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I ordered a while ago a JL 15w0 subwoofer...there were some problems with shipping, but its finally on its way now, and I need to ask a question. Right now I have 2 Audiobahn 8" subs, 200w RMS, 600w max each. They're hooked up to a Sony amp thats rated at 400w and 1000w max. The new JL I'm getting is 150w RMS. Do I need a new amp? I know I should get the closest to matching outputs as I can, but this amp cost me $200 and I'll be damned if its going to waste. Would it be ok for me just to turn down the gain a little past midway? I don't know a lot about amps, which is why I'm asking this. Im just kinda short on money right now, and if there's any way I can avoid having to buy a new amp, without a large risk of blowing my sub, I'll take it. THanks.

 
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400watts RMS might be much, but, what impedence is the sub? and how much power is your amp making at 4 ohms? 2 ohms?

 
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the sub is 4 ohm, and im almost positive the amp is rated at 4 ohm. What I was wondering is would turning the gain down (power level on the amp), make it safe to use?

 
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you're really pushing it, the power that is. i've never seen 400watts on a single W0 woofer, most i've seen was 250watts, from a JL 250/1, and i bet it was underrated, so maybe closer to 300watts.
i think it will handle it as long as you're not abusive with the volume, keep it moderate, and dont gain too high, you shouldn't have many problems.

 
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so i have a 400w amp...say I turn the gain down a little over half way. Would that make it pretty safe for all reasonable volumes I can do from the HU?

And I'll go ahead and ask it; if I do get a new amp, what do you suggest? I want this thing to kick, but Im not psycho about sound quality; just a hard kick and low bass.

 
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for the gain, i can't tell you where the gain should be, but listen to the woofer. if you're playing it loud, and its starts to bottom out or sound funky, turn the gain down, you gotta listen to it.
if i were to pick at amp, i'd get something that made about 200watts or so. i really like the new JL e series amps, the e2150(2 channel) bridged can do 150watts at 4 ohms, or the e1200(monoblock), does 125watts at 4 ohms and 200watts at 2 ohms, this is a nice amp if you're going to add another sub.