best to overpower, or underpower?

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=113288
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM

Topic: best to overpower, or underpower?

Posted By: danger3sqn
Subject: best to overpower, or underpower?
Date Posted: April 20, 2009 at 2:42 AM

Hi all,

I have an Alpine MRD-605 amp putting out 1x660WRMS @2ohm (from the test certificate).

In my previous setup I was running 2x12" Alpine Type S subs off the amp mainly due to the cost of Type R ones. Now that I'm doing a much nicer install and don't mind spending a bit more I'm considering 2x10" Type R ones.
I don't want to replace the amp, its big enough for my liking, however it puts me in RMS limbo...

Do I run a pair of Type S? I'd be putting 330WRMS into each, but they're rated to 300WRMS.
Or do I go for Type R? Which I've read can be powered by 200-500WRMS.

Any help would be great, cheers

Replies:

Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: April 20, 2009 at 9:57 AM

It doesn't really matter. Choose the speakers you like and then setup the amp appropriately by setting the gain properly.

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Posted By: memfus_boi
Date Posted: April 21, 2009 at 9:07 AM

i always say its good to overpower, you might want to upgrade in the future. just dont set the gains up too high

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Posted By: danger3sqn
Date Posted: April 21, 2009 at 2:30 PM

memfus_boi wrote:

i always say its good to overpower, you might want to upgrade in the future. just dont set the gains up too high

In that case wouldn't I be better off with the Type R, so that I have the option of upgrading to a more powerful amp in the future? Its early in the morning here so I may be reading it wrong, but I don't understand your statement :) I get the bit about not setting gains too high.

I'm really in 2 minds about this, I'm tending to lean towards the Type R as the recommended sealed enclosure volume is smaller than the Type S, which is important since they're going into a mini! Also so it gives me the option of upgrading to the more powerful Alpine D-class in the future if I decide to. However I've been running a pair of 12" Type S off the amp until now and they sound fine, but I have nothing to compare them to

Thanks for the advice as well DYohn, unfortunately theres bugger all car audio shops where I live though, so I'm not gonna have a chance to pick one I like the sound of!