Overpowering?

 

Bronze Member
Username: Fatkid

tonawada, Ny

Post Number: 65
Registered: Dec-05
is it bad to overpower a sub by 100 wrms from the amp.
 

Gold Member
Username: Logan__tille

Orion 1200D For Sale, Hit me up

Post Number: 3808
Registered: Feb-06
What sub?
 

Gold Member
Username: Ctmike

Ct.

Post Number: 2796
Registered: Feb-06
no, unless you're talking of complete crap brands.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Fatkid

tonawada, Ny

Post Number: 66
Registered: Dec-05
infinity subs i have a 400wrms amp and the subs are 300wrms
 

Gold Member
Username: Ctmike

Ct.

Post Number: 2797
Registered: Feb-06
you'll be fine.
 

Gold Member
Username: Mixneffect

Orangevale, Ca. USA

Post Number: 1317
Registered: Apr-05
Rule of thumb is to get an amp that puts out between 10-20% more power than your speakers, so that your amp will not be driven to max volume when your speakers reach max volume.

The left over power (10-20%) is called headroom. This way your amp will run cool and deliver cleanly. :-)

So to answer your question;

"is it bad to overpower a sub by 100 wrms from the amp?"

The answer is yes.

There is no set amount as to what you should go over. Its a percentage. It is a percentage because it fits better this way.

By the way;

Headroom is intended to safekeep the amp. It is not intended to overpush your speakers into distortion, even if it gets louder.
 

Gold Member
Username: Mixneffect

Orangevale, Ca. USA

Post Number: 1318
Registered: Apr-05
300 watts RMS plus 10-20% = 330-360 Watts RMS.

400 watts is too much, but since you may not find an amp that fits your setup, you may have to just WATCH your volume button. Just dont go past the point where you overpush your subs into overextention or distortion.
 

Gold Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 1092
Registered: Mar-04
you can safely run a 1000w amp on a 100w speaker if you just make an adjustment with the gain.
400w driving a 300w speaker will only be trouble if you want it to be.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Fatkid

tonawada, Ny

Post Number: 76
Registered: Dec-05
how would i set the gain then
 

Gold Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 1096
Registered: Mar-04
To do it the "right" way you have to download some test tones, burn them to disk, and measure the voltage (with a DMM) at the amp outputs while adjusting the gain. Takes a few minutes of prep, and a few minutes to do.

But 300/400 isn't a major issue. If you'd rather you can probably set it by ear and be fine.
Just turn the gain way down, set the LPF to around 80 hz, put in a CD you like that has some bass and turn the HU to 3/4 volume (or as high as you would ever have it). Slowly increase the gain until the subs don't sound right, then back it off a few degrees.

That's the easiest way to do it.
Always be aware if you hear the subs sounding unusual and turn the volume down.

BTW - are you running 400w to EACH sub, or to BOTH (200w a piece)??
 

Bronze Member
Username: Fatkid

tonawada, Ny

Post Number: 78
Registered: Dec-05
400w to each
 

New member
Username: Equakeph

Mansfield, OH USA

Post Number: 4
Registered: Dec-06
so when i get the earthquake ph5000 and run it to my 2 polk momos 800 watt peak.. should i have gain completely all the way down?
 

Gold Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 1098
Registered: Mar-04
"so when i get the earthquake ph5000 and run it to my 2 polk momos 800 watt peak.. should i have gain completely all the way down?"

Dvc 4's or svc 4's?
If they're dvc 4's at 4 ohms you'll probably want the gain at min and be careful with the volume.

If they're SVC 4's you'll definitely want the gain at min and baby the volume as much as possible.
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