Can using a 400watt mono-amp Ruin a 1200watt Subwoofer?

Question

i had a 400 watt amp connected to 2 300watt subwoofers, but then yesterday i bought a sub box containing 2 sony xplod 1200watt subwoofers, for right now til i get the money, im gonna use that 400watt amp to power only one of the 1200watt sony sub. i have it hooked up already and it sounds GREAT! i just wanna know if it will ruin or damage the sub or what?

Answer 1

It's hard to answer exactly without knowing the real power ratings of the equipment; the 1200 watt ratings on the subwoofers are more marketing than reality, and are useless for matching with an amplifier's power. The 400 watt amplifier rating may or may not be a useful rating either. Generally speaking, if it sounds good, then you probably don't have to worry.

Answer 2

1200w is the 10" right? If I'm correct those are about 280w RMS. The amp is probably only putting out 200w RMS (give or take, depending on brand) so you could probably stand to get an amp with twice that power and still have about 160wRMS left to play with. Never go with max ratings. Always go with RMS ratings, it's how much power the amp can dish out constantly, or the subs can handle constantly. Max is only how much the amp or subs can handle in say... a 1 millisecond burst?

In short, no, that amp won't destroy your new subs. When you buy a new amp, make sure the RMS rating of your Xplod's together (if it's 280w RMS each, then the total is 560wRMS) is greater than or equal to the RMS power of your new amp. So your new amp should only put out 560w RMS or LESS. Chances are, a mono amp like this will be in a box saying "1120 watts max!" depending on the brand.

Answer 3

that wont damage the subs at all as the amp is only capable of a maximum of 400watts and the subs are rated to 1200watts

and the residual output is even less on both (the sub and amp) so you will be fine

if anything you need a higher wattage of amp to power your subs

Answer 4

ok, they are 1200 watt peak, which in turn would mean they are about 600 rms, (usually) then your 400 watt amp wont do very well with it, i know this from experience, i hooked a 400 watt amp to a 12" kicker solo baric that was rated at 1200 watt peak, within 3 days the voice coil went out in it. it would be a good idea to wait and get a bigger amp

Answer 5

well what you have to remember is distortion is the biggest killer of speakers. In its physical properties distortion actually distorts the physical shape of a cone because it prevents the voice coil from moving in a linear motion. So in a nutshell it makes the voicecoil rub the pole piece and create friction, friction causes heat, which will in turn over periods of abuse (not necissarily over powering) will literally weld the voice coil to the pole pice or bobbin. and damage the speakers. My suggestion is to use the best brands available to limit distortion, and in many cases use more power then your woofers are rated so you can use your gain control at a lower setting and your amp then doesnt have to work as hard, letting it produce a cleaner sound. the gain isnt a volume control, but is designed to match the output of a given radio.... face it, no radios are created equal. a great shop Ive been using is on myspace at
ocean_audio_obx they are very helpful and have done a few systems for me that have sounded incredible. They have done numerous competition vehicles and magazine coverage.

Answer 6

Parallel will give you a 2 ohm load with your 4 ohm speakers.

Answer 7

as long as its not muffling the subs and it souns great u should be fine.