Underpowering a sub

[audionewb 10+ year member]

What happens if you under power a sub? I want to put in Alpine R or X series components, and in my car with S or R series coaxials in the rear. For a sub, I am thinking either an R or X series 10". I wanted to use the 5 channel Alpine 450 and keep it a one amp setup, but the sub out is only 200 watts rms. Would that be a problem for the R? the X? I am going for SQ and want a great clear sound, not slamming bass.

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

What happens?

Nothing. It plays //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

You only run into problems if you send it a clipped signal...

 

[audionewb 10+ year member]

I was kind of digging that amp, although I am not set on anything. The reason I ask is that I understand the the X series is the better sound quality sub out of the two, but do i only get the full potential if I send it 1000 watts RMS?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MWWjfS2VCny/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=500MRVF450

 

[audionewb 10+ year member]

For an SQ setup, you probably won't need 1000 watts to get adequate volume out of it. Especially if you use a more efficient enclosure (low Q sealed enclosure, for example).

I would probably just by some prefab box like Qlogic. I am a total newb and wouldn't be able to build anything. I just want a small, sealed 1X10" Would I be better off with the X or the R for what I need?

 

[brandontw 10+ year member]

I am buying a type X but I have been told several times so far that if I want to get its full potential, to give it 1000 RMS, so I will give it its full 1000RMS. But if you are only going to have 200 watts to give, there is no use doubling your cost for your sub and buying a sub with 5 times more power handling than the power you have to give it.(type x) The type R is a very solid woofer, and I’m sure you would be pleased with it. But if you only are going to give it 200RMS you still will be under powering it, as it is a 500w rms subwoofer. My friend has a Type R on a profile amp, I think he is giving it 400rms and it sounds very nice, we have it in a small sealed enclosure. I know you like the amp you have listed there, but if I may make a suggestion, you should consider this amp:

http://ikesound.com/product-product_id/2657

and pair it with this sub:

http://ikesound.com/product-product_id/3502

if you went with this option, you would have 75 watts x4 for your speakers at 4 ohm, then you would have 600 watts x1@1ohm for your subwoofer, the type R would be happy with 600RMS, even though it says only 500rms, this will help you avoid clipping from the amp as well.

PS: If you want to stick with an all alpine system, you may want to consider 2 amps.

 

[Hook Me Up 10+ year member]

i would go for the type r if your only giving it 200w rms because of the money you will save as brandon posted earlier, but i have still heard that the type r sounds a lot better then the type x, thats just what i have heard though, never seen the two my self

 

[audionewb 10+ year member]

I don't want a refurbished amp. Also, I heard that Ikesound is no good. Is that true. I would prefer to stay all Alpine, since I use the CDA 9833 head and I understand that there amps have some features that work with these heads. I could just get a 4 channel and a separate sub amp, but I am not looking for a booming system, just something that sounds good.

 

[Hook Me Up 10+ year member]

i would get the kenwood kac 9152d mono channel amp that puts out 900w rms at 2 ohms or if u get the 4 ohm sub, then it puts out 500w rms, i beleive a perfect addition to your system!

 

[audionewb 10+ year member]

I am also not necessarily set on this setup either. I am flexible. What do you think of this?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MWWjfS2VCny/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=208250&I=700RAPW12

 

[brandontw 10+ year member]

I am also not necessarily set on this setup either. I am flexible. What do you think of this?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MWWjfS2VCny/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=208250&I=700RAPW12

That acually looks like it might be pretty decent, and not a bad price either for mbquart. They make some of the best sounding stuff out there IMO. Do some searches on this forum for that sub to see what other people think of it.

 

[mazdakid 5,000+ posts]

why not just get some good midbass since you dont want pounding bass, 200 watts should be good for some 8's

 

[audionewb 10+ year member]

I don't understand?

 

[brandontw 10+ year member]

If you are really interested in 5 channel amps here are some ideas:

http://www.thezeb.com/p-Kicker-KX-Series-KX700.5-106378.htm

http://ikesound.com/product-product_id/3289

http://ikesound.com/product-product_id/2281

http://cgi.ebay.com/HIFONICS-ZX8000-5-Channel-Amplifier-Subwoofer-Amp-New_W0QQitemZ5808938246QQcategoryZ4950QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/JL-AUDIO-500-5-NEW-Amplifier-Amp-5-Channel-500W-RMS-NEW_W0QQitemZ5810545695QQcategoryZ4950QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i dont really know your budget, so i put a selection down.

 

[brandontw 10+ year member]

I don't understand?

he is talking about mabye skipping the dedicated subwoofer and intergrating some 8 inch woofers in as your midbass

 

[audionewb 10+ year member]

I thought my midbass would be taken care of with the Type R or X components? Also, none of the amps that you listed have 1000watts going to the sub anyway, I think the highest was 4XX watts at 2ohm? If that is the case, why not stick with the Alpine that I had picked? Also, how are these companies, the zeb, ikesound...they get TERRIBLE ratings on resellerratings.