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What Amp Should I Use?

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Old 01-24-2005, 07:43 AM
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What Amp Should I Use?

Please don't move it because the other forums here, no else checks it.

I currently have 2 12" Rockford Fostgate RFP4412 subwoofers but I am not sure what kind of amp I should hook them up to. When it comes to car audio, I don't know nothing. Here are the specs on the subs:

Nominal Power Handling - 200 Watt

Peak Power Handling - 400 Watt

Frequency Respond - 28 Hz - 400 Hz

Sensitivity - 88 dB

Impedance - 4 ohm

Woofer Material - Poly / Plastic

Surround Material- Foam

Enclosure- Non-Enclosed

Top Mounting Depth- 5.75 In.

Thanks, I would really appreciate it.
Old 01-24-2005, 07:59 AM
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It really just depends on your budget. With your subwoofers wired in parallel you'll have a two ohm load. Just find some amp that puts out 400w rms at 2 ohms and you'll be good.
Old 01-24-2005, 08:09 AM
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Wire the subs up so they are parallel (all + to + and all - to -). I am asuming these are single voice coil.

I'd say look for a class D amp that has about 400W @ 2ohms...
a couple of examples:
Alpine MRP-M350 - 350X1@2ohms
Alpine MRD-M301 - 350X1@2ohms
MTX Thunder421D - 420X1@2ohms
Rockford Fosgate Punch P3001 - 300X1@2ohms
Kicker KX400.1 - 400X1@2ohms
Infinity Reference 310a - 312x1@2ohms
Phoenix Gold Xenon X400.1 - 400x1@1-4ohms
Xtant Xtant3.1 - 300x1@2ohms

If I remember correctly I had those subs wheren't the greatest sounding sub. I ended up selling them and buying one 12" JL Audio 12w3-d4, the one JL sounded alot cleaner and hit hard then the 2 RFs did. Both subs where powered by the same amp, Clarion APA1200 (300x1 @ 2 ohms).
Old 01-24-2005, 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by wvuviv30
Wire the subs up so they are parallel (all + to + and all - to -). I am asuming these are single voice coil.

I'd say look for a class D amp that has about 400W @ 2ohms...
a couple of examples:
Alpine MRP-M350 - 350X1@2ohms
Alpine MRD-M301 - 350X1@2ohms
MTX Thunder421D - 420X1@2ohms
Rockford Fosgate Punch P3001 - 300X1@2ohms
Kicker KX400.1 - 400X1@2ohms
Infinity Reference 310a - 312x1@2ohms
Phoenix Gold Xenon X400.1 - 400x1@1-4ohms
Xtant Xtant3.1 - 300x1@2ohms

If I remember correctly I had those subs wheren't the greatest sounding sub. I ended up selling them and buying one 12" JL Audio 12w3-d4, the one JL sounded alot cleaner and hit hard then the 2 RFs did. Both subs where powered by the same amp, Clarion APA1200 (300x1 @ 2 ohms).
Shoudl I look at 1 channel or 2 channel amplifiers? It's going to be in a Civic hatchback, I have one hooked up for now and its underpowered and its more than enough for me.

Last edited by Vato Loco; 01-24-2005 at 09:41 AM.
Old 01-24-2005, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Vato Loco
Please don't move it because the other forums here, no else checks it.
BS. "new posts" bring it to the top.

Everyone who has posted in this thread posts in that section. The members who post in the audio section are the ones who would know anyway. Cattle calls are full of useless info.
Old 01-24-2005, 01:36 PM
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Would this kenwood amp be good:

