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  1. #1 Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    SE Level Member bg138287's Avatar
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    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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  2. #2 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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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
    An engine is an engine no matter the size.... I think Dr. Seuss said that... or maybe it was Big Weld....
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  3. #3 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    Donating Users Bronco Boy's Avatar
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    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.
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  4. #4 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    Quote Originally Posted by bg138287 View Post
    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?

    Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
    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.
    - 2001 Grand Prix XGT -- 11.21@124MPH
    - 2010 Chevy 2500HD LTZ -- Car hauler
    - 2011 BMW 328i Xdrive -- Wife's Daily
    - 2014 Ford F250 crew cab -- 6.2 liters of ford fail
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  5. #5 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    GTX Level Member nos4blood70's Avatar
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    What is your goal with this set up? IMO, an amp is crucial no matter what.
    -Carl
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  6. #6 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    My deck is an alpine CDA 7893. it's running a set of aura audio 5 1/4 coax in the doors... I have some QLogic kick panels with 4 inch Fosgate FNQ old school mids with a pair of old school eclipse point source silk tweeters on some oz audio xovers. And those are powered by a PPI black ice 120.2 set at full range.
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  7. #7 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    SE Level Member bg138287's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nos4blood70 View Post
    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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  8. #8 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    Adding an amp to your front stage while drastically improve your sound quality they will really come alive!!! As long as it's a decent set
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  9. #9 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    SE Level Member bg138287's Avatar
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    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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  10. #10 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    never been a fan of 5 channel amps.. id go with a dedicated mono amp for the sub(s)
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  11. #11 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    SE Level Member bg138287's Avatar
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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.
    Brian
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  12. #12 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    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.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  13. #13 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    SE Level Member bg138287's Avatar
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    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.
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  14. #14 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    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.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  15. #15 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    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
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  16. #16 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    Quote Originally Posted by J57ltr View Post
    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
    You charge for all this, right?

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  17. #17 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bg138287 View Post
    You charge for all this, right?

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    If he doesn't.. I say it's time to visit him
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  18. #18 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    Personal preference... I run four speakers off of my head unit (25Wx4), then a 200W amp running a 15" enclosed (non-ported) sub. That has plenty of power to give all of the bass I want, and can hurt my hearing while still being crystal clear. As long as you know how to set an equalizer, hi pass filter, etc., that should be everything you "need".

    -BC
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  19. #19 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Had... nothing anymore
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  20. #20 Re: Subwoofer to speaker ratio 
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    Bill demoded his because of mine



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