Min power you run to a sub?

[The Camry]

Obviously much of it is car/sub/enclosure specific but im curious as to what the minimum amount of power you would run to one sub and still consider it to be worth while. I ask for two reasons.

1.Because im designing a system for someone that would never bother to lower the volume at stop lights or monitor their voltage and thus im afraid if i installed a 1k sub amp and 120rms 4 channel. They'd park and pound at idle and fry the the amps. I am trying to be safe here and build an SQ system that can still get loud enough that it can play an EDM/Dubstep song with authority.

2. Ive seen many many 5 channel amps that will say something like 2-500rms on their 5th channel and i just cant bring myself to really believe thats enough power(especially after rise) to have a great substage. I have next to no experience in a car with a lower powered sub

I know alot of you consider what i run (1k) to be low powered, you bass heads you..

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[hispls 5,000+ posts]

We did 142 and change dB with a single 15 and JL 500/1 amp in a Volvo wagon. Plenty of people think their 500-600W sub stage is loud.

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

My 600 watt, sealed sub stage still rattles my truck pretty good.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

just get proper power and set gains in a way that he can never destroy his stuff even at max boosts. When dealing with people like that, its better to do a super SPL setup to where they tap out before the speakers.

 

[supra1987]

What type of vehicle and what type of enclosure do you plan on using?