taz757

iTrader: (2)

Okay. I've got probably a really stupid question here. Hopefully you guys can help.

I've got an 10" 8 ohm sub (MTX Thunder 5000 T5108) that is going to be powered by a 4 ohm amp (MTX Thunder 4202). Now, will I actually be able to power the sub, at all?

Originally when I bought the subs about 6 or 7 years ago, I was going to put 4 10s in the trunk, hence why I bought 8 ohm subs. I've since "grown up" and don't feel like I need all that boom any more. So, I'm just going to go with a single 10.

I'm just worried that I might not be putting out enough power, or probably too much, for the sub to handle.

Worse comes to worse, I can still install it and see what happens. If I blow it, I've got 2 more brand new ones sitting in the closet.

Big Rob

Don't worry, the only way that you could possibly blow the subs is to crank the volume all the way and distort the living hell out of those subs. Other than that, you will be fine. Because you have an 8 ohm sub, the amp will deliver around half the power that it is rated for a 4 ohm load. Make sure that you bridge the sub because you will probably get 150 rms watts max. My suggestion is to run your speakers off of that amp and to get a new one to go with the subs. If you are the kind of guy that likes to listen to a fairly loud system, then I can almost promise you that you won't be satisfied. Chances are, you will not be getting much of an increase in bass from your other speakers to be happy. I am not you however, and I at least suggest that you try it. If you like it, then keep it an stay happy with it. It is your car and you will be the one listening to it, so it is your call on what you want to do.

Regularjoe

Yup, you'll get half the power rated for 4 ohms out of the amp. Volume-wise your only looking at a reduction of 3-5db overall from the max volume. It should power it pretty good.

drew22mader

iTrader: (9)

Hey if you would take another 10 and run it in parallel with the other one you would have a 4ohm output running to the subs, then you could run full power to them and not have to worry about anything. You said you didn't want something that loud and 2 10's down from 4 would be a big difference. I would just go with the 2 10's so that you know your not going to mess up anything, its not hard to run in parallel.

Take you amps + and run it to both +'s on the subs.
Then take you amps - and run it to both -'s,
and there you go, 4 ohm impendence

If you continue to run that 1 sub at 8 ohms and your amp at 4 then it could result in several things:
Power is wasted and signal level is reduced.
Frequency response is no longer linear.
Distortion may result.
Damage to both units is a distinct possibility

Big Rob

He has a good point. You said that you had four after all.

drew22mader

iTrader: (9)

Big Rob, thanks for thinking the same, I was like, why ruin subs when all you need to do is add 1 more.

*COUGH* rep *COUGH*

taz757

iTrader: (2)

Well, I didn't give the whole story. Sorry about that. I was just in a rush to get an answer.

I *had* 4. Gave one to my little brother, which ended up getting stolen. So, left me with 3.

I just bought some generic box, that held 1 10". I completely forgot they were 8 ohm when I bought the box. Only saw it today when I went to put the stuff together.

I've put it all together. Everything seems to be working alright. I didn't bridge it. It makes *way* too much noise that way. I'm happy with it. I'll have to clean up all the wiring and stuff later though. I'll take pictures and post them later. It's an alright install.