Subs, what amp? Best way to wire? Im a noob. Help :)

[Dbcrutch]

Alright everyone. Sorry if I put this in the wrong place. I'm new to this audio thing and have tons of questions. First off my subs are 2 Memphis power reference 12s. I've read enough to know they are SVC and I'm pretty sure 2 or 4 ohm. I built a custom box for my truck based on the cubic feet they need according to the Memphis website. The info that came with my subs is long gone. My question revolves around an amp and wiring. The subs are 250 rms and 500 Max. That being said I have no idea what amp to buy or how to wire them. I've done a lot of reading but the parallel not parallel and ohm talk and althat confuses me blecause Im not sure exactly what its referring to. I'm on a modest budget which is why im struggling through this myself instead of just paying someone to do it. Any insight on a good, decent priced amp and the best way to wire these subs from amp to sub would be awesome. Thanks a ton!

Jake

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[quackhead 10+ year member]

If you know they are SVC, then they are 4 ohms The PR's are either S4's or D4's...I like the PR subs. I ran 4 Memphis PR 124 svc 12's on a Brutus 1200 for a little while before going to two 15's. You need @500watts at 2 ohms.What actual budget do you have in mind? $150 - $225 for a decent 500 - 700watts @2ohms.

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

Just some ideas of what and where some stuff is available online new that will get you close to what you need at 2ohms rated power.

Newegg.com - SOUNDSTREAM RUB1.700 700W Mono Amplifier

Newegg.com - SOUNDSTREAM STL1.1200D 1200W Mono Amplifier

Newegg.com - AUDIOPIPE APSM-1300 2000W MONO Car Audio MINI Amplifier

AQ750 Amplifier

MB Quart ONX1.1000D - ONYX Class D Monoblock Car Amplifier/Amp

Precision Power P1000.1 (p10001) Monoblock Phantom Car Amplifier

Hifonics GLX1000.1D 1000W RMS Class D Monoblock Gladiator Amp

 

[Dbcrutch]

Hey, thanks for the replies. And about 200 would be my budget.

 

[Dbcrutch]

How does the output of the amp breakdown when on 2 subs. For example the 450W x 1 at 4 ohms breaks down to 225 at each sub?

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

You have two 4 ohm subs when you wire both subs to one channel (monoblock amp), the amp will "SEE" a 2ohm load. Think of your subs as resistors with a 4 ohm resistance each. When you wire the positive (+) and the negative (-) of both subs to the positive (+) and negative(-) outputs on the amp, you have HALVED the load (ohm resistance) presented to the amp . 4 ohms / 2 = 2 ohms

If you look at the amps I posted, most of them show @700 watts rms at 2 ohms. This is because your subs are rated for 250 watts rms. (500w rms for the pair) The amps I showed are rated at 14.4v This means anything less (like 13.8v), the amp will make a little less power, and some are slightly overrated too. Whereas if you buy ONLY 500 watts realistically, you will only be using MAYBE 200 - 300 watts total power on a continuous average with music. By buying a little more power, say @ 700 watts rms, you will have enough system headroom to keep the system continuous average up around 400 - 500 watts, which would allow you to get the maximum benefit out of your system. This will also allow you to get the most without clipping the signal. It is always better to maintain control over a little bit too much power, than to be trying to prevent clipping from a little bit less power. I ran the first 2 PR's I bought off of 900 watts rms at 2ohms, with just a little bit of conservation on the amp gain until I got 2 more and ran all 4 at 1ohm and 1200 watts.