How much power do I really need for a HT sub?

[budget76 10+ year member]

So, over thanksgiving break i'll be building a smaller HT sonotube. It'll be a single 10, about 4 cubes, tuned to about 25hz. I originally planned on a 500 watt from PE to have room to upgrade in the future, but I'm questioning how much I really need. It'll be in a dorm room now, then in my room back home which is a fair bit larger. I have seen most HT setups only have 100-200 watt amps for the subs. I'm just using a spare car audio sub for now, and it's only like 300 RMS.

So, is 250watts enough, or should I stop trying to save a buck and get the 500, and build multi-sonotubes for my bedroom?

thanks guys

Click to read more...

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

my rooms like 15x15 and i have 150 watts and its more than enough...amp gains are set like 1/4 of the way up

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

Honestly... if it's in your dorm, don't get it loud. Don't wanna get in trouble.

P.S. My Logitech computer speakers have a 140w sub and it's more than loud enough...

Infact, the sub settings and equalizer on my PC have to be turned down for the lower frequencies 'cause it wakes up my Mom...

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

oh whatup chris didnt even see it was you

 

[budget76 10+ year member]

oh whatup chris didnt even see it was you

thanks for the input, I realized I should get realistic here, 500 sounded like way too much.

Haven't been up to too much, a shitload of homework and that's about it. Still trying to get used to actually having work to do VS senior year of high school. How about you?

 

[93 saturn sl2 10+ year member]

My 12" Sony sub has 120 watts and is more than enough for my setup.

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

I have a Velodyne FSR-12 servo sub, and its a whopping 120w.

It has more than enough power.

It really depends on the sensitivity of the driver as to how much power it requires to be loud.

Stiff suspensions and 300 oz magnets are what makes current car subs need 1000w just to make a sound.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

home audio 100 rms is quite a bit, sure you can do more.

Ive heard a 500watt Vega series sub with a plate amp and it was nasty.

Almost to much bass

remember, this is your home sub, not 2 12's in a civic

 

[97gp 5,000+ posts]

Just get a flux capacitor.

 

[budget76 10+ year member]

thanks on the input guys, I may pick up a cheapie 100 watt one, and see how it sounds. I knew I didn't need near the power i've got in my car, but I have never dealt with HT before.

And the flux capacitor is powering my neonzzz, can't use it for my bazzzz:

and of course I missed the sale on partsexpress, they're back up to regular prices //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[budget76 10+ year member]

Well, just picked this up http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270278254452&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=017

Claims 400 max, I figure it's got to put out at least the 100 watts the PE one would that I could get for that price. Build up coming thanksgiving

 

[Fiercetimbo17 10+ year member]

i had 2 klipsch 500w subs and it was not too much for my bedroom which is about 15x30