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amplifier, sub wiring

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=101093
Printed Date: May 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM


Topic: amplifier, sub wiring

Posted By: DK888
Subject: amplifier, sub wiring
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 7:35 PM

I have an old school RF Power 1100a2 and MTX 81000D Mono D amplifier. Which is better to power my subwoofers?

Let's assume that the MTX is a better choice...

1) What is the best way to wire my subwoofers to get the most power out of the MTX 81000D? I have (2) AudioPipe TXX-AP10W 10' subwoofers, rated at 1200W each, 4 ohm, dual voice coil.

Currently I have the subwoofers wired down to 2ohms individually, in a ported enclosure and do not have 14.4VDC.

500 Watts RMS/CH x 1 into 4 Ohms <2% THD+N
1000 Watts RMS/CH x 1 into 2 Ohms <2% THD+N
1500 Watts Dynamic Power x 1 into 2 Ohms (14.4VDC)

2) The amplifier is a Class D mono amplifier. I noticed that there is (4) terminal outputs for speakers. The only indications of outputs are (+/-) (+/-) next to the remote wire in lead. In conjunction with this, do I bridge it and how? OR, do I wire each subwoofer at 2 Ohms directly into each of the two +/- inputs? Someone told me that by doing so, it will bring it down to 1 Ohm since the subwoofers are wired to 2 Ohm.

3) Lastly, the amp recommends using 0 AWG power cable. I have 2 AWG wiring running to my trunk already. Will this be a problem?



Replies:

Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Yea 2 gauge is fine. That amp has 0 gauge connectors for marketing reasons - nothing technical here.

That MTX amp looks terrible for those subs. I think the RF is probably the better choice. Why don't you link to that RF amp as well - I'm thinking it would work better for 4-ohm dvc's ... but post up some more info I seriously don't feel like hunting for it.

dk888] wrote:

R, do I wire each subwoofer at 2 Ohms directly into each of the two +/- inputs? Someone told me that by doing so, it will bring it down to 1 Ohm since the subwoofers are wired to 2 Ohm.


'Someone' is correct, it will wire for 1-ohm, which this amp does not support. This amp is not a good match for these subs . . .

-------------
"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview




Posted By: DK888
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Thanks for you prompt reply. I'm looking to sell one of the amplifiers,   so I'll keep which is best for the setup. What is 4-ohm "dvc's"?
I think I listed both amplifier specs and subwoofer specs to the best of my knowledge.

MTX 81000D Mono D amp:
500 Watts RMS/CH x 1 into 4 Ohms <2% THD+N
1000 Watts RMS/CH x 1 into 2 Ohms <2% THD+N
1500 Watts Dynamic Power x 1 into 2 Ohms (14.4VDC)

RF Power 1100a2 amp:
https://www.carsound.com/review_archive/amps/1100a2chts.html

(2)AudioPipe TXX-AP10W in ported box
1200watt dual voice coil subwoofer, 4Ohms.

I can also be reached on AIM: hobbesnyc or Yahoo: iisinnedii






Posted By: DK888
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:06 PM
sedate wrote:

Yea 2 gauge is fine. That amp has 0 gauge connectors for marketing reasons - nothing technical here.

That MTX amp looks terrible for those subs. I think the RF is probably the better choice. Why don't you link to that RF amp as well - I'm thinking it would work better for 4-ohm dvc's ... but post up some more info I seriously don't feel like hunting for it.

dk888] wrote:

R, do I wire each subwoofer at 2 Ohms directly into each of the two +/- inputs? Someone told me that by doing so, it will bring it down to 1 Ohm since the subwoofers are wired to 2 Ohm.


'Someone' is correct, it will wire for 1-ohm, which this amp does not support. This amp is not a good match for these subs . . .


Ok.. what if I use the MTX 81000D and wired the subs to remain at 4Ohms, individually. Then connect to the amplifier, which should bring it down to 2Ohms while outputing 1000watts...if I'm correct?




Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:14 PM
dk888] wrote:

ttp://www.carsound.com/review_archive/amps/1100a2chts.html



That! That amp! Use that! "nearly a kilowatt into a 4-ohm reactive load" ooooo ... perfect for you!

Beats the bejesus out of that craptacular MTX that's for shure.

Copy the bottom picture for your wiring schematic:

https://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=2&I=42

Dump that MTX! That thing sucks.


-------------
"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview




Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:16 PM
dk888] wrote:

k.. what if I use the MTX 81000D and wired the subs to remain at 4Ohms, individually. Then connect to the amplifier, which should bring it down to 2Ohms while outputing 1000watts...if I'm correct?


No. This doesn't work.
Do what I said. Subs cannot "remain at 4-ohms, individually" - it doesn't work that way.
You'll get about 90% more power from a cleaner, and even for RF, simply *better* amp.


-------------
"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview




Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:22 PM
I too would be using the Rockford amp and wire the subs in a series / parellel circuit to yield max power from the bridged outputs of the Rockford amp. That Rockford is a tank that puts out way more power than advertised. Make 100% sure that you have a good ground for this particular amp. Read my What is a Proper Ground sticky as this is the very amp that necessitated the need for the sticky in the first place.

-------------
Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.




Posted By: DK888
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Wow.. the old RF Power 1100a2 is the choice of both of you. I just picked up the MTX 81000D today! I guess I'll sell the MTX to someone and stick with the RF.

My previous setup was (2) 10'in Kicker L7's in a sealed box wired to 2 Ohms with the RF Power 1100a2. Though the L7's lasted me only 1 and half years, they kicked ass with that amp.

My knowledge with these things are not up to par. I love MTX amps, which is why I picked it up. Being that the pwr rating are nearly the same, I was hoping to get more out of the newer amp..the MTX.

Thanks!




Posted By: DK888
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:33 PM
sedate wrote:

dk888] wrote:

ttp://www.carsound.com/review_archive/amps/1100a2chts.html



That! That amp! Use that! "nearly a kilowatt into a 4-ohm reactive load" ooooo ... perfect for you!

Beats the bejesus out of that craptacular MTX that's for shure.

Copy the bottom picture for your wiring schematic:

https://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=2&I=42

Dump that MTX! That thing sucks.



Ok. I'm looking at the schematic. Being that the 1100a2 is a 2 channel amp. Which diagram am I working off of from the link you sent me?
1 Ohm or 4 Ohm and when I connect it to the amp, do I bridge it or keep the channels seperate?




Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:36 PM
dk888] wrote:

eing that the pwr rating are nearly the same, I was hoping to get more out of the newer amp..the MTX.


The power ratings for these amps may look numerically similar, but these are *very* different amplifiers for very different install situations. Here, it actually comes down to your woofers - if you had different (read 4ohm SVC) woofers, this would not really be as clean cut a decision (but the RF would still probably prove the better choice).

Good luck - post back with any questions or clarifications!

-------------
"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview




Posted By: sedate
Date Posted: January 12, 2008 at 8:41 PM
dk888] wrote:

Ohm and when I connect it to the amp, do I bridge it or keep the channels seperate


Bridge the RF amplifier and make the woofers look like the "4-ohm" schematic on the link I posted - the bottom image on the page. Do NOT wire the woofers to the "1-ohm" schematic - hooked to either the RF or the MTX, this would (well . . . could) cause serious damage!

Series the voice coils, parallel the woofers, bridge the amp! Ok?!

-------------
"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview




Posted By: DK888
Date Posted: January 14, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Thanks Sedate.. I'll give it shot during the week. Wire to 4 Ohm and bridge it on the amp. I hope my quarter panels fall off with the bass!





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