Question about headroom?

[slapperz 10+ year member]

I heard before about something called headroom-having extra power avaliable "on tap" I was wondering if someone could elaborate on that as I have 2 12" subs rated at 300RMS each 600 total and Im planning on running them to my 900 watt RMS amp at 2ohms and I dont want to blow them.

Click to read more...

 

[gnatnoop 10+ year member]

from what i have read/ understand and i am extremely new at this.. it is having extra power you dont use so that the amp doesnt clip/ have to run at full power.. therefore, saving your amp and subs from distorting.. something along those lines.. Search!!

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Headroom is that space between your lap and the steering wheel so your girlfriend can work her magic while you are driving!

It could also be defined as having additional power on tap to reproduce the peaks during musical playback. Think of this additional, unused power as having money in the bank, you can never really have too much of either!

 

[slapperz 10+ year member]

lol Gunz...

So how would I go about using this "headroom" correctly? Keeping the volume on the HU at a certain level not to high or adjusting amp settings?

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

adjusting the gain and other settings on the amp. like buying a 1200 watt amp but set it to only use 900 or so

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

adjusting the gain and other settings on the amp. like buying a 1200 watt amp but set it to only use 900 or so

^^ what he said.

I have a Lunar L60x2 bridged to each door in my 97 Civic run passive. Each amplifier is capable of producing 280 watts RMS, but with the gain down, they only provide 140 watts RMS. I am sure they go above and beyond that during musical peaks, but, the CLEAN output is truly amazing.

Prior to the dual Lunars I was running a TIPS Modified Linear Power 150 to the components. That amp provided roughly 150 watts RMS per channel but could not hang with the additional headroom offered by running one amp to each door!

Heck, in the same car I have a 900 watt RMS 25 to Life Punch 150 powering a single Digital Designs 1508 with the gains a little low.