How much power do I really need for subs?
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=33874
Printed Date: May 11, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Topic: How much power do I really need for subs?
Posted By: onsatmex5
Subject: How much power do I really need for subs?
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 5:22 PM
I know that more is better but, how much will really get them going? I just bought 2 KICKER 2004 S10L7 SOLO-BARIC 10" SUBWOOFERS I will be using them in a vented enclosure. I was thinking along the line of kicker kx600.1 amp. Or do I need to go higher like a kx1200.1?
Replies:
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 6:30 PM
Well, what kind of music do you listen to? Do you really like to listen at extreme volumes? Are you planning on doing any SPL competitions?
I bet you'd be fine with the 600.1. You can always sell it and upgrade. :-)
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: onsatmex5
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 7:00 PM
NO spl, for me I just like hard rock and deep bass to go with it I do not listen at extreme volumes but I do like it loud.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 7:28 PM
I hope you also purchased 6.5's or coaxials along with that sub. Your music might not have a lot of sound in the range of those solobarics. I have my sub crossed at about 80 Hz and there is a lot of rock music that barely touches the sub; all the bass is played through the coaxials. (I'm not high end...yet, but they sound good.  ) Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the solobarics have a fairly limited musical range. ------------- Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 7:35 PM
Your correct about the solo barics having a limited frequency range (they can't do ANYTHING above 100hz, so I hope you have a 6.5" component set or coaxials like mentioned above). If you are trying to put togethor a system that will sound good with rock music, then I would reconsider your subs.
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 8:09 PM
I agree w/ stevdart and customsubrub. Filling out your mids will be important for your musical tastes. ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: onsatmex5
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 8:53 PM
I am using Kenwood excelon KFC-XR901's 6.9 speakers for the rear deck of the car and Excelon KFC-XR401's in the front doors. Do I need more or diffrent speakers?
Posted By: djMINIoompa
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 9:51 PM
Well the kenwoods aren't exactly top of the line, crystal clear preformance. I would look into some MB quart 6.5's and then possibly some sort of tweeter, perhaps a Focal mounted on your A-bar or on the dash. This will balance out your subs. If you will listen to rock music, you really need to take another look at your sub selection. Stick with the 10" subs though, i wouldnt try to hit lower FQ with a bigger subwoofer.
Posted By: onsatmex5
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 9:59 PM
That is what I bought, 2 KICKER 2004 S10L7 SOLO-BARIC 10 inch subs Is that what you meant?
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 10:23 PM
I would try your system out with your subs and see if you are happy with the sound. If you are then great, quite building. If you arent happy then mabye go to a 6 tweet in a kick pod off an amp or something along those lines. Just because some of the people on here wouldnt be happy with your system doesnt mean that you wont be
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 10:32 PM
Agreed with Ravendarat, and I think you should get some good mid-bass from those 6x9's. As far as the original question, how much power for the subs, I agree with kfr01 with the 600 amp. And, importantly, do you have a 4 channel amp for those speakers in the car?
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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.
Posted By: onsatmex5
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 10:57 PM
I am going to get a 4 channel amp for the speakers in the car, You are right it needs it !
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: June 14, 2004 at 11:07 PM
Good. I am using a 4x50 watt amp (@ 4 ohm) and a 200 watt amp for the sub (@ 4 ohm), and the music gets as loud as I can take it. And no upgrade to the alt or battery was necessary. 400 clean watts of power will give you a rockin' car. You will have more power to your subs because they need more, but a 4x50 amp for speakers may well do what you want it to do.
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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.
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: June 15, 2004 at 8:40 AM
I also just run a 4x50 and a 200 watt amp for the sub @ 4ohm. It can get louder than I want to listen to. Like raven and stevdart said, try your system out w/ what you have. Chances are it will rock and you'll be happy with it. If not then tweaking and upgrading is half the fun of this hobby of ours. :-) ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 15, 2004 at 10:26 AM
I've installed killer sounding systems with as little as 35 watts for the sub and 15 watts for the mains. It all depends on the components used and the desires and tastes of the owner. I've seen loudspeakers routinely hit 110db on 10 watts input. Decide what you want out of your sound system and pick the right components that sound good to you. Don't get hung up on power ratings and big numbers as they are often sales devices and have nothing to do with how a system will sound. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: mobile E
Date Posted: June 15, 2004 at 12:09 PM
and on the other hand of things... im in a band and used to things being extreamly loud... so 50 watts x4 is not quite enough i just upgraded to 90 wattsx4... but it all depends on how far you want to take youre system and how much money youre willing to spend....  and like they said, if you do spend some money and effort into it.. welcome to our hobby.. its fun 
Posted By: onsatmex5
Date Posted: June 15, 2004 at 4:28 PM
Thank All of you for your Help This Is a Good forum! 
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