Power Distribution

[CplCuddles]

Hey guys, I plan on getting 2 12" Zv4s. Now, my question is, How are the watts distributed with my amp if I were to get a mono amp? Zv4s are DVC and they only come in D-1 and D-2. So if I used a SAZ-5000D which puts 5000@1ohm/2600@2ohm/1400@4 is there a way I can make it work? I can switch amps if necessary, but I'd prefer to stick with 1 amp. Not super versed on how this works. Thanks guys!

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[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

You could either go with the dual 2's giving you a 2 ohm wiring option and ~1300w each, or the dual 1's wiring for 1 to giving you the potential for 2500w each.

My guess is most here will tell you to go with the 1 ohm option.

Either way - you need to have a very strong electrical system starting with a high output alternator, and no real concern for your ability to hear.

 

[CplCuddles]

You could either go with the dual 2's giving you a 2 ohm wiring option and ~1300w each, or the dual 1's wiring for 1 to giving you the potential for 2500w each.My guess is most here will tell you to go with the 1 ohm option.

Either way - you need to have a very strong electrical system starting with a high output alternator, and no real concern for your ability to hear.

I talked with a friend into car audio, he suggested not overpowering since I'm gonna be using a ported box. He also suggest an amp with around 3500w, So I was thinking the Crescendo BC3500D to give some wiggle room. Then run the subs in parallel and the VCs on each in series with each other. Does this sound good?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Your friend is wrong. Ported has nothing to do with overpowering. The 5k like every other 5k does not put out 5k often. They will easily handle everything that amp has.

 

[CplCuddles]

Your friend is wrong. Ported has nothing to do with overpowering. The 5k like every other 5k does not put out 5k often. They will easily handle everything that amp has.

What he said almost verbatim, it's ok if your not gonna be playing it for longer than 45 minutes straight. Something similar anyhow, he works at the local car audio shop in town. He said basically you usually overpower when your using a smaller sealed box, and in my case use a big *** ported box on less power.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

the 3500 would be MORE than adequate power-wise, and slightly less stressful on your electrical system.

But if you're going big, the prevailing "wisdom" is to go huge.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

What he said almost verbatim, it's ok if your not gonna be playing it for longer than 45 minutes straight. Something similar anyhow, he works at the local car audio shop in town. He said basically you usually overpower when your using a smaller sealed box, and in my case use a big *** ported box on less power.

You should ask him why ported makes it different. You can gain efficiency going larger ported but it does not cut power handling as long as ratios are correct.

 

[CplCuddles]

the 3500 would be MORE than adequate power-wise, and slightly less stressful on your electrical system.But if you're going big, the prevailing "wisdom" is to go huge.

What difference to the system would running the 3500 as compared to running the 5k? I would assume at least more bass on the 5k right? Also this system is more for SQ than SPL.

 

[CplCuddles]

You should ask him why ported makes it different. You can gain efficiency going larger ported but it does not cut power handling as long as ratios are correct.

Like I said, its just a friend at a local shop. I live in Kansas, we ain't got crazy azz systems like places I've seen. They are the best shop in my town though, I've heard that with overpowering you usually go a smaller box. I personally haven't heard anything about ported vs sealed on the issue, but I'm not super experienced in Car Audio.. Not yet anyway //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif I don't know how much more they know than you or experienced guys on here, probably less if I had to guess, but they do know a lot more than me.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

At that level of power I don't know that it matters.

If your box is worth a crap you should be at a point that SPL is well into the ridiculous range either way, and the most possible difference you'd have would be

The stress on your wallet would be higher, and the the stress on your electrical system would be higher.

To get ~5000w FROM your electrical system it would have to be exceptional (and expensive), not that 3.5kw would allow for anything much smaller.

IMO once you reach a level of ridiculous I just don't see the point in further ridiculousness. ESPECIALLY considering SQ is even on the radar here, and somehow it sounds like it's more important to you than SPL -- which I find hard to believe.

As I'm typing this I keep SMH at the mention of SQ at this level of power. It's like choosing which muscle car to buy based on fuel economy.

The box size generalization is overstated IMO. Box size is more related to mechanical damage, and it would take a pretty severe mistake with enclosure design to damage those subs mechanically at anything in the vicinity of 1750w, and 2500's in that vicinity. Too much power will burn up a 3" voice coil though, regardless of box size.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

It's only ridiculous until you get used to it or ride with a friend that's more than a few Dbs higher.

I say stick them in 5 cubes and get the 5k. You can always back it down. Do it right the first time and you won't leave money on the table when you want more power. And you will eventually want more power.

 

[CplCuddles]

At that level of power I don't know that it matters.If your box is worth a crap you should be at a point that SPL is well into the ridiculous range either way, and the most possible difference you'd have would be

The stress on your wallet would be higher, and the the stress on your electrical system would be higher.

To get ~5000w FROM your electrical system it would have to be exceptional (and expensive), not that 3.5kw would allow for anything much smaller.

IMO once you reach a level of ridiculous I just don't see the point in further ridiculousness. ESPECIALLY considering SQ is even on the radar here, and somehow it sounds like it's more important to you than SPL -- which I find hard to believe.

As I'm typing this I keep SMH at the mention of SQ at this level of power. It's like choosing which muscle car to buy based on fuel economy.

The box size generalization is overstated IMO. Box size is more related to mechanical damage, and it would take a pretty severe mistake with enclosure design to damage those subs mechanically at anything in the vicinity of 1750w, and 2500's in that vicinity. Too much power will burn up a 3" voice coil though, regardless of box size.

When I say SQ I'm not meaning what someone as experienced as you would think of as a good SQ system obviously. I've heard higher lvl systems than mine, a lot of them have different kinds of bass in a way. I probably wouldn't know whether one system is more SQ than another unless it was blatantly obvious. I honestly didn't think 4-5k as a high level of power, It's more than I have ever ran, but it doesn't SEEM like that much, maybe I will change my mind once I get the system.

My electrical system is going to get a massive overhaul before I even BUY the subs/amps. Do you think in your honest opinion 2500/each is too much for these subs? I wouldn't think so, but like I said, I don't have the experience.

 

[CplCuddles]

It's only ridiculous until you get used to it or ride with a friend that's more than a few Dbs higher.I say stick them in 5 cubes and get the 5k. You can always back it down. Do it right the first time and you won't leave money on the table when you want more power. And you will eventually want more power.

Why the use of ridiculous so much? This isn't gonna be THAT crazy. Only talking about 2 12s not like 4-8 18s? I can do 5 cubes easily, I will prob get the 5k as well.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

Why the use of ridiculous so much? This isn't gonna be THAT crazy. Only talking about 2 12s not like 4-8 18s? I can do 5 cubes easily, I will prob get the 5k as well.

I think he was responding to my use of ridiculous -- it's sort of the nature of the hobby. I'm running 1500 and that seems close to ridiculous to me.

I don't think two zv4's are going to be threatened by 5kw if that's what you're asking.

 

[CplCuddles]

I think he was responding to my use of ridiculous -- it's sort of the nature of the hobby. I'm running 1500 and that seems close to ridiculous to me.I don't think two zv4's are going to be threatened by 5kw if that's what you're asking.

I WAS worried about putting 5k to them, but I have seen people run 3-4k each daily. I'm currently running 2 JL W3v3 12s one 1kw total, so this is a big step up. I just love bass, and I want a lot more. I do appreciate the help guys.