How do I know what kind of amp and the watts needed for the new subs?

[Bm96]

I'm thinking about purchasing a new sub enclosure with two 12"s or two 10"s. I know nothing about car audio and I need help deciding if I need to get a new amp installed because right now I have a 500watt Alpine amp (mrv-m500). Thanks

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[bmk6795 10+ year member]

if you want it louder get a bigger amp, if not keep yours and get a pair of 250 watt subs

 

[Bm96]

if you want it louder get a bigger amp, if not keep yours and get a pair of 250 watt subs

If I want these subs, should I get a bigger amp and what do you recommend to power them with no problem? Maybe a 1000 or 2000watt amp? because the amp I have now is only 500W (Alpine MRV-M500). I want to order them soon and just need fast feedback. Thanks for replying!

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

it depends how loud do you really want it. Those subs you listed will give a little bump and fill out your music with some bass. If you want ear bleeding bass, your going to need different subs with a good custom enclosure and more power wont hurt.

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

Just keep in mind if you decide to go much over 1000w, you will need electrical upgrades. A stout battery up front and one in the back near the amp, good wire, and big three should be good for up to 1800w.

 

[Bm96]

it depends how loud do you really want it. Those subs you listed will give a little bump and fill out your music with some bass. If you want ear bleeding bass, your going to need different subs with a good custom enclosure and more power wont hurt.

Yes. That's what I want, more bass, but if I remove my old Polk Audio 12" sub and plug them into this: Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.. Will it be able to handle with no problem? I'm reading here that the RMS Watts are 200-400 for the subs, so will my 500W alpine do the trick? I'm going to be playing them relatively a lot during the day so there not just for the radio or anything, I just don't want anything blowing up. Thanks for the reply's again.
Here's a link on my current Polk sub that's hooked up to the 500W Alpine amp: http://www.polkaudio.com/products/dxi1201

^It says this for Power Handling on my current sub:

Continuous 360 watts

Peak 720 watts

 

[rfluvinmf 10+ year member]

What 2 subs are you gonna order with the enclosure? A link would be nice.

 

[Bm96]

What 2 subs are you gonna order with the enclosure? A link would be nice.

I linked it before here they are:http://www.mtx.com/_mtx+mobile+dual+12+2+937+sealed+800w+peak+subwoofer+enclosure_no-tne212d_31/b

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

then it should be fine with your amp, nothings going to blow if you set your gains right and check to see your voltages and how warm/hot your equipment gets regularly.

 

[Bm96]

then it should be fine with your amp, nothings going to blow if you set your gains right and check to see your voltages and how warm/hot your equipment gets regularly.

Ok so it should be fine? and the new subs are going to sound louder right, maybe twice as much bass as the 12" in my trunk now? that would be great
I'm not too educated on what the settings should look like (I got it installed for me) but I'm going to post a pic of the amp's settings when I get my car back, and hopefully you can help me adjust them!

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Ok so it should be fine? and the new subs are going to sound louder right, maybe twice as much bass as the 12" in my trunk now? that would be great
I'm not too educated on what the settings should look like (I got it installed for me) but I'm going to post a pic of the amp's settings when I get my car back, and hopefully you can help me adjust them!

Your not going to get twice as much bass with this upgrade man. Your current polk sub is in a ported box right? The new MTX subs are in a sealed box. Ported is louder than sealed. Your going to get more cone area and only 40 rms of power handling extra but its in a sealed box... its barely going to be an audible difference in loudness.

Whats your budget?

 

[DoesDad 10+ year member]

^^^Beat me to it... LOL!

The Polk you're running right now is in a ported box, although probably tuned too high and too small for the sub. The MTX setup you're looking at is a sealed enclosure. Not going to really make a huge difference. If you want considerably more output why not look at a decent 15" with a custom ported box? If you have room for 2 12's you've got room for 1 15.

 

[Bm96]

Your not going to get twice as much bass with this upgrade man. Your current polk sub is in a ported box right? The new MTX subs are in a sealed box. Ported is louder than sealed. Your going to get more cone area and only 40 rms of power handling extra but its in a sealed box... its barely going to be an audible difference in loudness.
Whats your budget?

Wow, okay. That makes a lot of sense. I'm also reading this article which verifies that you're correct Sealed or Ported: the Differences in Subs and Enclosures

I just did some snooping around the Crutchfield.com site after you guys just mentioned ported boxes sound louder, and I found these!!! They're ported! : (MTX RTL12X2D) MTX RTL12X2D Ported enclosure with dual 12" Road Thunder subwoofers at Crutchfield.com I'm looking for subs that are less than $350, so I can have louder bass and still be able to use my current amp with it.

Another link for them : http://www.amazon.com/MTX-RTL12X2D-Thunder-Subwoofer-Enclosure/dp/B005LTNTNK

Get these instead??

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

I wouldn't, they aren't worth the money. Neither are kicker comps. When it comes to ported boxes, don't buy a prefab unless its sealed. Prefab ported boxes are tuned high and lack proper port area and space. Custom ported boxes are what makes your subs louder. Your amp is only 2 ohm stable, so you will need single 4 ohm subs or dual 2 ohm subs to get the most out of it. How much space are you working with? I wouldn't order from crutchfield their prices are sky high most of the time. You may not want to go this route, but I had a single Qpower deluxe 15" in 2.5 sealed with polyfill on that same amp and it was plenty for a small car with good low end extension and only cost around $120 for sub and box...

 

[Bm96]

I wouldn't, they aren't worth the money. Neither are kicker comps. When it comes to ported boxes, don't buy a prefab unless its sealed. Prefab ported boxes are tuned high and lack proper port area and space. Custom ported boxes are what makes your subs louder. Your amp is only 2 ohm stable, so you will need single 4 ohm subs or dual 2 ohm subs to get the most out of it. How much space are you working with? I wouldn't order from crutchfield their prices are sky high most of the time. You may not want to go this route, but I had a single Qpower deluxe 15" in 2.5 sealed with polyfill on that same amp and it was plenty for a small car with good low end extension and only cost around $120 for sub and box...

What do you mean by "prefab" box? I thought you said ported will be better? Also I don't have any space (I don't live in a house) to make my own box. I'm honestly not running on a lot of trunk space either, and I don't think the height of a 15" in a box will fit under the ceiling of my trunk. I own a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer.