Amp suggestion/question
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=28759
Printed Date: July 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Topic: Amp suggestion/question
Posted By: erinh
Subject: Amp suggestion/question
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 1:39 AM
Right now I have a Rockford Fosgate Punch 150S amp (150 watts RMS) and 2 Rockford Fosgate RFZ3812 PunchZ 12'' subs. I'm pretty happy with the system right now, but I want just a little more bass. I'm thinking about switching to a RF Punch 300S amp (300watts RMS) instead. Do you guys think this will make much of a difference? (And I know these aren't high priced items, but this is all I can afford right now)
Replies:
Posted By: Ketel22
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 1:44 AM
with out doing any research on the subs, with the amount of power available to the subs (if they can handle it) you will have a 3db increase.
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Quad L Handyman services
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 2:02 AM
The speakers can handle 150rms each, so that should be no problem. Is 3db really that much of a difference?
Posted By: 94bonny
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 2:05 AM
doulbing the current power should increase the volume but theres no garuntee of a 100% positive 3 db increase, you will however notice the increased volume for sure
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Alpine cda 9813
jl 500/1
eclipse aluminum 15"
Posted By: superstreet786
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 2:39 AM
I think you would notice a pretty big difference with an extra 150 watts but if i were you id just get a new system haha
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---- 1996 Chevy S10 ----
1 Lightning Audio S2.600.2 Amp
2 Lightning Audio 12" Subs
1 Lightning Audio 1 Farad Cap
Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 3:10 AM
well, usually, 3db= twice as loud. If the subs can handle 150 rms, and u have a 150 amp.. you are only powering one sub (technically), however, with the current setup, it can be said that you have a SQ system, not a bad thing, Adding the extra 150 watts wont make you the next SPL competitor, but you will definitely notice an extra bump in the trunk. Good luck man.
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1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 3:50 AM
thanks for the replies. i think i will get the amp this week.
thapimpfromchi: by the way what is a SQ system? i'm not trying to compete, just wanted a little bass. also, i'm not a man :p
Posted By: Ketel22
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 3:55 AM
SQ is for sound quality sounds better less boom. SPL is sound pressure level, usually the systems you feel more than you hear.
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Quad L Handyman services
Posted By: jbjohn22jb
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 9:18 PM
If erinh wants more bass wouldn't it make sense to ask what type of enclosure their in? Weather the box is sealed or ported? Aside from just uping the amp, of course. ------------- "I'm only doin' this for ya because I heard that Buffalo Bob guy shoved a road flare up yer bunghole...."
Kenwwod 315s
2 Audiobahn AWI25IT
1 Audiobahn A275HCT
1 Tsunami 1.0
1 Legacy 3.0
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 21, 2004 at 9:58 PM
They are in a sealed box. Do you think it would be wise to build another box to port? (this is in a 96 camry, so I do have a lot of trunk room). Also my headlights dim just a little bit with the current setup, with this new amp I'm wondering if it will get much worse. Is there anywhere online to find out how many amps my alternator is? Should I think about buying a capacitor?
Posted By: jbjohn22jb
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 1:14 AM
Sealed boxes give you a deeper, tighter bass sound, while a ported box gives you "louder" sound but you lose that deep bass. I think the deeper, tighter bass is what you are looking for. I would not go ported if deeper is what you want. You might try putting polyfill in the box as well. The answer may be a new amp. Which way are the speakers facing? Facing the trunk or the seats? You might try moving the box around to find the sound you are looking for. But try other "methods" first. As far as your lights are concerned, get a capacitor. 1.0 farad will probably do fine, unless you want to go more, in case you upgrade your system in the future. (I know I will catch hell for that one) If that doesn't work, than go with a new alt. Is your alternator the original one? You might go to a Toyota website and find out your answer on a message board. It may be in your owners manual or a Camry repair guide. I think it also may be listed on the alt itself.
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"I'm only doin' this for ya because I heard that Buffalo Bob guy shoved a road flare up yer bunghole...."
Kenwwod 315s
2 Audiobahn AWI25IT
1 Audiobahn A275HCT
1 Tsunami 1.0
1 Legacy 3.0
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 1:32 AM
Yah I want deep bass over loud. I put about 1lb of polyfill in each box. I tried pointing the speakers in different directions, and it worked the best facing towards the trunk. I'm going to try and find out about the original alternator and wait until my new amp gets here until I get a capacitor or replace the alternator. Thanks for your replies.
