Hey, I’m looking into getting my first system put together. I just got 2 420 watt subs (12 in) from my uncle that he had laying around. I’ve got a good pioneer head unit already along with decent polk speakers.
So…all i still need is the amp, and I’ve been looking to see how much power I need.
I’ve been looking and comparing and noticed that Power Acoustik are much cheaper than some of the other stuff out there. Does anyone know how much of a difference I’d notice buying those compared to something like Sony or rockford?
Just looking for advice/recommendations, I’m not trying to go crazy with power, or winning base-off contests haha. Just want the music to sound crisp with a good thump in the car.
you need to take all the rms of each item your using, add them up and get a matching amp that has the same or higher rms. Im guessing your probably going to want to upgrade at one point, so i suggest to get something with more rms than what your subs are at now so that you dont need to get all new stuff but just subs.
max power is never the proper number to go with, rms is actual power of each company product.
youll find pioneer for example has a sub out there that is 600 watts, but actual 150rms. this exact sub, but different color and a little older, was set at 400 watts, it was also 150rms, just to give you an idea.
If you can, find the pre-out voltage of your headunit. It will make it much easier to match with the gain of your amp so you have the cleanest sound you can get. People tend to get an amp and just max pot it and think thats the way you get the best bang.
I would suggest something that has a brand name to it rather than a cheap chinese knock off. They tend to be more efficient and have a better sound than something cheap with cheap internals.
Obviously look for the RMS rating and not just “100000 WATTS OF BASS PUMPING POWER”
a watt is a watt. Any amp will work. What you’re paying for when you buy Pioneer, Rockford, JBL is three things: extra processing (better qual filters etc); reliability (better quality control & assembly); marketing.
Pick up a “D” or digital (not AB) mono or 2ch amp that’ll put 400-600 wrms into 2ohms, wire your subs in parrellel (to 2 ohms), and pick up an 8ga amp wire kit and make sure you make a good ground connection to bare metal on the chassis.
