Does wiring to more ohms reduce the watts?

Question

OK, here is the deal, I have a kicker amp that runs a rms of 700 watts at 2 ohms, and is 2 and 4 ohm stable. I am looking at a subwoofer (kicker L7) that runs about 750 RMS at 4 ohms. So, If I hook that L7 sub up to the amp in a 4 ohm configuration, will I only get 350 watts of rms going to the sub since it is a 4 ohm sub and not a 2 ohm?

Also, would it be possible to get that sub in a 2 ohm version if it would be more power?

Answer 1

Your amplifier should have a rating for a 4-ohm load as well as a rating for a 2-ohm load. Most amplifiers that are 2-ohm stable do produce much more power into 2 ohms than 4 ohms; usually they'll be rated for up to twice as much power.

All L7 subs are dual voice coil, so if you have a 4-ohm DVC sub then it can be wired for a 2-ohm load. In fact, if you wanted a total impedance of 4 ohms, you'd need a 2-ohm DVC subwoofer. So if your L7 is rated at 4 ohms then you already have the amp/sub combination you're looking for.

Answer 2

Power depends, volatge and current, but at the same time volatge depends on the current and the value of the impedance. If the impedance is changed the power will too. While higher the impedance the power output of the amp s lower but the sound quality improves. If the impedance is lowered, the power output of the amp increases, but with less sound quality. If your subs are DVC 4 ohms, you can connect the 2 coils in parallel to give an impedance of 2 ohms which will give you the 750m w rms. if the coils are 2 ohms, then you can wire it a 4 ohms only ot have around 350-400 w rms. You'll need a second DVC 2 ohm to create a 2 ohms impedance.
For parallel wiring diagram go to:
http://crutchfield.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/crutchfield.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2727&p_sid=j6DZ9ayi&p_lva=2726&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTgzJnBfcHJvZHM9NDY5LDQ3MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9Mi40NzAmcF9jdj0mcF9wYWdlPTImcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1zdWJ3b29mZXI%2A&p_li=#

Answer 3

Generally speaking the higher the ohmage the higher the resistance in the circuit so the lower the wattage output. But it's not always a perfectly linear result. There are other factors, such as the power supply in use and the amp's circuitry.

EDIT: I see you say your amp is stable for 4 ohms so it's a matter of the hookup. But still check out the tech details I've given on the link below just to make sure all will be okay.

For a good and not-too-complicated discussion of this -- including ways to calculate it all and warnings of things to avoid (like blowing power transistors!!)-- go to this link:

http://www.marktaw.com/recording/Electronics/OhmsAmpsandSpeakers.html

(This is a free, non-commercial site.)

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

if the amp is 4 ohm capable, then it will kick out the full 700 watts rms if you hook up the L7 woofer in a 4 ohm config.

Answer 5

See my site for sub wiring methods http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com