Comparing RMS ratings...

[SaturnScott 10+ year member]

I'm pushing a 12 " Pyle, 400RMS, with my Jensen amp, bridged, 350RMS.

Cranked right up, is this damaging my sub, and should it be distorting at higher volumes?

Should I get different sub with a higher RMS rating, or just keep my system down a bit?

Thanks.

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[natem33 10+ year member]

if you are hearing distortion at any volume then your Pyle will not last long at all. I know it's tempting to crank the gains up on the amp but keep them at 2/3 max, that is a safe level. A sub with a higher rms rating will not give you a dramatic improvement. The problem isn't so much with the sub, but with the quality of the signal being produced by the Jensen. If the Jensen is cranked up, then the sub will not receive a clean signal. A better amp will run the Pyle sub a little cleaner, but still beware of distortion/clipping.

 

[SaturnScott 10+ year member]

So a better-known amp with more power would drive my Pyle a lot cleaner?

I'm trying to spend the least amount of money... I mean, I can sell my Jensen (although I just got it), and save a bit more for another amp. Maybe. But I got it at a good deal, so...

 

[cyber256 10+ year member]

I had problems with a Jensen amp before...stick with higher quility amps and you'll be alright

 

[natem33 10+ year member]

If you cannot afford to buy a better amp there is nothing wrong with using your Jensen. You just cannot try to get more out of the amp than it is able to give. Jensen amps don't last long with the gains cranked up (neither will the Pyle) so just keep the gains at about 2/3 on the amp you should be fine.

 

[Phatillusion 5,000+ posts]

Also, cranking up the volume on the h/u, can lead to clipping/distortion, you will know when your sub is at it's limit. Sometimes if you notice, your sub will play a little louder, you turn the volume up and it seems like it's not as loud, it's because the sub is getting a clipped signal.