I have a Kicker subwoofer amplifier monochannel ZX300.1 and the RMS is 400x1. I have two 12" DCVR12 subs that are connected together so the box only has one speaker hook up + and -. the RMS for the speakers is 600. i do believe this isn't good for the speakers but i would like it if someone could explain to me why besides it might ruin my subs or is the system all right. i bought everything a little over a month ago and just got a chance to put it all together and in the car. Circuit City told me the amp would be fine for the subs but after i hooked everything up i was looking at the booklets and i once heard something about RMS and how the amp has to be at least what the subs are at. Could someone please tell me if this is all right or not and explain the whole RMS thing to me. Thanks.
2007-06-25 05:19:52 · 4 answers · asked by kickercomp 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Audio
As long as your amplifier can provide enough power to play the subs as loudly as you want, it doesn't hurt anything if the amplifier is rated for less power than the subs. It is NOT true that under-powering speakers can damage them.
2007-06-25 06:18:06 · answer #1 · answered by KaeZoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RMS means "root mean square", is the average/continuous power of the device.
In you case I think the 600w rms is the total power of the subs since they are connected in parallel. That means that each sub can handle a max of 300w rms/per sub. With your current 400w mono amp each sub would receives200w rms, but assuming the impedance of the subs is 4 ohms, connected in parallel like in your enclosure lowers the impedance to 2 ohms, which at that impedance rating the amplifier will double the power output around 800w rms , so each sub receives 400w rms/each. They would be a little overpowered but if you lower the gain a little, and keep reasonable volume level you'll be fine.
Make sure the amp is stable @ 2 ohms almost every amp if not all, are stable.
Always look for the power in rms in cd players, amplifiers, and speaker. Is very important to avoid overpowering the subs and blowing them. Also the impedance of the speaker is important since the number of speaker connected to an amplifier is determined by it. All amplifiers supply different power rating depending on the load impedance connected at the outputs.
2007-06-25 13:24:58 · answer #2 · answered by Mitchell 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's better to have the higher number on the speakers, not the amp. If the amp was more powerful than the speakers, you would blow out the speakers.
RMS is a mathmatical term that Electrical Engineers use, It stands for "Root Mean Squared".
RMS is used for rating fuses and circuit breakers. I never heard of RMS ratings on speakers before.
Back in the 70's , when I listened to hard rock, the speakers were rated in Watts, and were 8 ohms.
2007-06-25 12:34:06 · answer #3 · answered by AviationMetalSmith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wont be your speakers to suffer but your amp. Your amp is rated to only give a constant 400 watts to 1 single channel 400x1 but your speakers are rated for 600(each i assume by the question) so it would be your amp working to keep up with the speakers and eventually the heat will cause problems with the amp your speakers would be still waiting for more juice.
RMS is what your car sudio can handle on a constant.
Peak is what the maximum watts it can receive
2007-06-25 12:30:38 · answer #4 · answered by ixnay_on_the_floyd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