will subwoofers distort if they arent getting enough power?

Question

I have 2 12" Pioneer TS-W306C subs in a bandpass box. In the reviews, people call these subs "distortion free" why do mine distort?

The subs are rated 400w rms, 1000w max. I have a Kenwood KAC-819. The amp is rated 450w, most likely "max." I only have on sub hooked up until my higher power amp comes in the mail, is the one sub getting enough power?

**One sub in a single box, i took them both out of the bandpass until i get my new amp

Answer 1

you can never damage a speaker by under powering it and it wont distort in any way think about it for a sec lets say you have a 2000watt rms amp when the volumes down on 1 or 2 do you really think the speaker is seeing 2000watts no way if that was the case anybody with a serious amp would go around listening to nothing but bass untill they turned the raido up so that the interior speakers played really loud

Answer 2

Well, you have to look at what's going into your amp. You could have 1500 watt RMS amp, but if you have 4 or 8 guage power cable, you are wasting your time. Also, you have to see if the box is of adequate size for the subs, I am running 2 15's in a box that is 6 cubic feet, but each of my subs are recommended to be ran in a 6 cubic foot box, so I have only half of the box I need. At higher levels, my subs sound distorted. If you are not running enough power, it should not distort the sound, you just won't get the thump you should be getting, and you have to turn the deck up more to compensate, which makes the amp run hotter, and you risk burning it up. If not running one, I recommend a 50 Farad capacitor, this is more than needed to keep the elctrons flowing to the amp, and run the biggest wire you can from the amp to the speaker, I have 12 or 10 guage going to my subs, but I should be running 8 guage.

Answer 3

if your amp is maxed out it will distort. if the speaker is in an enclosure that it is not made for it will seem like it is distorting. underpowing will not hurt the speaker. the only thing that will hurt a speaker if it is to low is the ohms from the amp. if the amp is 2 ohms and the speaker is 4 then there is likely some conflict between the two.

and too the guys that say your underpowering they are wrong. your amp does not continously push a constant 500w. when they give you this rating they are taking into acount multiple aspects and then avergeing the outcome. the variables are: volume of stereo, eq setup, settings on amp itself, speaker configuration, ect. take your car to a repetble installer and have them take a look at it to make sure every thing is conected properly and that your amp isnt being pushed to much.

Answer 4

It's not very likely - despite what manufacturers tell you, if your woofers are distorting at low power, they are probably already blown and will distort at every power level.

Running your woofers within their power rating but with lots of distortion from the amplifier may still blow your speakers. Also, don't believe the manufacturer specs when it comes to power ratings. A lot of the cheaper woofers, they rate their woofers with a 1khz tone (sound wave). Pioneer are very cheap - I've used them before and they have low power ratings.

Get yourself something decent. I bought myself two Rockford Fosgate 10" pro-series (with dual magnets / extra long throw) about 10 years ago and they still work well. I only run them at most 100W per speaker.

Answer 5

between the topics with prevalent sound kit is that it does not unavoidably adjust to any variety of finding out wide-spread. Secondly, the 500W is a max score, and the RMS could be interior the area of a hundred and twenty-200W counting on how nicely the amp is made, and the traditional of the factors (particularly capacitors and OpAmps). If the sub high quality isn't the subject, be particular it truly is connected wisely. you ought to have a single RCA line from the Sub output on the receiver to the RCA left enter (left is the convention for mono alerts). The crossover ought to probable be between a hundred and ten-140Hz. additionally, if the RCA cable is affordable, you will probable get sign loss besides as creation of noise, truly if the sub is a lot from the receiver. previous that, basically attempt to locate some variety of EQ or sound container decision on the receiver that sounds extra clever.

Answer 6

sounds like you have a cheap Amp or a cheap player that distorts from the git-go and the speakers are just playing what they get. Nye

Answer 7

underpowering will cause distortion,thats why they sell amps to increase the power from the stereo.

Answer 8

it can be the the amp that it maxed out

Answer 9

you have some crazy answers here.

first underpowering any speaker WILL hurt the speaker.

next chances are they are already blown. did you buy them new or used?

Answer 10

yes and lack of power will blow them faster than too much power