Stereo or Mono Amplifier?

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=11254
Printed Date: July 15, 2025 at 7:52 AM

Topic: Stereo or Mono Amplifier?

Posted By: Sebastian018
Subject: Stereo or Mono Amplifier?
Date Posted: March 21, 2003 at 10:49 PM

HI, I have a question, Im thinking about Buying a Bazooka EL1500 MONO AMPLIFIER< OR A PIONEER STEREO CMX-972. I have two Pioneer Premiers PIONEER PREMIER VCCS PRO SUB. What do you guys think it will be the best for the two subs. I dont know the different between Stereo and Mono..... Which one will sound better, and If I can connect the two premiers to a mono amp./?

Replies:

Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: March 21, 2003 at 11:13 PM

What's the exact model number and size of your subs? And did you mean the Pioneer GMX-972? I can't seem to find anything on a CMX-972

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
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Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: March 22, 2003 at 6:59 AM

Sorry, Yes GMX-972, the size of the subs are 10" and model number TS-W1041C

Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: March 22, 2003 at 10:53 AM

Mono amp - 1 channel output (but you can connect multiple subs to that 1 channel)

Stereo amp - 2 or more channels

You can connect your 2 subs to a mono amp. If I read the specs right, they are 4 ohm SVC subs. Wire them in parallel (all the +'s together and all the -'s together) then you'll get a 2 ohm total load, which is what most Mono amps are designed for.

However, I wouldn't recommend either amp you asked about. The main reason is that your subs are 400watts RMS, 800 peak.
The pioneer amp is 150x2@4ohms and 400x1@4ohms (bridged). Thats apx. only 200watts per sub.
The Bazooka amp is 375x1@4ohms and 500x1@2ohms. In order to get the 4 ohm load with the mono and your subs, you would need 1 amp per sub, and you would still only get 375watts. If you wired in parallel to get the 2 ohm load you would only get apx. 250watts per sub. A little better than the pioneer, but not much.

I would stongly look into an amp that puts out apx 400x2@4ohms or 800x1@2ohms. You want to try and match the subs output to the RMS rating of your speakers. Otherwise you'll be underpowering them and it wont sound as good (or loud) as it can.

-------------
Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: March 22, 2003 at 11:49 AM

OK, But IM planning to get Two Bazooka EL1500 ONe to each Speaker and I will be getting 375W 1, but my question is is ther any problem connect the pioneer sub ONly one to only one mono amp, Its going to be any problem connecting the premier to an Mono amp?? thats my question.

thank you

Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: March 23, 2003 at 8:30 AM

wvsquirrel wrote:

You want to try and match the subs output to the RMS rating of your speakers.

Sorry 'bout that, I meant to say "You want to try and match the amps output to the RMS rating of your speakers/subs."

But, the answer to your question is... there is no problem hooking up 1 Pioneer TS-W1041C to 1 Bakooka EL1500 mono amplifier. Your subs are 4 ohms each. The Bazooka amp is 4 ohm stable (even though you wont be getting the most power you can out of them). So all you have to do is hook 1 sub up to each amp and you 'll be getting apx. 375 watts per sub (which is still less the RMS rating of the sub, but I think it's close enough to not cause any damage).

-------------
Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com