Sub/Amp power

[Fed]

Everywhere i read i see that the power of the sub should match the power of the amp. But what if the amp is more powerful than the sub? Will that reduce sound quality?

Thanks in advance.
-Fed

[marcomc88]

Basically, both amps and subs have maximum (or recommended) power ratings. Let's say your amp has a maximum output of 200 watts of continuous RMS output and your subs have a recommended RMS power rating of only about 150 watts. This means that, on average, your 150 rated subs are recieving 200 watts of power. This wears them down faster and if your amp is too powerful, you could damage the subs.

That's why you want them to have ratings that are very close to each other, if not equal. The same goes for having an amp that's too weak for the subs: you wont get good sounds b/c your subs basically aren't getting the power they need to perform the best.

[CBFryman]

overpowering doesnt wear them down, assumeing you exceed the thermal limtis for long enough the glue will melt or you will burn the copper and the sub will blow, end of discussion, as far as reduceing sound quality, larger amps have easier times pushing lower ammounts of power...so power is cleaner and SQ is better

[PaulD]

Originally Posted by marcomc88

Basically, both amps and subs have maximum (or recommended) power ratings. Let's say your amp has a maximum output of 200 watts of continuous RMS output and your subs have a recommended RMS power rating of only about 150 watts. This means that, on average, your 150 rated subs are recieving 200 watts of power. This wears them down faster and if your amp is too powerful, you could damage the subs.

That's why you want them to have ratings that are very close to each other, if not equal. The same goes for having an amp that's too weak for the subs: you wont get good sounds b/c your subs basically aren't getting the power they need to perform the best.

Well, this guy doesn't know much about electronics ....... just because you have a 200W/rms amp does NOT mean it puts out 200 watts rms ALL the time.