baddbenny

So - in my latest speadings, Im putting a small system in my car. Im a little concerned that the amp Im getting will be too much for the sum I have. As follows:

1 Infinity Perfect 10 DVQ - RMS 400w / Peak 1600w

to be powered by an

Alpine MRP-M650 mono - RMS 600w @ 2 ohms

Am I biting off more than my sub will comfortably chew??? I know they perfect is a monster of a 10! But this whole RMS thing has me all messed up.

Input anyone?

Thanks~

baddbenny

ps - the subs vqs will be wired in parallel to match the 2 ohm impedance of the amp.

Curiously.... Could I power one of the two vqs? Is that a stupid question? I couldn't find anything on that query...

D.Greenwood13

If in vqs u mean voice coil no, dont just wire up one. And u should be fine power wise if u dont turn the gain on the amp up all the way. Its also kind of odd that the RMS power is 400 and max is 1600?!?!?

saltyone

No such thing as too much power. The more head room the better.

mattastick

It is much better to have double or even triple the power that a driver is rated at, than having half the power it's rated for. When people run amps that are underpowering their driver (whether subs or speakers) they will most likely just crank the amp up. This causes dirty signal to go the driver, and will cause the driver to fail much sooner than having double or triple the rated power flying at it. With headroom, you can just keep your gains down, which generally ensures that you'll be sending clean power to your speakers. This keeps them alive and well, and playing for you...

on1wheel01

+1 Thats why many ppl blow there subs having the gain all the way I have my gain right at 1/3 to keep the signal power clean. I'm pushing about 1500 rms watts to my 12's they are rated 600 rms each.

Steven Kephart

As long as he is careful. Having more power than the speaker can handle (assuming the ratings are accurate) means he can damage the speaker.

Steven Kephart

Your gain still may not be in the correct place. It isn't a volume knob and shouldn't be set like one. The reason amplifiers have to have gain controls is because of the different output voltages head units have. If the output voltages were regulated (like home audio), then there would be no need for a gain control. It should be adjusted to the head unit, not the speaker it is running.

Steven Kephart

I don't fully agree with that. Too much power is too much power. Granted a rating is a suggestion, not necessarily an exact figure. But when you are running double or triple the power to a speaker you best know what you are doing or you will have a smelly speaker before long. However match the amp and the subs and set the gains correctly and don't be dumb with the volume knob and you won't have any worries.

on1wheel01

actually the gain is set correctly i did the whole multi meter and all http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...7/RMSchart.jpg

Steven Kephart

That's good to hear. I prefer other methods to setting gains that don't rely on manufacturer ratings which are often inaccurate. But that method should get you close enough where you won't have any problems.

When I headed up the warranty department at a small speaker manufacturer, I would always ask the customer where their gains were set on the amp. If they knew right away where it was, this indicated that their gains may have been set by guessing. So when I see someone specify like you did, I get suspicious.

mattastick

Right. Just because you have the power doesn't mean you should still crank the gain. I always set my gain's using a DMM and Ohm's Law. Makes life simpler that way. Set for either what the speaker is rated for (or you know can handle from other real world applications) in the case that you have more power than the driver needs, or set at the rated power output for the amp (as long as the amp will actually do rated power cleanly). I wish I had an O-scope so I could really see what's going on with the signal, but you work with what you have...

baddbenny

Good posts!
It sounds as though proper tuning will put me and my gear all in a happy little zone!

Im sure I'll have new questions once I get it all i hand and am ready to make it happen.

thanks guys!

baddbenny

well - my shopping today ended up with two amps coming home with me...

I have an Alpine MRP-M650 & an MRP-M500

Torn between the two...will have to make an appropriate selection of one and sell the other on here. Which one to use???

Its interesting to see that they both have two 30amp fuses. I want to assume they 500 is going to potentially put out as much power as the 650...?
The 650 is about 4 inches longer than the 500 - I like how small the 500 is.

What do you all think?

mattastick

The fusing is dependent on the current draw. So, if both amps have the same amount of fusing, they will draw the same current to put out their respective power. I'd use the 650, but that's just me. More headroom is better to have. Plus, if/when you decide to up your system, you might not have to buy another amp, just a new sub. Just my though. It's really your call, since it's your setup...

baddbenny

Went with the M500 - sounds awesome!

My Brand New MRP-M650 is posted for sale in the BM - take it off my hands!