (back when alpine made good decks) it always sounded fine at moderate volume but was seriously lacking if you wanted to turn it up.

in my truck i currently run JL c5 components all the way around on a 600.4HD amp and a pair of 10's under the back seat on a 750.1HD amp. in that case the mids will easily overrun the subs due to the physical driver limitations of the 10's and the space they are confined to. short of giving up the back seat or a custom enclosure for larger subwoofers its about as good as it gets IMHO.

i prefer the setup in the grand prix as it is more balanced.

some where around 50-75 watts per channel on the mids and 500 watts per subwoofer driver should be adequate for most people.

What is your goal with this set up? IMO, an amp is crucial no matter what.

I suppose I should give some background. I have pioneer speakers all around that are rated for 60 rms, pioneer head unit. I just sold a pair of Memphis 12s in a huge ported box for 500 watts.

Five channel amp maybe? Or a 2 channel for the fronts and a mono for a sub?

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Originally Posted by nos4blood70

What is your goal with this set up? IMO, an amp is crucial no matter what.

With the old setup I'd be drowning in bass. I think I'm growing up a bit, I want better sound quality both from my subs and from my full range. I want a cleaner sound everywhere.

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That's probably the route I'll end up going. I've got an old 2 channel lying around somewhere, maybe I'll run some wire from the front speakers to see how they sound - never really even heard the fronts amplified before.

I kinda cheated and got a 5 channel so everything was amped and I only needed the one.

Honestly, every person that checked it out seemed to think it was a great combo and I take no credit. I knew nothing about stereo's, went basically all mid level Boston Acoustics (amp, speakers and sub) and built a sub box to the right size based on it fitting on the side and out of the way.

Overall..I got lucky.

haha nice! I've always had Boston for computer audio, and I've never been disappointed. I think they just make good stuff!
I'd be more inclined to go for a 5 channel if I were sure of the setup I'm looking for. Having one would pretty much lock me into one setup, whereas if I were to run two amps, I'd have more flexibility to switch it up if I so choose. And from what I've read rear speakers aren't really even necessary if everything else is amped.
It's probably gonna be a case of stop thinking about it and just do it, and I'll probably be happy with whatever I choose.

For me.. not having rears would have been odd as I've never gone without. And I personally like a f/r balance instead of having all the sound from the front stage.

Like I said.. I'm no audiophile and knew I wanted more than a stock radio.

A 5 channel amp is fine. I have installed more than a handful (and ended up with a sprained thumb...). The last couple I used were an MB Quart model for my Dads system and the one before that was a Hi Fonics Zues series, one of the newer ones... Newer being about 7-8 years old. That one was for a friend's truck with a JL Audio 10" box for a Tacoma and when the detail guys pulled the seat all the way forward they ended up stepping on the RCA's and broke them inside the amp. My friend bought a new model that was the same power (50x4 and 200x1) and put it in himself. I fixed the old one and he wants to put in his wife's car, when I get a chance. The beauty of the 5 channel is everything is built in. You have the crossover and gains and most everything is adjustable so I have no idea why someone would poo poo a 5 channel especially a decently built one. I have amps like Bill (had?) has W body parts.

Jeff

Had... nothing anymore

Bill demoded his because of mine

Bill didn't demod.

I DD my cars.

We moved into a new place at the beginning of July so I took the subs out...and I realized just how much space I had for stuff.

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