I am wondering about the effect of underpowering subs more then over powering... i know overpowering sub can blow them but what those underpowering do? will it damage the sub in any way? or will it just not sounds *** loud and clear?

the things is that i have 2 infinity kappa 10" push by (1000 rms at 2ohms and 500 at 4ohms) the Alpine MRD-M1001 apparently my installer saying that i am overpowering these...anyways found a local deal that i could not refuse so i got 2 10" inch Alpine Type X (4ohms+4ohms DVC)the thing is that i am currently low on funds and i dont think about changing amps for a while i know the alpine type x is 1000 rms so i am underpowering them ...what will be the effect of this? should i keep my kappa until a buy better amp or it wont really matter for the time being i can hook up the type X

my installer says that it will be okay maybe a bit underpowered but will be find... just want to get more opinion on this matter!

thx for your help in advance!

 

Underpowering them will not hurt them, as long as your gain is set properly. They won't have as much output but it will not hurt them.

 

What's the power handling rating of the subs? It often doesn't (necessarily) matter, but here's a few things to consider:

- First and foremost: use the search function on the topic (above). There's a wealth of info. on the topic (more than I can ever provide)

- Infinity subs are fairly well built (esp. the Kappa's if I recall). This can help, ie., strength, reliability, etc. This is a factor (re: cooling ability).

- It's fine, actually it's preferred, to have a bit more 'power' than 'required' (it's called headroom). You can adjust your gains (amp) to keep your amp from working too hard. Think of a car engine redlining at 5000rpm + vs. one cruising at 1700 rpm . Same speed, big difference.

- A good, strong and clean signal from the HU to the amp(s) is very important, as this is what gets amplified. A distorted (or 'clipped') signal results in..you guesed it. This is why HU's with good (4V or more output) are preferred; it makes less work for the amp(s).

- Unless you have a HO (high output) alternator or a really good battery or two, you're not making 1000 wrms anyway. Trust me. Even at 80% efficiency, you'd require near 100A (probably more) to make that kind of power. Your car alone draws around 30A just to run. Then turn on the air/heat, headlights, normal engine electrical requirements, etc. How much is 'leftover' for your system? So factor this in.

- Underpowering? Depends how much. You'll hear different viewpoints on this one. If your subs are 350 rms handling (x2, so 700wrms or so) and your amp is putting out a clean 500wrms, then I think it should be OK.

 

yeah i know its okay for the kappa...they sound great but the type X... they will be really underpowered!...what will happen?

 

oh and my HU is 2.2 volts

 

i dont even think it is posible to underpower a sub because if you have your volume down you woulnt be underpowering them it would just be lack of power.

 

I had 250 rms on a 3000 watt sub. With the gain set properly, as to not create clipping in the amp which can cause damage to your sub, you can run any sub on any amp just the ouput of the sub will be greatly affected. You will be perfectly fine running on MRD-1001 on 2 type x subs. These subs dont like lots of power anyways. You want need much to run that amp. Just make sure you have a good strong battery up front. 0 gague wire throughout, big three and youre set.

 

You could have passed a square wave from that 250W amp to that 3000W sub and probably wouldn't have done any damage either.

To me, there is no such thing as underpowering unless:
a) It is not loud enough for you, and
b) The speaker in question is capable of handling more current

Overpowering is overpowering, whether it's via a clipped signal or sine wave or 10+ dB crest factor music...overpowering is damaging (not the shape of the waveform).

 

basically unless you're buying another amp..underpowering type x's isn't going to get you any louder...stick with the kappas unless you are upgrading or adding another amp

 

I ran a Type-X 10" for a year off a 400w amp and had no problems.