Can my amp put out more than 300 watts?

[ztkraptor 10+ year member]

Ok,

I have an amp that supposivly is supposed to put out 300 watts at 2 ohms.

I have an IA 187 12 inch that at 2 ohms is a 300RMS watt sub.

I used to turn the gain up and just blast it shook my car like mad, was sweet.

Then I figured today, I would put it at its proper level.

if math is right.

Sqrt(300*2) = 24.5volts

So, why so low?

I bet i had it at like 30 volts before.

Also, if it was running at like 30 volts, how can my amp which is supposed to only put out 300 watts able to push that much voltage?

Please explain, and also explain if i can turn up my amp more. The sub isn't nearly as loud as it was before //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

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[7ender 10+ year member]

What amp?

Unless it's something high quality...you are more than likely clipping the signal sending that much over 300.

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

Amps are capable of outputting more power on a clipped signal.

Of course this will eventually lead to driver failure depending on your sub/box.

 

[vellocet 10+ year member]

I'm confused by the question. If your just setting gains, you should be able to listin for distortion by ear. As long as your amp isn't clipping, you should be fine. If you want more dbs with gains set properly perhaps another box or another sub stage is in order.

 

[ztkraptor 10+ year member]

Well my amp is an this

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cd8RFeScFZv/p_108R5350A/Infinity-Reference-5350a.html

Now,

I should turn down the bass boost and unplug the bass control from the camp as well?

Will turning up the bass boost not increase the wattage going to the sub?

I tuned this with the boost on the amplifier all the way up, but started with the gains down.

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

I'm confused by the question. If your just setting gains, you should be able to listin for distortion by ear. As long as your amp isn't clipping, you should be fine. If you want more dbs with gains set properly perhaps another box or another sub stage is in order.

BS, you can't set your sub gains by ear and trust it. By the time you actually distinguish distortion in the sub region, it is way past any reasonable amount. If you aren't doing it with a DMM, then you aren't doing it right.

 

[ztkraptor 10+ year member]

I'm confused by the question. If your just setting gains, you should be able to listin for distortion by ear. As long as your amp isn't clipping, you should be fine. If you want more dbs with gains set properly perhaps another box or another sub stage is in order.

How do you hear distortion with the car vibrating?

but ne way, if anyone can confirm that thats as far as i can push this sub please let me know.

Like can i not put any bass boost on it once i set the voltage?

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

Oscope for true square wave detection, DMM is a must to set the voltage proper to match your HU voltage to your input sensitivity on the amplifier.

By ear is being lazy or not having the proper tools.

 

[t1990le 10+ year member]

How do you hear distortion with the car vibrating?
but ne way, if anyone can confirm that thats as far as i can push this sub please let me know.

Like can i not put any bass boost on it once i set the voltage?

your best bet would be to buy another 187 and get a rd 550.1 or a kicker zx500.1 something like that with a proper built box will give you the bass that you desire and you wont worry about clippin you subs as long as your setting it correctly.

 

[ztkraptor 10+ year member]

your best bet would be to buy another 187 and get a rd 550.1 or a kicker zx500.1 something like that with a proper built box will give you the bass that you desire and you wont worry about clippin you subs as long as your setting it correctly.

I see,

well the box is properly setup for this sub.

I mean it sounds really good, but not as loud as when i did it by ear.

My gain on the amp is not even at the half way point.

I just don't get why or how it puts out that much power without the gain being up, even tho it is only rated at 300rms.

This is what is confusing me.

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

BS, you can't set your sub gains by ear and trust it. By the time you actually distinguish distortion in the sub region, it is way past any reasonable amount. If you aren't doing it with a DMM, then you aren't doing it right.

I have a good ear, i CAN set it right.

 

[ztkraptor 10+ year member]

I have a good ear, i CAN set it right.

Please don't hijack the thread.

I don't know what kind of ears you have, but they are awesome bc With my mirrors shacking, my trunk lid buzzing, i can't distinguish it.

 

[microhaxo 10+ year member]

No one can set it right by ear perfectly.

Also is your sub a dual 2 ohm sub? If so you cant even run it at 2 ohms anyway.

Safe way to do this is to run a -3db tone and set the amp at 24v. You dont want to run any 0db tones or you will go over 300w and clip or possibly damage the sub if you set it up this way.

 

[ztkraptor 10+ year member]

No one can set it right by ear perfectly.
Also is your sub a dual 2 ohm sub? If so you cant even run it at 2 ohms anyway.

Safe way to do this is to run a -3db tone and set the amp at 24v. You dont want to run any 0db tones or you will go over 300w and clip or possibly damage the sub if you set it up this way.

Sub is dual 4 ohm, im running it to the amp at 2 ohms.

I checked the resistance with the DMM as well.

Between 1.7 and 2.2

it eventually evened out at like 1.9ish to 2.1 but ne way.

I just don't understand.

What exactly causes clipping. The sub quality? or what?

Because I have read ppl putting 500 watts though this sub for a year and it was fine.

Now if i would do that with my amp...like i don't get how i could bc the amp is rated for 300 watts. But i know that the gain goes up to like 40 volts.(from the DMM) I know with a load on it it will prob stress the amp alot eh?

ugh.

 

[lolumad over 10+ year member]

I have a good ear, i CAN set it right.

No you can't, not by ear.