confused on what amp id need

[hky001 10+ year member]

i havent decided for sure what sub i want to get yet, but im still confused as to what amp id need to get. for example if i find a sub that is rated at 250 RMS then i am looking for an amp that puts out 250W RMS. ive been looking on ebay and when i find an amp i like, i cant seem to find out the wattage or whatever. for example, this amp http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18797&item=5714310899&rd=1

and what does this mean:

Output Power Rating

4 Ohm Load - 150 x 1

2 Ohm Load - 250 x 1

1 Ohm Load - 500 x

thanks a lot

Click to read more...

 

[Norcalracer283 10+ year member]

Ok, that is your RMS power...which is the important wattage rating. Max means nothing. As for ohm loads... depending on what sub you get and how you wire determines what ohm load you get out of the amp. Someone can link you to the wiring thread if that helps. If your looking to put 250 to a sub...hmmm i dont want to advise you on a sub. But i will tell you now, that amp is good. Very versatile, 1 ohm stable.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Don't buy an amp yet.....wait till you know for sure what sub you are going to buy. You may buy a sub that won't work with well with the amp you previously purchased or you could be limiting your sub selection to only subs that will work with your amp instead of buying an amp to match the sub you want (maybe you can't get the power out of it you want due to the ohm loads, etc etc).

So, IMO wait till you know which sub before you buy an amp.