Posted By: jbjohn22jb
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 1:57 AM
Keep me informed. Curious about outcome. Thanks.
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"I'm only doin' this for ya because I heard that Buffalo Bob guy shoved a road flare up yer bunghole...."
Kenwwod 315s
2 Audiobahn AWI25IT
1 Audiobahn A275HCT
1 Tsunami 1.0
1 Legacy 3.0
Posted By: thapimpfromchi
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 2:52 AM
Hey man, you could also, build yourself a bigger sealed box. It'll let you get deeper notes, and will require less power from the amp.
-------------
1990 Honda Civic HB:
Clarion DXZ545MP H.U.
2- 6.5" Power Acoustik interiors
Diamond Audio 600.1 amp
Diamond Audio 15" M6MKII
Pyramid PB881X 4 CH. Amp
Posted By: 94bonny
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 9:58 AM
erinh- with a new amp especially one doubling the pull of power from your battery to produce the extra wattage, you will experience a higher degree of your lights dimming. i would say dont go with the capacitator as it is temporary, but upgrade your alternator ------------- Alpine cda 9813
jl 500/1
eclipse aluminum 15"
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 4:44 PM
Alright I checked today and the stock alt is 80amps. I looked in the the teardown manual and it says with all accessories on it draws 30 or more amps. The new amp has a 30 amp fuse in it so I figured total load should be 60 or a little more. I also have a radar detector and cell phone charger I use all the time, so I guess that adds on more. So will the stock 80amp alt handle this new amp or will it harm it over time?
Also I was looking at the chart at https://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp and it says a 300 watt rms amp will draw 48amps. If this is correct, why would the amp have a 30amp fuse? And if that is correct, that will put me at 80amps - will the battery just drain as the alternator is unable to keep up?
So I'm guessing I'm eventuallly (maybe soon) going to need to buy a high output alt. I don't have much money (the same reason I'm using entry level subs/amp), so cost is a big issue for me. I found a 120 amp alt for $220 at mralternator.com, and they also sell a 150amp alt for $240. If I were to buy one of these, would the 120amp one be fine? Is there a rough number of how many extra amps the alternator should be able to supply?
Does anyone have any input on www.mralternator.com ? Any other cheap, reliable high output alternator sellers out there?
One last question, I had 12ga wire for the power/ground for my old amp and I bought some 8ga to replace it with - will this be thick enough for this amp (it is about 18ft from the battery)?
I'm sorry for such a long post and asking so many questions, but you guys are always so helpful and I really don't have anyone else to ask. So thank you!!!
Posted By: jbjohn22jb
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 8:38 PM
Again, you should upgrade to accomodate your current system, but you should also keep in mind that since you are at the "entry" level, go ahead and go bigger so that when you get beyond "entry" level, you will be ok. Does that make sense? Your cell charger and detector doesn't draw that much so I wouldn't worry about those. I haven't dealt with any online dealers as far as HO alts go. What city are you in and I will see what I can come up with? Pm me if you don't want to air it. Eight gauge should be fine, But four gauge would be better. Remember the hose analogy, too much pressure makes the "small hose" burst, while not enough pressure through the "big hose" only lets the water trickle. ------------- "I'm only doin' this for ya because I heard that Buffalo Bob guy shoved a road flare up yer bunghole...."
Kenwwod 315s
2 Audiobahn AWI25IT
1 Audiobahn A275HCT
1 Tsunami 1.0
1 Legacy 3.0
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 8:53 PM
I live in Memphis, TN. I read somewhere earlier that you can take your current alternator to someone and have them rebuild it for more output - but the post I read wasn't clear as to what type of mechanic or if just any could do this. I wasn't sure if maybe this might be cheaper than buying a new one? Also I don't know what a reasonable price for this would be for this.
Posted By: jbjohn22jb
Date Posted: March 22, 2004 at 9:53 PM
------------- "I'm only doin' this for ya because I heard that Buffalo Bob guy shoved a road flare up yer bunghole...."
Kenwwod 315s
2 Audiobahn AWI25IT
1 Audiobahn A275HCT
1 Tsunami 1.0
1 Legacy 3.0
Posted By: erinh
Date Posted: March 23, 2004 at 4:14 AM
Thanks for the list of these shops. I'm assuming these are places to just get my current one rebuilt? Do you know what a fair price for this should be? Also, should I just explain why I need a higher output alternator or should I just ask them how much it would cost to rebuild it for a specific number like 120 or 150 amp?
Thanks again for all your help :)
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