Overpower vs Underpower Sub?
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=32034
Printed Date: July 24, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Topic: Overpower vs Underpower Sub?
Posted By: mrdragon
Subject: Overpower vs Underpower Sub?
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 4:26 AM
Guys need some info on what do u mean by underpower the sub?? I am thinking of gettting 2X 12" they are rated at 150WRMS each and i was thinking of driving each sub with 75WRMS is that work ok, or should i just buy 1 sub and use 150WRMS to drive it??? Which give better result??
Cheers :)
Replies:
Posted By: doc t
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 5:08 AM
in a matter of speaking, in my opinion, it is always better to overpower a sub vise underpower it. i'm driving my 2 subs @ 550wrms and there rated @ 150wrms each, have always done this with no problems. T
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 1:53 PM
You can underpower a sub all day long as long as the gain is set properly and the system is used properly. If you want it louder, find a bigger amp.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: nottelling
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 3:35 PM
i have 2 200 watt rms subs any opinons on how much power they should have put to em?
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 3:38 PM
nottelling wrote:
i have 2 200 watt rms subs any opinons on how much power they should have put to em?
What's their make/model and what kind/size of enclosure are they in? ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: djMINIoompa
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 7:13 PM
back to mrdragon's question....There are more cases of blowing subs from underpowering them. However, forbidden makes a very valid point. You must set the gain right. Whether over powering or under powering, you still ahve the same chance to blow the subs if the gain isnt set properly. I would rather have more power, this not only get the full potential out of the subs, but it also gives you room to expand and upgrade your system.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 10:18 PM
are they SVC or DVC and are they 2 or 4 ohm?
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: xetmes
Date Posted: May 12, 2004 at 10:23 PM
forbidden wrote:
You can underpower a sub all day long as long as the gain is set properly and the system is used properly. If you want it louder, find a bigger amp.
Exactly. I really hate the term "underpowering", it has nothing to do with the power, if the amplifier is not clipping there is no problem. The clipping of the amp is what causes the destruction of the speaker, keep the signal distortion free and you can run a 30 inch sub at one watt forever..
Posted By: mrdragon
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 1:43 AM
Ok how do u set the gain properly?? the sub i am thinking of getting is a 4 Ohms SVC. Cheers :)
Posted By: casedeez
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 2:15 AM
Hey mrdragon, take a look at my most recent post. I list three differant ways to do it, as far as which way is the best, I have found thats hard to find here. Your best bet may be to do a search either on here (you'll find two posts about setting gain) or google it. The JL audio page has some tutorials but it has a lot to do with thier amps. If by chance your able to uncover something which I havnt found by all means please let me know. I hope this helps at least a little bit.
Posted By: doc t
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 5:23 AM
I use as a general rule, no more then 300wrms more then the total of all your subs. now somebody may not agree with this theory, and thats fine, that is just what i use and have all ways used and have never had a problem. with the gains set properly and the HU volume at a lower setting you will induce less distortion, the better it will sound.
Posted By: fuseblower
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 7:43 AM
I agree with forbidden. Just set your gains right and you can play your subs forever with out any problems. What type of amp do you have? Some amps have on the settings for input voltage listed around the gain dial. Just match that to your subs and you are good to go. Normally if your amp gain is half way or a little over half it is at a gain setting of 0.5 for low voltage rated radios. At about a 1/4 of the way you might be close to the range of a radio that puts out about 2.5 volts. This is only estimates. If you really want to see when distortion is hitting your subs connect a low wattage interior auto bulb in between your positive wire and your box connectors. If the bulb lights up your subs and seeing distortion and you should turn down your gain a little.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 8:20 AM
Divide the box in the middle and treat each side like a separate enclosure. Each side would get the specified port. Caulk where you run the wires through. Make sure to measure the inside of both sides separately to get the right interior volume.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
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