3 subs in a box

[White Rider 10+ year member]

So due to my limited space in my single cab pickup i have 3 kenwood shallow subs. I am about to begin to build a box to go behind the seat and i have some questions. First is there a reason why i never see anyone with 3 subs? Can one amp power all 3 of them efficiantley? Also will porting make a big difference in the sound of these subs? I have an idea for external porting so i dont take away from the cubic feet space inside the box. And if i have a bit more than the recommended cubic feet of the box will that be better or are they tuned at that air space? And the length and space of the port is going to be a little different, does that make a big difference in the air exchange? There will probably be plenty more question but any information the you have would be great. Thanks

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[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

shallow subs=sealed.

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

So due to my limited space in my single cab pickup i have 3 kenwood shallow subs. I am about to begin to build a box to go behind the seat and i have some questions. First is there a reason why i never see anyone with 3 subs? Can one amp power all 3 of them efficiantley? Also will porting make a big difference in the sound of these subs? I have an idea for external porting so i dont take away from the cubic feet space inside the box. And if i have a bit more than the recommended cubic feet of the box will that be better or are they tuned at that air space? And the length and space of the port is going to be a little different, does that make a big difference in the air exchange? There will probably be plenty more question but any information the you have would be great. Thanks

most of the reason for have 2 or 4 versus three is because most people like whole numbers versus decimal points when figuring ohm load

 

[White Rider 10+ year member]

shallow subs=sealed.

Really? I have heard that but i also have seen a shallow sub in a poted box and it did hit hard.

Also these subs are a 4ohm sub...and the amp is a RF 500 mono that puts out 500 at 1 ohm. Im very new to amps and dont know what that means. What does that need to be at to give the subss enough power? or do i need to match the ohms?

 

[bonesninja 5,000+ posts]

good place to start reading

http://www.bcae1.com/

 

[White Rider 10+ year member]

If thats true that you dont need to port the box does the box have to be divided into 3 sections? Or would it be better for the subs to be in 1 big enclosure?

 

[z0n3d0u7 10+ year member]

Id divide it.

500 watts @ 1 ohm means your amp will put out that much when it see's that ohm load. Most amplifiers put out more power at lower ohm's. PG Xenons and JL slash series are regulated and put out the same power from 4 to 1 ohm.

Wiring 3 4 ohm DVC subs would give you a 2.66 ohm load, IIRC.

2 subs would give you the most power out of your amp. but power may not be the best bet vrs more surface area. Someone else MAY be able to answer that.

My friend was running 3 audiobahn 4ohm dvc subs off of a kicker 600.1 [600 watts at 2 ohm's.] and it hit pretty hard.

 

[White Rider 10+ year member]

So runnin my amp at 1 ohm to all 3 of my subs would be the best; worst; horrible idea? Im just not sure what to do. The amp is 250watts at 4ohm, 400watts at 2ohm and 500watts at 1 ohm. Im unexperienced at elecronics right now and really have no idea what or even how to do this.

 

[White Rider 10+ year member]

Any help or information would be great. About the box or the amp and subs. Thanks

 

[qtipextra 5,000+ posts]

If they are single voice coil, and you wire them in parallel, you will end up with 1.33 Ohms.

Whereas this is close to 1 ohm, you should be able to get just about 500 watts RMS. (probably close to 450-475)

 

[maseyferguson05 10+ year member]

Amps just don't have ohm switches. Its all about wiring. Heres how i think of it. The better and more efficient you wire them the less ohms and more power.

I'm sure someone can explain it way better than i can. Thats an easy way to understand it.

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

what are the factory recommendations?

 

[White Rider 10+ year member]

what are the factory recommendations?

Heres a link to the amp.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9103_Rockford+Fosgate+Power+T500-1bd.html#

 

[White Rider 10+ year member]

Amps just don't have ohm switches. Its all about wiring. Heres how i think of it. The better and more efficient you wire them the less ohms and more power.
I'm sure someone can explain it way better than i can. Thats an easy way to understand it.

So you mean by using....say 4 guage wire you could run more power than 16 guage wire? Or is there different ways to wire that make a big difference in the power?

 

[qtipextra 5,000+ posts]

So you mean by using....say 4 guage wire you could run more power than 16 guage wire? Or is there different ways to wire that make a big difference in the power?

No, he means by wiring the subs together. This has (for general purposes) nothing to do with the gauge of wire that you use.

Refer to what I posted above. This is what you will want to do.