If I pump 500 watts into a speaker with a 1000 watts rms, is that bad?

Question

If I pump 500 watts into a speaker with a 1000 watts rms, is that bad?

Answer 1

Not at all, but peak watts (as mentioned) have nothing to do with anything, ignore them.

Answer 2

I was told that if yo under power a speaker you will damage it quicker than pushing it near capacity

Answer 3

naw it won't hurt em...but you'll def be underpowering them..which is ''kinda'' a waste of probably a good a** speaker, not getting all of its true power.

But all in all,...no it shouldn't hurt it.

Answer 4

Brandon needs to not give advice as he knows nothing about RMS and Peak rating.

diofanboy is an idiot, really, how is under powering a sub going to damage the sub more than by pushing it near capacity? Not going to happen at all, giving it a longer life span is all that will happen with that.

M M is an idiot as well, didnt buy matching equipment, and that makes you look silly. So basically your saying that over 50% of the people out there with systems look silly because their amp doesn't match their subs. I say this to you, I would put my system agaist yours any day, and this is what I am running:

2 Elemental Designs Audio 13Ov.2's @1000 watts RMS

6X9 Memphis Audio Kevlar 150 watts RMS

Elemental Designs Audio 6500 150 watts RMS

Subs are getting 1500 watts RMS @ 1 OHM (Crunch PZI 1500.1)

6X9's are getting 450 watts RMS for the set, as are the ED 6500's from a Crunch PZI 900.4

So how is that silly?

The only one that gave an answer that should be listened to is SPARKY, ignore everyone elses inputs.

Answer 5

No. The RMS power isn't anywhere NEAR peak power. So long as you don't send in more than the peak rated power, you're fine.

Answer 6

Yes, it means you didnt buy matching equipment, and that makes you look silly.

Answer 7

No, it's not bad, but MAKE SURE you are NOT pushing your amp past its limits. Pushing 500wrms through a speaker than can handle more is not a problem, but using an underpowered amp that you are tempted to push hard to get decent volume will quickly do damage.

If you were using a 1500w amp, no problem; damaging speakers from overpowering is a lot harder ;-)

Answer 8

I agree with George with all the idiotic and wrong answers posted.  Except when he posted he had eD equipment.

Answer 9

Not at all bad.

Underpowering is fine.

Answer 10

if speakers are rated at 1000 rms 500 is half so the answer is no. but you are not using to full potential. three fourths of rated power is norm. gives a little cushion on power usage which means last longer. If more sound is needed try changing setup or box design. If that does no meet demand for sound then stronger speakers may help.