Amp and Sub power matching help!

[Si]

I am going to be upgrading my current sub and amp very soon (JL e2150 amp and JL 10W0 sub currently).

Ideally I want 2 x JL Audio 10W3v2 Subs. But will probs end up getting just the one for now and another in the new year.

SUB
http://www.cel-direct.com/pics/JL/10w3v2.jpg

AMP
http://www.cel-direct.com/pics/jl/e1400D.jpg


The problem I am having it what amp can I run this sub off? Sticking with the JL setup I was looking at the JL e1400D mono block which has:

Rated Power:
240 W RMS x 1 @ 4 ohm (12.5V);
400 W RMS x 1 @ 2 ohm (12.5V)
http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/e1400.html

The subs power:
Continuous Power Handling: 300 Watts
http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/10w3v2.html


So I need to to get as close as I can to 300 Watts so would that mono block be alrite do you think? And would I be able to run another similar sub off this same amp in the future without any problems?

Please help, I am not that good with all this ICE stuff just know when it sounds good ;)

Also do you know any other good deals on amps that i could use?? I am 100% I want those subs but not really bothered I have a JL amp this time although it would be nice.

[kev_corsa]

hey Si,

Right, the 10W3v2 is a dual voicecoil sub and each coil has an impedance of 4 ohms. If you wire the coils in a parallel configuration you will end up with an impedance of 2ohms.

Its usually better to do this because you will load (draw current from) your amp more and more loading = more power.

Because the 10W3v2 has a power rating of 300W RMS you should be looking at an amp which is AT LEAST 300W RMS (not as close to as possible like u said above). This ensures you have plenty of power for the sub as they are most efficient (and sound better) when running at continuous power.

At the end of the day, if you have an amp which has a lower RMS power rating than your sub you will end up with 'distortion' or 'clipping' and this is when the output of the amp is trying too push out more power than it can handle and you will end up with a clipped output like this:

http://www2.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/Graphics/Peak_Clipping.gif

You will also notice that with most of the better car audio manufacturers (eg. JL) way under rate their subs with regard to their RMS power rating. Take my Alpines for example - rated at 300W RMS but I can put loads more power than that through them (amps are 500W RMS).

So, as for the amp you're thinking about, it seems fine for the sub you want to run because the power rating is 400W RMS (100W RMS greater than the sub) and thats just at 12.5V! When your engines running you battery voltage will be more like 14.3-14.4V so you will have plenty more than 400W RMS.

But, on a seperate note, you say "would it run a similar sub in the future" - you couldnt tell until you actually knew what the other sub was (spec wise).

Hope this helps you mate and hope it gives you a bit more understanding about ICE :)

[johnny 5]

i dont see anything wrong with that setup. make sure u wire it all up correctly thats all,as the subs are dual voicecoil. if you run the setup at 2 ohm,each sub will be runnung at approx 200w rms at full power. at least at this rate u know u will not blow the subs. depends if ur gonna run the system at full power very often,i mean if u have the gain on max and the volume on full obviously u are a bass head - get a more powerful amp! otherwise i think this setup will be fine.

yes mono amps are the most versatile amps around for running subwoofers. you will be able to run the majority of the better subs with that amp.

[smacke]

I thought you could only run one sub off a monoblock amp :?: Don't know much about ice myself.

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/old_images/amps/mrpm350.gif

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/old_images/speakers/r10.jpg

I curently have the set up above, so could i run another sub on a monoblock amp ?

Sorry for hi-jacking Si :)

[Si]

Nice one Kev, I have a bit of a better idea of whats going on now. By the looks of things I am going to have to have an amp for each sub to get the best performance from my subs.

I think I'll be going for one 10W3v2 and that e1400 mono block. Then maybe get another 10W3v2 with its own e1400 or something like this anyway.

[Si]

This is the setup I'd love..
http://www.cel-direct.com/shop1.asp?s_page=ampselect.asp

Just costs quite a bit all in one go, cant afford £700 in one go.

[kev_corsa]

no problem, yeh u would definatly need one for each sub, doesnt do any harm to build it up slowly - keeps your interest more and gives you something to aim towards :)

[Si]

Change of plan ;)

Getting 2 x 12W3's now instead of 10" subs! Think I am going to be getting my new setup in stages. Ordering the subs and box hopefully in a week or so.

Then getting JL 250/1 monoblock amp after subs.

Keeping my current 1 farad power cap, but need a new power kit (4 grade) and RCA's and as I want the best just the power kit and RCA stuff costs £218!!

[minnnt]

JL stuff is quality!! i have got two 10W0 and they are brill! i love em! :D

[Chaz]

thought this might interest u si?!

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=298&sort=1&cat=6&page=1 ;)

[Chaz]

and this?!

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=331&sort=1&cat=4&page=2

[Chaz]

i make that £485 for two JL 12w3's and a JL Audio 500/1 :thumbs:

[Si]

Thats what I need! Have you used this site before? I am not 100% sure I'd pay all that cash to someone I dont even know. But that is cheap.

[Chaz]

never bought anything, its just a forums!


they do get given a traders rating tho, so you can see previos transactions :)

[ultim8DTM5]

I think you will be happy with the e1400 and the W3v2 setup Si.

Good luck

[spida_singh]

Si, the talkaudio forum is the message board for www.caraudiodirect.co.uk

They are very reliable IMO,i have been on that board for a while,very helpfull guys there, as for the reccomendation, it all depends on what subs you get first,if using more than one DVC sub, your wiring will change to show different loads to the amp, have you actually bought the subs yet?

Cheers

Sundeep. :D

[Si]

^ havent bought the subs just yet. But I will have in a couple of weeks.

[Si]

Right paid half of the costs for my 2 x 12W3's and the twin box today :D And also kind of sorted out my amp ish. Won't be a few weeks still until it all comes together though.

[ultim8DTM5]

Yeah but the waiting game is the hardest part, although in the end it will be more than worth it!