2ohm or 4ohm sub with monoblock amp?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 70
From: san diego CA
2ohm or 4ohm sub with monoblock amp?
I have a 500 watt monoblock rockford fostgate amp http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosga...8242579&sr=8-1 and (obviously) don't plan on bridging it with anything. It's the 2ohm subwoofer that I should get, correct? (jl 10w3 is what I was planning on) If it makes a difference, I have a c5z06 with the box from DD mods.
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
Last edited by Laser Guided; Feb 2, 2012 at 11:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 70
From: san diego CA
Having trouble finding it, but the jl10w3 2 ohm is a single voice coil correct? Also, how can I tell if the amp in the OP is 1 ohm stable? Sorry, pretty much a newbie when it comes to audio
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
JL makes both single and dual voice coil subs. if you lok at the part number it will have either "-2" (2 ohm), "-4" (4 ohm), "-D2" (dual 2 ohm VCs), or "-D4" (dual 4 ohm VCs).
While the Rockford Prime amp may be stable at 1 ohm (it would say if it is in the official specs) one of the most common configurations when you hear of problems with amps is when they're running an extremely low resistance load (1 ohm for a mono amp, 2 ohms for a stereo amp bridged). Some amps will handle it fine, some will be okay as long as cooling is adequate, and/or power supply is ideal. Others will say they can handle it, but will often have problems. Some companies have even had to restate the load capabilities of the amps because while they worked fine on a bench, in real conditions (see cooling and power supply comment above) they would overheat and burn out parts.
Sure you might get a little more power (not really usually due to various reasons), but is it worth it? I don't drive my Vette at Redline every time I shift. Might be the peak of the HP curve, but it isn't worth it to me.
While the Rockford Prime amp may be stable at 1 ohm (it would say if it is in the official specs) one of the most common configurations when you hear of problems with amps is when they're running an extremely low resistance load (1 ohm for a mono amp, 2 ohms for a stereo amp bridged). Some amps will handle it fine, some will be okay as long as cooling is adequate, and/or power supply is ideal. Others will say they can handle it, but will often have problems. Some companies have even had to restate the load capabilities of the amps because while they worked fine on a bench, in real conditions (see cooling and power supply comment above) they would overheat and burn out parts.
Sure you might get a little more power (not really usually due to various reasons), but is it worth it? I don't drive my Vette at Redline every time I shift. Might be the peak of the HP curve, but it isn't worth it to me.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
2 ohms is as low as I would recommend going regardless if the amp is rated 1 ohm stable.
Any lower and you risk doing more work later replacing components since you're increasing the workload on the amp and making it produce more heat, drawing more current through power cabling, and it results in greater distortion (THD %).
Any lower and you risk doing more work later replacing components since you're increasing the workload on the amp and making it produce more heat, drawing more current through power cabling, and it results in greater distortion (THD %).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Sherman Texas
I think I would have to agree on the 2 ohm mono load, using a 4 ohm DVC sub. Rockford doesn't list that as a 1 ohm amp, so why push it. Besides, damping factor will stay higher at 2 ohms giving you more cone control with that amp. Plus you get away with 4 gauge wire for the power....
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 70
From: san diego CA
Thanks for the help guys.
Next question is what wattage sub I should get if I go dvc 4ohm with my 500 watt monoblock?
500rms/1000peak like the one below?
http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosga...3064219&sr=8-1
Next question is what wattage sub I should get if I go dvc 4ohm with my 500 watt monoblock?
500rms/1000peak like the one below?
http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosga...3064219&sr=8-1
