What does the different wattage of different subwoofers actually change?

Question

I know it produces more power but for something that mostly just vibrates, what truly does a 1000 watt sub add over a 250 watt sub?

Answer 1

All the number on the sub means is, it can take that much power without burning up.  It doesn't mean it's better in any way.  Many very high quality subs do not have massive power handling.  And you certainly do not have to run the amount of power written on the sub to it.  You can easily run 300 watts to a sub that can handle 2,000 and have a very satisfying system.

Answer 2

It adds a substantial amount of more bass, and is much louder. A 250 watt sub to me is a waste of time. I am running 2 1000 watt rms subs in my car, very loud bass, rattles every inch of my car.

Answer 3

Wattage is never a measure of quality, this is true. Just because a subwoofer can handle more power does not make it a better woofer. Box design, room size, and a variety of conditions can change the performance of a woofer.

However, as a general rule, a subwoofer with a higher power handling will be able to generate a higher SPL (Sound Pressure Level) than a subwoofer with a lower handling. You're not going to be able to get 140+ db reading with a 250 watt sub. Unless maybe you're measuring db inside the box...  anyway

A subwoofer moves out, in, back to center, and repeat..... we all know that. But the force in which is moves will determine exactly how much air pressure it can create. The higher the watts, the more air it's going to be able to compress against resistance.

Subwoofers are also rated in RMS power (Root Mean Square) and MAX power. RMS is what it can handle all the time, if the power is clean. It is basically an equation based on coil size, winding thickness, and etc...  MAX power is whatever the manufacturer can put to it for a split second without destroying it. So be careful what you're comparing. I only trust companies that rate their equipment with RMS numbers.

Answer 4

The additional power handling of the sub allows for it too get louder.  

For a more scientific way of looking at it...

Everytime you double the power you add 3 db.  Since you are doubling the power twice you would have up to a 6 db increase in sound from 250w to 1000w.  That is assuming the same sub is used.  This is not that big of an increase but in competitions it is huge.  Also, these numbers are theoretical numbers.  In real life the actual gain is going to be less.  So you will not even gain 6 db.  

In order to have twice the amount of loudness you need a 10db increase.  So even though you have 4 times as much power for the 1000w sub than the 250w sub you are not even close to doubling the loudness.  That is just another way to see that you are not really gaining THAT much more.

What else is important is the efficiency rating of the sub.  A sub with an efficiency rating of 96 db that got 250w of power would be just as loud as a sub getting 1000w with an efficiency rating of 90db.  So if the efficiency rating between the 1000w sub and the 250w sub was greater then 6 db the 250w sub would actually be louder (assuming all other things the same).  That just shows you that power is not the only thing to look at when it comes to total output.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

yah but the subs dont matter, its the amp...you wanna spend money on the amp 1st...you can actually run a crappy set of subs w a good amp and be in pretty good shape.

try using a crappy little amp and really good subs, you can underdrive them and s***w them up.