Would you run these at 2 or 4 ohms?

Question

I have an Alpine PDX-1.1000 that is rated 1180 RMS watts x 1 @ 2 or 4 ohms...I am getting a pair of Kicker L5 12s (1200 RMS) to run off this amp and I can run them at either 2 or 4 ohms...Some people are telling me that it would be better for the amp to run them at 4 ohms and they would sound better. Some people tell me that even though running them at 2 ohms would be worse for the amp, they will sound louder??

Help Please...They are the same exact price

Answer 1

Well people are telling you to run them at 4ohms because it would cause the amp NOT to work as harder than at 2ohms. Personally I have my amp running at 2ohms to my subs. My amp runs 150x 1@4ohms and 300x1@2ohms and 2ohms is the only way I can give my subs there full potential and I've never had a problem with the amp in the 2 years I've had it. So with that being said, the choice is yours. As long as the  amp is stable at 2 or 4ohms and has the corrent wattage it is fine. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The rated power is the same, I'd run it at 4 ohm.  It'll sound exactly the same and your electrical system will be so much happier.  When you find you don't have to replace your alternator soon, you'll be much happier too.

Answer 3

Use 4 ohms that is what the amp is deisinged to give the best all round perfomance with. Not 2 ohms