I just have a quick question. Right now I have a 12w3v2 running off my alpine MRD-M301 (350 x 1). I was thinking of swapping the w3 for a w6 for better performance ( I can't turn the gains all the way up with the w3). Would it be worth it to change, or would I be underpowering the 12w6??

 

I would buy a better amp.

 

why this amp is terribly loud with the w3, Im just thinking overall sound quality could increase with the w6

 

what kind of box do you have? 350 watts would be ok for a W6V2 but 500 or so would be better for sure. If you want louder, you should get a more powerfull amp or keep the sub and amp and put it in a ported box. I have 2 of the same subs with 350 watts to each and it is deffinately loud enough and they are in a sealed box.

 

A couple of things first. NO AMP will be able to have the gains turned all the way up. You would be luck if you can get the amp gains to 70% without distortion. HOWEVER you should get your amp TUNED to the speakers or subs. I would buy a different amp first.. The w6 will not sound BETTER, just underpowered.

I would suggest getting the better amp and then your sub will sound better and play louder.

Ryan

 

Yes, gains aren't about your speaker, they're about your head unit : )

 

Guess i should have been more specific, what i meant was that most people think of the gains as a volume control.

YEs you need to tune your amp to the headunit, but USUALLY what happens is stereo shops turn the volume up on the HU to say 75% of max volume and then turn the gains up til the speakers distort. Not the BEST way to do it, but for DIY'ers with no equipment this is a pretty good rule of thumb.

That is what I meant by turning the gains up. Sorry i wasn't more specific.. However Eld i been meaning to ask.. is this also the way you tune the amps or do you actually use equipments (oscillioscope etc to do it)?

Ryan

 

Sorry, let me clarify. I keep the gains on the amp at 0, but I have the remote level control and I have to keep the level at -6 on the amp and still keep the knob only about half way. Basically I think this amp is great (benchmarked at more like 390 Watts RMS at 2 ohms) , I was just wondering if the 12w6 would be underpowered, I guess I have my answer.

 

Get the 12w6v2, i just returned the 12w3v2 at the store i wasn't happy with it. I'm waiting for my new unopened 12w6v2 but i'll be selling it once i get it. I won the sub on ebay on fri night, then tonight i was about to sell my old cell phone and found the receipt in the box and discover i have good guys warrenty left over, so i can return that phone back to them and get the full amount i paid plus tax.

then im gonna buy that same sub at the store for a discounted price, if you want to buy it let me know.