So I fried a subwoofer

[R2D2]

Long story short I replaced old alpine e12 sub and a dhd amp I bought 10+ yrs ago and I got the 2 items below. I got the sub first but I am thinking it wasn't strong enough to handle the amp or I just put 2 much power into it, but my settings were not that high ( or so I believe) so I am not sure if it could be some thing else. Its hooked up to a stock 2001 gs300 radio system and I control the bass with PAC bass knob and have it wired to a kicker L.O.C. in the rear stock sub.. my old system was fine up until last month when the e12 died of natural causes lol.

So here are the questions:

Did I use too much power?
Did I pair sub and amp incorrectly?
Improper Tuning?
Improper Wiring of Sub?

..ALL OF THE ABOVE..

SKAR AUDIO IX-12 D4

Sub was wired like this

Technical Specifications
Skar Audio IX-12 D4
Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coil Configuration
Peak Power: 500 Watts
RMS Power: 250 Watts
Pressed Paper Cone
Advanced Air Flow Cooling System
2" BASV High Temperature Copper Voice Coil
Motor Weight: 40 oz
Frequency Response: 25 - 300 Hz
Sensitivity: 88.1 dB


ALPINE MRV -M500

Gain was set at the notch below 1/2, lpf to 80, and bass eq to +3


Performance
RMS Power Output (Watts x Channels) 300 x 1
Peak Power Output (Watts x Channels) N/A
Power at 2 Ohms (Watts x Channels) 500 x 1
Bridged Power (Watts x Channels) N/A
Minimum Impedance Bridged N/A
Minimum Impedance Unbridged 2
Best Frequency Response 7-400 Hz
THD at Rated RMS Power 0.2%
Signal to Noise Ratio 85 dB
Input Voltage 14.4v
Features
Amplifier Class D
Low-Pass Crossover Frequency 50-400 Hz
Low-Pass Slope (dB/octave) 24 dB/octave
High-Pass Crossover Frequency N/A
High-Pass Slope (dB/octave) N/A
Bass Boost 0-12 dB
Bass Boost Frequency 50 Hz
Fan Cooled No
Fuse Rating 60

Click to read more...

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

Incorrect gain setting on amp lead to clipped signal which overheated the voice coil on a low grade sub.

Gain is not a volume knob, it is for matching signal strength.

Bass boost should never be used as well.

 

[R2D2]

Damn I figured it may have been the gain, so the wiring was correct to get the 2ohm load out correct? Can anyone recommend a 12" sub or a 10" that can go in the rear deck that would be able to handle the power?

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

SunDown are pretty had to beat for the money..

12" Subwoofers

WoofersEtc.com - The Online Car Audio Superstore, the Largest Selection at the Lowest Prices!

www.woofersetc.com

but you need to learn to set your gain right...

Amplifier Level Setting Guide

Note:The following article describes the Amplifier Level Setting process for most car audio amplifiers, regardless of brand. Specific target voltages for applicable JL Audio amplifiers are included...

jlaudio.zendesk.com

heres the tones.. https://www.realmofexcursion.com/downloads.htm

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

Damn I figured it may have been the gain, so the wiring was correct to get the 2ohm load out correct? Can anyone recommend a 12" sub or a 10" that can go in the rear deck that would be able to handle the power?

What are the measurements of your enclosure?And how thick is the wood? (1/2",5/8",3/4")?Ported or sealed?If Ported, @ what Htz?

 

[R2D2]

I know, I totally effed up the other one because of the gain

ut you need to learn to set your gain right...

 

[R2D2]

What are the measurements of your enclosure?And how thick is the wood? (1/2",5/8",3/4")?Ported or sealed?If Ported, @ what Htz?

its ported but that';s all I know, its an old box that use to house the old alpine e12's

 

[R2D2]

I do have a spare sealed box, would that be better to reduce the sub form bottoming out?

 

[R2D2]

i got it sorted out, thanks for the help.