2 channel or mono amp? for 1 Premier subwoofer(ts-sw1241d)

the dawg · Post by **the dawg** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:38 pm

Hi there, I just bought a pioneer premier 12" subwoofer(ts-sw1241d). It is a 4 ohm single voice coil(since it has only 2 terminals-1 pos. and 1 neg.,Right?)and it has an RMS rating of 350 watts. Was wondering which type of amp to power this single subwoofer.--2 channel or mono? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

swimmerdude · Post by **swimmerdude** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:51 pm

You could actually go either way. If you got a 2-channel amp, you want the amp to put out around 350rms bridged at 4ohm and maybe in the future if you upgrade your system, you could use the amp for speakers up front. The other way to go is to get a mono block class D amp. Again, the amp would need to put out around 350rms at 4ohm.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:00 pm

stereo amp bridged at 4 ohm would be your best bet as they are pretty cheap.

the dawg · Post by **the dawg** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:01 pm

If I bridged a 2 channel amp with a single 4 ohm subwoofer wouldn't the amp receive a 2 ohm load? Most of the 2 channel amps have a min. impedence level of 4 ohms.

two4fifteen · Post by **two4fifteen** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:01 pm

you would probably get the most bang for your buck getting a a 2 channels amp, since, like mentioned above, most 2 channel amps put out peak power at 4 ohm when bridged, and most mono amps put out peak power at 2 or 1 ohm, and you would only half or less at 4 ohm.

two4fifteen · Post by **two4fifteen** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:02 pm

the sub presents the loud, not the amp. as long as you use that single sub, any amp you use will see a single 4 ohm load

swimmerdude · Post by **swimmerdude** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:03 pm

the dawg wrote:If I bridged a 2 channel amp with a single 4 ohm subwoofer wouldn't the amp receive a 2 ohm load? Most of the 2 channel amps have a min. impedence level of 4 ohms.

A single 4ohm sub by itself can only be wired to 4ohm.

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:08 pm

Actaully he is kinda right.

When you bridge a 2 chanel amp, the amp sees half the current load (this is how you get the added output). So if your running a single 4 ohm sub bridged on a 2 chanel amp, the amp actually sees a 2 ohm load.

Thats why some amps say, 2 ohm stereo stable, but not 2 ohm bridged. Because 2 ohms bridged would actually make the amp see a 1 ohm load.

EDIT: No this doesn't mean you need an amp thats stable at 2 ohms bridged. Just make sure its stable at 4 ohms bridged (most are). The manufactor should have figured out the rest for you.

two4fifteen · Post by **two4fifteen** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:16 pm

you might want to rethink that jeremy. no amp is going to "see" a 2 ohm load from a single 4 ohm sub.

the dawg · Post by **the dawg** » Wed May 31, 2006 5:21 pm

O.K. -Thanks for the input guys. I have MB Quart components in the front doors and MB Quart 2-ways in the rear doors powered by a U.S. Acoustics 4 channel amp. I got the subwoofer and was looking at the Hifonics amps to power this sub in a sealed box that I custom made. The hifonics brutus series(mono) and zeus series(2 channel). Maybe I'll go with a Zeus 2 channel because they are a little easier on my pocketbook and they will put out more power with my set-up. This site is awesome, glad I talked to you guys before I went out and bought the wrong amp!