Mono Amp + Subwoofer question

[AznAnarchy99]

Ok as of right now Im running two of these subs.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_2061CVR...nvpair=FFSize|[rank9]12%22

And this amp

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRXM...FFBrand|Alpine

I thinking about upgrading the amp to maybe

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRXM...FFBrand|Alpine

or

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_500PDXM...FFBrand|Alpine

I know the MRX is more of the budget line compared to the PDX, but Im wondering how much of a cleaner sound, if at all, would I get if I upgrade to one of those amps? Or is my amp right now more than enough for the two subs. I saw that the subs are rated at 400RMS so should I be looking at an amp with 800RMS or more?

Also is there any other way to check if the shop wired it correctly for 2 ohms besides unscrewing the sub from the enclosure itself?

 

[Beef Taco]

If each sub is rated at 400RMS and they're wired with a 2ohm load (I'm assuming), I would find an amp that puts out 800RMS at 2ohm. More than that can cause damage to the subs.

 

[Howard]

Don't bother. Even if you max out the amp's output, you're only going to get a 2dB increase in max SPL at best.

*assuming power ratings are accurate

To check how it's wired, just test the resistance between the + and - terminals. Lots of combinations in which they can be wired:

S(S, S) = 8 ohm nominal impedance, Re probably between 5-6 ohm
P(S, S) = 4 ohm nominal impedance, Re probably beween 2-4 ohm
S(P, P) = 2 ohm nominal impedance, Re probably between 1.25 to 1.5 ohm
P(P, P) = 0.5 ohm nominal impedance (very unlikely to be this option)

Other unlikely wiring setups:

P(S, P) = 0.8 ohm nominal impedance
S(S, P) = 5 ohm nominal impedance

Look up the T-S specs on the unit to be sure about what the Re actually is.

 

[TechBoyJK]

I would like to point out that for my components, I went from an Alpine MRX to a PDX and the different was night and day in SQ.

My MRX was 200x2rms and my 150x2rms PDX seriously gives me at least twice the volume and it sounds significantly better.

 

[Howard]

I would like to point out that for my components, I went from an Alpine MRX to a PDX and the different was night and day in SQ.

My MRX was 200x2rms and my 150x2rms PDX seriously gives me at least twice the volume and it sounds significantly better.

Bass is ridiculously tolerant of mediocre system design. I wouldn't think he would get a significant SQ increase in bass doing anything amplifier-related, especially in a car environment.

 

[hanoverphist]

Bass is ridiculously tolerant of mediocre system design. I wouldn't think he would get a significant SQ increase in bass doing anything amplifier-related, especially in a car environment.

unless the amp were having issues to make the SQ drop, or it were backyard engineered by a dumas :sneaky:

 

[TechBoyJK]

Bass is ridiculously tolerant of mediocre system design. I wouldn't think he would get a significant SQ increase in bass doing anything amplifier-related, especially in a car environment.

I would have to disagree. Then again, the difference may only be significant to someone who has a ear trained for it.

I must say though, that the 6.5" midbass in my components react completely different to my PDX than the previous amp. Louder, punchier, cleaner; significantly better.

I also think that subs, and how you percieve the effect on SQ according to the quality of amp, may also be highly dependant on the music you are listening to.

Also.. if your subs suck, no amp is going to help them. I have somewhat high quality components so it's possible that they really brought out the sq difference in amps.

 

[kornphlake]

The drivers play a much larger part in sound quality than the amps, a sub driver with higher efficiency will give you more impact and volume than a new amp will and will most likely sound better at less than full volume.

Just my 2 cents but I'd put more money in the drivers and less in the amps.

 

[Howard]

I would have to disagree. Then again, the difference may only be significant to someone who has a ear trained for it.

I must say though, that the 6.5" midbass in my components react completely different to my PDX than the previous amp. Louder, punchier, cleaner; significantly better.

I also think that subs, and how you percieve the effect on SQ according to the quality of amp, may also be highly dependant on the music you are listening to.

Also.. if your subs suck, no amp is going to help them. I have somewhat high quality components so it's possible that they really brought out the sq difference in amps.

There's no way your subjective testing is at all accurate.