How do i get the most power out of my amp and subs?

Question

I have 2 10in subs and a 600w 4 channel amp. what can i do to get the most power out of this. i dont know too much about this kinda stuff but i've been reading about bridging an amp. would this be the best way to go and if so how do i do it? or if not, whats the best way to get the most power?

Answer 1

First off, 4-channel amps aren't really used for subs (they will work). They're mostly used for the four speakers (two front, two rear).

You need to find out if the amp, when bridged, won't over power the subs. You'll need to know the RMS power handling of the subs and the RMS power out of the amp when bridged.

If everything checks out, you'll need to set the gain and LPF right.

The most important is the gain (or level control).

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.datafilehost.com/download.php...

You'll need a multi-meter (AC voltmeter), 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

The LPF should be set to around 150 - 180Hz

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

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"a capacitor is used to stop clipping when huge amounts of power are needed"

Totally false!!!

An amplifier that is pushed beyond its output power capability or a clipped signal is the cause of clipping. A cap has NOTHING to do with this.

A capacitor is only good so far as the audio system isn't trying to pull too much from the electrical system. A cap doesn't provide more power, it's designed to 'stiffen' the voltage to the amp, nothing else. If the current isn't there, a

cap won't help.

Carlos, how can a 4-channel amp see a 1 ohm load when bridged. It will actually have TWO bridged channels...and I'm willing to bet $1000 it can only handle 4 ohm on each bridged channel.

Where do these people come from?!?!?!?

Answer 2

To get the most volume from a sub and amp you need to wire the subs so that their combined impedance  matches the minimum impedance that the amp can safely operate. If your amp puts out the most power into 2 ohms, then wire the subs so that together the impedance the amp sees is 2 ohms. Remember that if you bridge the amp the actual impedance that the amp will see should be halved. In the above example the amp would actually see  a 1 ohm impedance.

Answer 3

Add BIG electrolytic capacitors to the incoming power feed.