Help with new subs

[Potatoflinger]

I just bought a cheap enclosure with two 8" subs. The box that everything came in said that it was a 350 watt system, so I just figured that I could hook up a 350 watt amp and I would be set, but on the back of the enclosure where you attach the wires it says that it is dangerous to attach an amp with an RMS output power of more than 36 watts per channel. I really don't know much about vehicle audio, but doesn't the stock head unit have an RMS output of 35 watts? If so, does this mean that I just attach the speaker wires from the head unit to the enclosure without an amplifier?

I will post pictures of the enclosure if needed.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you will not be able to drive the subs off of the head unit, you will need the amplifier.

it sounds to me like the enclosure has small terminals that arent designed for subwoofers. i would remove them and replace them with something stouter (or just wire the subs directy to the amp).

 

[4x4fun]

o baby jesus.... were to start. first you coulddddddd run them like speakers cause that all the really are but they have HF blockers so its just the bass that comes thur. you can do the same thing with a good set of 6x9

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

running subwoofers off of the deck is not very smart. your overloading your deck and underpowering your subs.

run the amp.

 

[Potatoflinger]

Okay, I think I will buy a small amp, somewhere around 300 or 350 watts. Thanks for the advice!

 

[4x4fun]

but thoes arent "subs" there 8 inch speakers with a HF filter, and his head unit can prolly still blow them out.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

an 8" subwoofer is not a full range speaker, its a subwoofer. and as such they require far more power than any head unit can produce.

you are aware that there are 8" subwoofers on the market, right?

 

[4x4fun]

but on the back of the enclosure where you attach the wires it says that it is dangerous to attach an amp with an RMS output power of more than 36 watts per channel.

yes i know of 8 inch subs along with the 6 inch subs.

but he used the word cheep. im thinking there the roadmates or road maters or road something. and at 36 watts rms im finding it hard even find an amp that will put out something close to that low of an rms. the best i have found is bazooka. 190w 2 channel at 65 watts at 4 ohms. im willing to bet that if he takes the sub out there will be a resister solder on the terminals to block out the HF signal and just let the bass come out. that be the case. hook it up to your head unit. cause any amp you hook it too will blow it.

http://www.allaudioexpo.com/i/legacy_lwf8x_8_300_watt_l_series.html

the cheepest 8 inch "subs" i could find and there still 100w rms.

http://www.allaudioexpo.com/i/pyramid_wx61x_6_250_watt_woofer.html

6 inch "sub" at 125w rms.... its only 8 bucks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

then maybe itd be best if he did post pictures and some more detail of the enclosure. if they are actual subs, id run an amp. if they are some knock-off mid-range speakers then id...well id probably return them and get something decent...but thats just me.

 

[4x4fun]

well id probably return them and get something decent...but thats just me.

my first thought but i dont judge just help.

if your looking for some thing real small and bass. look for one of thoes cheep 8's that can run 100 or so rms watts for a $150 you could have subs amp and nice lil thump my two cents

 

[Potatoflinger]

Alright, I think I found the problem. The box has neon lights that fit around the subs, that connect directly to the same terminals as the subs. The box has two small speakers that also attach directly to the same terminals as the subs and neon lights. I would upload pictures, but my computer isn't cooperating with me.

I think that taking them back to the store is good advice. I will save my money a little bit longer to buy a decent set.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

good idea.

you really do get what you pay for when it comes to mobile audio equipment. a "real" 8" sub and sub box can be had for a relatively low price and will give decent boost to the bottom end.

 

[Potatoflinger]

What do you think about a kit from a local auto parts store, it comes with two 10" subs, a box, and a 1000 watt amp. I forget the brand name, but it was around $175.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

might not be too bad of a deal. itd help if you could get a brand for us.

 

[4x4fun]

its all about the green buddy. and how much you wanna spend and what you want. if all you have is $200 go for it but i cant say how long it will last. and that 1000w is not true. thats a 1000w at 14.v full battary and a tail wind lol.

but to each his own. i had a set of 8's in my geo, red steal cone 2o bucks a pop at walmart and they sounded good. a lil thump for mudding. and i was happy.

its all depended on your budget. lets u know that, and i can put a system together for you. but i don't have a limit on my stereo i know what i want and how i want it. and then its saving from there. and put it together. dont be in a rush to have a thump, ask questions know what you want your end result to be. and save to buy the right parts. and just look for bang for the buck, and thats different for everyone.

so before i go on if you dont mind me asking how much are you looking to spend and what do you want it to be when your done.