Can you have to much power?
10-12-2006, 08:16 PM
#1
Can you have to much power?
Ok it may sound dumb but... here goes
I have a pair AVIsls 250 each driven by a old PPI 2150AM (bridged = 600w per sub ) and they sound real good but I was thinking of changing out those amps and going to a D class single amp. The questions I have is the amp I am looking at is rated at 2000w RMS @2ohm load that my AVIs would put on it. Sooooo what do you think to much power? I have read many posts that say you cant tell the difference between D class and the A/B class alternitive for subs so it shouldnt hurt the sound quality I have now........... right?
Thanks
I have a pair AVIsls 250 each driven by a old PPI 2150AM (bridged = 600w per sub ) and they sound real good but I was thinking of changing out those amps and going to a D class single amp. The questions I have is the amp I am looking at is rated at 2000w RMS @2ohm load that my AVIs would put on it. Sooooo what do you think to much power? I have read many posts that say you cant tell the difference between D class and the A/B class alternitive for subs so it shouldnt hurt the sound quality I have now........... right?
Thanks
10-12-2006, 10:05 PM
#2
Given the limited bandwidth that a sub plays in and the fact that they usually produce more audable distortion than most amps could ever make, you are going to be hard pressed to hear a difference in a sub application. Most people misconstrue a difference in sound in a sub when infact it is a difference in power that is making the sub behave differently.
As far as overpowering a sub goes, that is a big amp. Provided the coils can take the excess heat generated by that much power, you would be good to go. Remember though that the #1 killer of any sub is due to heat. Heat is from too much power, a clipped signal, or not allowing the speaker to adequately cool down after prolonged use.
As far as overpowering a sub goes, that is a big amp. Provided the coils can take the excess heat generated by that much power, you would be good to go. Remember though that the #1 killer of any sub is due to heat. Heat is from too much power, a clipped signal, or not allowing the speaker to adequately cool down after prolonged use.
10-12-2006, 10:24 PM
#3
Am I correct in understanding that the sub would only see those upper #s in power with the volume turned way up? I meen the amp would not be putting out 2000w at 1/3 volume, correct? Is there a cool down procedure like running at lower volume for a short time?
Thanks
Thanks
10-12-2006, 10:32 PM
#4
Yes and no. If the input voltage is say 8volts and the amp can take a 4volt input, the amp may infact reach full output well before "full volume" on the volume dial even with the gain control turned all the way down. If you were to use this amp I would definitely keep the gain in check, the volume level in check and allow the subs adequate time to cool.
10-13-2006, 07:29 AM
#6
Also keep in mind that your electrical system might not have enough power to give you all that extra power, 2000watts sounds like a lot for a stock system... unless you have an aftermarket alternator-batts setup.
10-13-2006, 10:59 AM
#8
Higher powe amps usually put out a higher voltage (voltage X current = power) which means that they willput out less current to reach the same power rating... less current = less heat, (current makes heat, power does not)
so a higher wattage amp may do less damage to your subs than a lower wattage amp, since it creates less heat in the coils at the same power.
so a higher wattage amp may do less damage to your subs than a lower wattage amp, since it creates less heat in the coils at the same power.
10-13-2006, 02:31 PM
#9
If those subs actually see 1,000 watts each from that amp you might lose them, but... the likelihood of those subs getting that much power for any damaging length of time from that amp is pretty slim unless you want to listen to them with ear plugs or are in an SPL event.
When you have a high-powered amp feeding lower power-handling subs this is what usually happens: The gain sensitivity on the amp is set so low that the amp only ever produces what you need for the subs to function optimally - in this case it will be around 500 RMS (maybe more, maybe less). Some would say that this is a waste of power potential, others would say that your sound quality will be better with an amp running at, say 25% of rated RMS vs. 100% or more. THD usually spikes just above RMS. THis means if you do reach high power levels for these subs (e.g. 500RMS each for a relatively short time) they should experience a less-distorted signal as compared to pushing them hard with an amp with an RMS level of less than 500 watts.
IMO - your subs will take it (cause they will only ever get what they need) and will probably sound great!
When you have a high-powered amp feeding lower power-handling subs this is what usually happens: The gain sensitivity on the amp is set so low that the amp only ever produces what you need for the subs to function optimally - in this case it will be around 500 RMS (maybe more, maybe less). Some would say that this is a waste of power potential, others would say that your sound quality will be better with an amp running at, say 25% of rated RMS vs. 100% or more. THD usually spikes just above RMS. THis means if you do reach high power levels for these subs (e.g. 500RMS each for a relatively short time) they should experience a less-distorted signal as compared to pushing them hard with an amp with an RMS level of less than 500 watts.
IMO - your subs will take it (cause they will only ever get what they need) and will probably sound great!
10-13-2006, 02:56 PM
#10
sass what in the hell are you talking about ? lol
Setting the amp for 500 per sub off the 2kw amp is very ideal... it leaves you with 3extra db of headroom over the 1000 watt alternative....
the 'too much power' situation comes into play when an unexpected peak in low level signal comes along and causes physical damage due to overexcursion.... or you just go overboard with the volume and do thermal damage....
Setting the amp for 500 per sub off the 2kw amp is very ideal... it leaves you with 3extra db of headroom over the 1000 watt alternative....
the 'too much power' situation comes into play when an unexpected peak in low level signal comes along and causes physical damage due to overexcursion.... or you just go overboard with the volume and do thermal damage....
Last edited by Haunz; 10-13-2006 at 03:03 PM.
