Ok to get more "amp" then you really need?

[Nelson9937955 10+ year member]

I was thinking would it smart to get more of an amp than you really need? For example, if you want 1000 rms but you get an amp that can do 1500 rms at whatever ohm you need?

You would then be able to keep gain down and not ever have to worry about clipping or taxing your electrical system too much. And then you would also have more upgrade room in the future if you upgrade your electrical or add some subs.

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[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Nothing wrong with buying more amp than your specific needs call for - just be certain that you don't hugely overshoot your needs.

You wouldn't want to get a DVC 2 Ohm sub that only needs 350w, wire the coils in parallel to make a 1 Ohm nominal load, and then run it off of....say, my monoblock. Even with the gains all the way down I would fear for a 350w RMS driver on my amp @ 1 Ohm...

But as far as your example there shouldn't be an issue with that at all. Nothing in the world wrong with both not working the amp as hard as it can (thereby extending equipment life from not taxing it as hard as you could) plus allowing for a bit of headroom. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

I was thinking would it smart to get more of an amp than you really need? For example, if you want 1000 rms but you get an amp that can do 1500 rms at whatever ohm you need?
You would then be able to keep gain down and not ever have to worry about clipping or taxing your electrical system too much. And then you would also have more upgrade room in the future if you upgrade your electrical or add some subs.

Yep, thats a good idea. Keep in mind however, that some amps don't match what there listed specs say, whether under or over rated.

 

[Orio5 10+ year member]

Yep, thats a good idea. Keep in mind however, that some amps don't match what there listed specs say, whether under or over rated.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif .......

 

[IgnoreMe 5,000+ posts]

nelson are you new to car audio?

if so, thank you for not being a stupid new guy.

the idea you posted is a good way to make sure everything will stay in proper order

 

[JonJT 10+ year member]

It is ok to overshoot. It will increase your overhead and allow you to push your speakers therman and mechanical power limits without having to deal with a clipping signal. I like to overpower all my audio equipment whenever possible. Just make sure you set your gains properly so you don't damage something.

 

[bass_lover1 10+ year member]

Yep, overhead is never a bad thing, unless you don't know how to properly use it.

My mid amp is capable of 250x2@4ohms and for a set of 7" mids, it can seem like a lot, but I know when to turn it down and where the limits of my drivers are.