Amp power compared to power usage (help)?

Question

I have a amp that can at MAX bridged put out a 400 rms powering a sub that runs normally at 400 rms.

I'v heard you dont want to cut it close, and that its better to have more then enough power, even if the extra power isent being used, but just so the sub is givin constantly enough power.

So would it be smart to get a 650 rms amp instead to use?

If so, how would it help.

List any other advantages as well.

Also what are the disadvantages of using the 400 rms amp with 400 rms sub?

Answer 1

ok for 1 you never really do 500rms  and i would match rms power to rms power also for a true 500w all the time go jl audio 500/1 it does 500rms at any ohm level and at any power level thanks to its R.I.P.S(regulated integrated power supply) as for advantages and disadvantages its hard to tell but mostly sound quality your looking for less than .01% as thats inaudible by the human ear

**note** no it just means that it was tested and designed for rockford components ie there is an amp the is "married" to this sub

Answer 2

amp and sub matching= http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/reviews...

type=

mono (1-channel) CEA-compliant brand

here are the CEA-compliant brands

Alpine

Bazooka

Blaupunkt

Clarion

Eclipse

Infinity

JBL

JL Audio

JVC

Kenwood

Kicker

MTX

Pioneer

Polk Audio

PPI

Rockford Fosgate

Sony

"wired exclusively with Rockford accessories"=

means that the wires and connectors that were used are Rockford Fosgate brands and you can use any brand you chose  

Answer 3

You have a much better chance of damaging the subwoofer with a 650-watt amp.  Stick with the 400-watt amp; there's no advantage to using an amplifier with a higher rated power than the sub.  

It's a common myth that you can damage a sub by "under-powering".  This is untrue, as this short article from Rockford Fosgate explains:  http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/scripts/r...

If you have a 400-watt sub, and a 400-watt amp, then they're well matched (provided that your sub's impedance matches the specified impedance of the amplifier's 400-watt rating).

Answer 4

There is NO advantage to this "headroom" people speak of.

Power is power.

It's best to just match up RMS power between amp and sub(s).

As far as the gain...

The purpose of the gain is to match the signal volts RMS coming from the source (CD player, etc.) to the input of the amp to prevent clipping (damage by over powering).

Here is a guide that will help you set the gain correctly http://www.box.net/shared/uchv4dbk88

You'll need a multi-meter (AC voltmeter, $15 from Radio$hack), Microsoft Excel and a way to burn an audio CD from an MP3.

If you don't have Excel, use this link http://www.box.net/shared/nkkw1dhk4g

See my site for more info http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com

Answer 5

You what youve been told about is called headroom pretty much you should get as many watts as you can afford(providing your buying a quality product)

the main advantage comes from the amount of input signal that has to be used to get the desired output level/watts/voltage however you wanna look at it.

Jus dont go overboard when you get the amp and turn the gains all the way up in a situation with a lot of headroom sometimes the gains dont need to be up at all.