how to properly match a amps ratings to a subs ratings

[TERROR-TRON-74 10+ year member]

i want to learn how to properly, match up a amp to a sub, i belive to match up the rms wattage, is this correct. for example if my amp is 2000w rms, my sub has to be 2000w rms, is this correct ?

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[Slammed 5,000+ posts]

yes, you can say that.....but still be careful with the gains

match with your ear, volume from your h/u, gains etc.

you dont necessarily need to match them up perfectly (ex: amp can be 1k and sub can be 800 wrms)

BTW...more headroom = better //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[TRIGGER ARSENAL 10+ year member]

ok i understand. but if i wanted to be careful, and matched a 1000w amp with a 1200w sub, could that sub handle more power since it has a little bit more of power handling ? does a amp push out more than its rated to ? 1200w pushes 1400w or 1200w pushes 1200 w even ?

 

[vandiar2 10+ year member]

ok i understand. but if i wanted to be careful, and matched a 1000w amp with a 1200w sub, could that sub handle more power since it has a little bit more of power handling ? does a amp push out more than its rated to ? 1200w pushes 1400w or 1200w pushes 1200 w even ?

depends on the amp.. depends on the sub. for instance, the sundown that I have is "rated" for 1500 rms.. yet it puts out a good 1600ish rms (don't have the birth sheet). I have seen those IA DP handle WAY MORE than 1500 rms. it all depends my friend. just buy a good amp and puts out more power thatn your subs are rated for so you can have head room.

 

[Slammed 5,000+ posts]

many amps are underrated...and some are overrated

better to have more wattage than less

 

[TRIGGER ARSENAL 10+ year member]

is the hifonics 1200w brutus overrated, if its 1200w will it put out 1300w

does overated mean the box says it pushes 1200 but it really pushes 1300, and underated means the box says it pushes 1200 but it pushes 1100, i just want to make sure i understand !

 

[smoka 10+ year member]

overrated means its probably more like 900-1000w

 

[eharri3 10+ year member]

I beleive the concept of matching RMS ratings is an oversimplification geared towards those who don't understand how to find a speaker's true limits or how to effectively control an amplifier's power delivery. Just because an amp makes a certain amount of wattage more than what a speaker is rated for doesn't mean you have to deliver all of it, or that that speaker isn't capable of taking qutie a bit more than that during normal listening. IMHO you want the most power you can afford, worry about how much of it you'll actually send to the speakers later.