Mfr. Part Number: KAC-7201
# Of Channels 2

1 OHM Output Power - Full Range Not Applicable

14.4V Dynamic Power At 2 Ohms Not Applicable

2 OHM Output Power - Full Range 460 Watts

4 OHM Output Power - Full Range 300 Watts

Bass Boost Yes

Bridgeable Yes

Bridged Power At 2 OHMS - Full Range Info Not Available

Bridged Power At 4 OHMS - Full Range 460 Watts

External Bass Control Capable No

Fuse Rating (Amps) 19 Amps

High Pass Filter Yes

Included In Box Manual, Warranty

Input Voltage 5.0 Volts

Low Pass Filter Yes

Mosfet Switching Yes

Overload Protection Yes

Product Dimensions 32.5(W) x 6.3 (H) x 28.0(D) cm

Product Weight 3.4 kg

Protection Indicator No

RCA Inputs (#Pairs) 1

RCA Outputs (#Pairs) 1

Screw Type Terminals Yes

Signal to Noise Ratio 100dB

Smart Engage Turn-On Yes

Speaker LVL Inputs Yes

Total Max Power 800 Watts

Tri-Mode Capable Yes

Warranty 1 Year Parts & Labour
Old 01-24-2005, 03:12 PM
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Very active forum....
Old 01-24-2005, 03:20 PM
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the kenwood amp you posted would could only be run in 2 channel mode. from the specs you posted it is not 2 ohms stable in bridged mode. what amp are you currently running now? im assuming that kenwood would only be good for 100x2. truthfully, you dont need much in any of the civic hatchbacks for it to get loud.
Old 01-24-2005, 03:32 PM
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I'm running a Kenwood KAC-749S and only one subwoofer is connected at the time.

Power
Continuous Power 40 Watts x 4
Output Power Per Channel 40, 60, 120 Watt
Output Power 500 Watt
Maximum Power Output 80 Watts x 4
Supply Voltage 14.4V DC, 14.4V DC, 14.4V DC
Input Signal Voltage 0.2 - 5V
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08%, 0.8%, 0.8%

Channels
Channel Qty 2, 4, 4

Features
Body Material Metal
Colors Metallic Gray, Metallic Black
High Pass Frequencies 50 - 200 Hz
Low Pass Frequencies 50 - 200 Hz
Response Bandwidth 5 - 50000 Hz
Output Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
Bass Boost Frequency 90 Hz
Bass Boost Gain 0 to +6dB
Crossover Slope 12 dB/octave
High Level Inputs Yes
Output Impedance 4, 4, 2 Ohm
Soft Start Yes


General Product Info
Weight 7.72 lbs
Manufacturer Part No. KAC-749S
Dimension 2.2 in x 10.3 in x 10.1 in (HxWxD)


So what amplifier do you recommend for my subs, I want my subs to pound honestly.

Last edited by Vato Loco; 01-24-2005 at 03:34 PM.
Old 01-24-2005, 03:59 PM
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i would try bridging your 4channel amp into 2 subs. unless you're using the other channels for front speakers.
Old 01-24-2005, 04:03 PM
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how would I do that? If I posted a pic tomorrow of the connections and settings, would you help me?
Old 01-24-2005, 04:12 PM
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okay, ill try to help you as best as possible. here we go. on the speaker connections there should be 2 sets of + and -. it might show on the amp which two you will use for a bridged connection. just take the + and - from the first pair of channels and connect it to the + and - on the speaker and do the same with the 2nd pair or channels on the next sub. you will need to feed rca input to both sets of channels. on the rca input you can usually run signal into just the left rca input. use the left rca input on the first pair of channels and use the right on the left input for the 2nd pair of channels. hopefully this isnt too confusing for you. lemme know if i can help you further.
Old 01-24-2005, 04:51 PM
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One of my buddies is selling a Sony amp, here are the specs. Would this work?

Key Features:
» 200 watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms
» 250 watts RMS x 2 at 2 ohms
» 500 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
» stereo or bridged mono output
» Tri-way capable (Tri-Way Crossover required)
» requires 4-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier
» MOSFET power and output stages
» preamp- and speaker-level inputs
» preamp outputs
» gold-plated connectors
» variable low-pass crossover (50-300 Hz, 12 dB/octave)
» variable bass boost (0-10 dB at 40 Hz)
» 15-3/4"W x 2-3/16"H x 10-7/8"D
» warranty: 1 year
Old 01-25-2005, 04:52 PM
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yep, 200x2 on 2 12s should hit really hard in a civic hatch. just make sure that your wiring is sufficient. i would make sure that your power cable is 4 gauge. you could probably get away with 8 gauge, but if you upgrade again then you'll have to change the power cable anyways.
Old 01-25-2005, 06:39 PM
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i've got a 15' kicker solo baric L7 and i was just wondering if that 500/1 JL amp would push it hard?
Old 01-26-2005, 05:14 PM
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the rms on the L7 is 1000... so it might not be enough. there are probably better subs out there for the money though.
Old 02-03-2005, 11:25 AM
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OK man,

I have been into car stereo for a really long time now. I have actually heard that sytsem of a kicker L7 with a JL audio 500/1 amp. It sounded pretty damn could, room for improvement but those jl audio amps slam like all hell. Pretty pricy those. Anyone needs caraudio advice hit me up on aol instant messenger. at

avoidingtheend .
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