C6 Subwoofer - 2 Ohm or 4 Ohm
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 4
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C6 Subwoofer - 2 Ohm or 4 Ohm
I'm starting to plan a new audio system for my C6. I'm planning to get a 5-channel amp, and comps in the front and coaxials in the rear, and a sub in the back.
I would like to get a vettenuts Subwoofer enclosure and can't decide whether to get a 2-ohm JL W3 or a 4-ohm JL W3.
I'm never going to add a second sub.
Both options will take 500 watts RMS, either at 2-ohm or 4-ohm.
When I look at possible 5-channel amps, I can find 500 watt in 2 ohm and 300 watt for 4-ohm for the Subwoofer Channel.
Basic math leads me to think I should get the 2-ohm one.
But, I'm worried about the amp running hot with a 2-ohm setup, and I will have 4-ohm speakers for the front and rears from the same 5-channel amp.
So, after all that, would you get a 4-ohm sub or a 2-ohm sub?
I'm at the edge of my budget here, and I'm trying to put together a nice system.
It's been a long long time since I've done an install with car audio.
I would like to get a vettenuts Subwoofer enclosure and can't decide whether to get a 2-ohm JL W3 or a 4-ohm JL W3.
I'm never going to add a second sub.
Both options will take 500 watts RMS, either at 2-ohm or 4-ohm.
When I look at possible 5-channel amps, I can find 500 watt in 2 ohm and 300 watt for 4-ohm for the Subwoofer Channel.
Basic math leads me to think I should get the 2-ohm one.
But, I'm worried about the amp running hot with a 2-ohm setup, and I will have 4-ohm speakers for the front and rears from the same 5-channel amp.
So, after all that, would you get a 4-ohm sub or a 2-ohm sub?
I'm at the edge of my budget here, and I'm trying to put together a nice system.
It's been a long long time since I've done an install with car audio.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
personal call. greater efficiency is another thing you could look for. a lower impedance allows the amp to make more power but it also will make more heat and draw more current. the difference between 3 and 500w is about 2db and that's if the amp can really dial up that much more at 2ohms
use a quality sub and don't over think it. the 10w3v3 is a favorite for what it sounds like you're doing
use a quality sub and don't over think it. the 10w3v3 is a favorite for what it sounds like you're doing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
You want to match the ohm load for the power you are looking for from the amp and the power requirements for the sub.
The JL 10W3v3 has a 500w RMS rating (2 or 4 ohm)
So you want to match the 10W3v3-2 with an amp that produces 500w x 1 @ 2 ohms
And you want to match the 10W3v3-4 with an amp that produces 500w x 1 @ 4 ohms
I am not sure what 5 channel amp you are planning on picking up, but lets take the example of the JL Audio RD900/5 (I have this amp)
The sub channel does 225w @ 4 ohms or 500w @ 2 ohms (RMS). Now since the JL 10W3v3 has a 500w RMS rating I would want to get the JL 10W3v3-2.
Will the JL 10W3v3-4 work? Sure, with the understanding that you are only giving that sub 225w of power because of the 4 ohm load.
From what is sounds like, you are getting a 5 channel amp that does 500w at both 2 or 4 ohms. If that is the case, either sub will be fine and there will be no sound difference. I would not worry about heat. I am going to go out on a limb here and say the 5 channel amp you are getting is a class D (or at least the sub channel is) and if that’s the case, heat is not an issue.
The JL 10W3v3 has a 500w RMS rating (2 or 4 ohm)
So you want to match the 10W3v3-2 with an amp that produces 500w x 1 @ 2 ohms
And you want to match the 10W3v3-4 with an amp that produces 500w x 1 @ 4 ohms
I am not sure what 5 channel amp you are planning on picking up, but lets take the example of the JL Audio RD900/5 (I have this amp)
The sub channel does 225w @ 4 ohms or 500w @ 2 ohms (RMS). Now since the JL 10W3v3 has a 500w RMS rating I would want to get the JL 10W3v3-2.
Will the JL 10W3v3-4 work? Sure, with the understanding that you are only giving that sub 225w of power because of the 4 ohm load.
From what is sounds like, you are getting a 5 channel amp that does 500w at both 2 or 4 ohms. If that is the case, either sub will be fine and there will be no sound difference. I would not worry about heat. I am going to go out on a limb here and say the 5 channel amp you are getting is a class D (or at least the sub channel is) and if that’s the case, heat is not an issue.
