Thread: 1 Amp or 2 ?
View Single Post
Old 07-12-2010, 04:19 PM   #12 (permalink)
Zuppy51
Base Member
 
Zuppy51's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 95
Drives: 2010 PG Nismo #414
Rep Power: 15
Zuppy51 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TROOPER View Post
I heard the Alpine PDX-5 is good, but not convinced 300w is really a lot to drive a 12" subwoofer.
Checked the sub specs you want to use at 2 ohm load for optimum watts. ( Rockford says: Power Handling 500 Watts RMS
1000 Watts Max)

I have a PDX 5 in my truck. It's driving a JL 12" Wedge box @ 2 ohms. JL Specs the optimum for my driver at 300w at 4 ohms or 600w at 2 ohms.

The PDX came with a bench test birth certificate, it reads 414w for the sub, and 114 for the fronts at 4 ohms. (Double the sub at a 2ohm load to 828w!

Edit: The Ohm rating is the resistance offered by the Sub. Most amplifiers are stable at 2 Ohms, and all are stable at 4. However, most amps are able to put out (roughly) double the power at 2 ohms, because there is "half" the resistance.

If you're going single sub, I recommend going with a 2 Ohm sub (or if it's dual voice coils, 4 ohms).

If you're going with two, I'd go with the 4 ohm (or if it's dual voice coil, 2ohms). The reason for this is because of how you wire them.
(There are 1 ohm stable amps out there, but they're typically only found in higher end amps).

I just used simple ohm's law to come up with that double output rating at 2 ohms. I would have to test it to be sure. But the math is pretty simple.

I have mine bridged for the fronts. Which make it 228w for r/l and sub mono at a 2 ohm load of 828 w for the sub...

It hits hard and clean, no noise, no issues at all. Very stable, never runs hot.

This is a killer little amp. I'm loving it, and you can hide it very easily.

I have a JL 900/5 in my 370z now, and I kind of regret spending the extra money. I cannot see the benefit.

BTW you can get the Alpine for 350 off the net with a warranty. I spent 3x on the JL 900/5, I'm regretting it big time.

Last edited by Zuppy51; 07-13-2010 at 02:01 AM.
Zuppy51 is offline   Reply With Quote