Weak 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=42194
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM

Topic: Weak Sub

Posted By: clemsondave
Subject: Weak Sub
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 5:53 PM

I am hooking my system up in stages. I have the HU, amp and sub installed.

Output for the sub is VERY low.

Alpine 9827 HU; Eclipse PA5532 amp, JL 10w3v2 D4 (parallel), MB quart PCE 216's(not hooked up yet)

I have tried gain and crossover settings. Messed with all settings in HU.

Ohm meter on sub = 1.9 ohm

12.5v to amp with car not running (4 gauge wire directly to battery). Car running does not help sub output.

I do not have the front speakers hooked up, but that should not matter should it. I am just running factory speakers with the HU.

Any ideas?

Replies:

Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 5:59 PM

Make sure your wires on sub are in phase + to + - to -.

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Posted By: clemsondave
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 6:07 PM

I would not get 2 ohm with a meter on the leads if that was wrong, right?

Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 7:27 PM

Your ohm reading would be the same either way.

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Posted By: clemsondave
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:06 PM

It is wired like this. I have a D4

posted_image

Posted By: bassinbuddha
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:27 PM

Check your RCAs.

Posted By: bassinbuddha
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:28 PM

Check your RCAs. Drape another set from the HU to the amp.

Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:30 PM

It just may be that your amp does not have enough power for what you are looking for. I read the specks on the and it is rated @ 280w for the sub which is only 140w per voice coil. These subs can handle at least twice the amount you are giving them.

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Posted By: clemsondave
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:33 PM

Sorry, I figured it out.

Believe it or not the HU was putting out more volume to the factory speakers than if I have the MB's hooked to amp.

I turned the amp off on the HU, temporally connected the MB's, and voila! With factory speakers and HU power, I had volume level at around 8-10. With amp and MB's, I had to put the volume up to around 20.

I guess the volume was not up high enough to hear the sub. The factory speakers were loud though.

Now just need to fine tune.

Thanks for the thoughts!

Posted By: clemsondave
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:35 PM

furflier:

Now you have me worried. I am new to this stuff so I guess I was figuring wrong. I thought that JL req. 300w. I figured 280 was close enough. Not true?

dave

Posted By: furflier
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:41 PM

The amp you are running is fine for the sub. Just thought you might be expecting more out of it than it could produce. I am sure once everything is connected you will be pleased with the sound.

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Posted By: clemsondave
Date Posted: November 03, 2004 at 8:43 PM

Thanks for the help!!

Yea, it sounded pretty good with everything loose. I can't wait to have it all buttoned down.

dave