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Proper power for your sub
The RMS wattage rating of a sub measures how much power the sub can handle without suffering damage. The RMS wattage rating of an amp measures how much power the amp can produce. The closer these two ratings are to each other the better off you'll be.
For example, if a sub has an RMS wattage rating of 100 watts, you'll want to pair it with an amp that produces an RMS wattage output of 100 watts. The sub will be able to perform at its maximum rating, and the amp won't overwork itself to drive the sub.
Result? Solid, clean bass.
Matching up wattage ratings
If you send too much power to your sub, you risk damaging it. The cone of the speaker and the mechanical parts that make it move may break under the stress. Surprisingly, too little power can also damage your subwoofer — in fact, it's actually more common than damage caused by overpowering.
When the volume is turned up and the amp doesn't have enough power, the signal becomes distorted, or "clipped." This distorted signal can cause parts of the speaker to overheat, warp and melt. Not good!
You don't have to match speaker and amp wattages exactly. An amp with a higher output than the speaker's rating won't necessarily damage the speaker — just turn the amp down a bit if you hear distortion from the sub and don't run the speaker at extremely loud volumes for lengthy periods. Likewise, you'll be OK with a lower powered amp if you keep the volume down and don't feed a distorted signal to the sub.
What's right for you?
The sub and amp you need depends on what you want to hear. If you plan on listening to music at moderate volume levels or have a smaller car, a subwoofer with a lower power handling rating, say 100 to 250 watts, and a matching amp is a good combo.
If you want it loud, step it up! Buy subs that are rated to handle high wattage, at least 250 watts or more, and power them properly. If you try to skimp on one or the other, you risk poor sound and damaged speakers.
The RMS wattage rating of a sub measures how much power the sub can handle without suffering damage. The RMS wattage rating of an amp measures how much power the amp can produce. The closer these two ratings are to each other the better off you'll be.
For example, if a sub has an RMS wattage rating of 100 watts, you'll want to pair it with an amp that produces an RMS wattage output of 100 watts. The sub will be able to perform at its maximum rating, and the amp won't overwork itself to drive the sub.
Result? Solid, clean bass.
Matching up wattage ratings
If you send too much power to your sub, you risk damaging it. The cone of the speaker and the mechanical parts that make it move may break under the stress. Surprisingly, too little power can also damage your subwoofer — in fact, it's actually more common than damage caused by overpowering.
 The sub on the right, with an RMS power rating of 1000 watts, has a much beefier design and structure than the one on the left, with an RMS rating of 250 watts. Even the toughest sub, however, can be damaged by excessive distortion from a clipped signal. |
When the volume is turned up and the amp doesn't have enough power, the signal becomes distorted, or "clipped." This distorted signal can cause parts of the speaker to overheat, warp and melt. Not good!
You don't have to match speaker and amp wattages exactly. An amp with a higher output than the speaker's rating won't necessarily damage the speaker — just turn the amp down a bit if you hear distortion from the sub and don't run the speaker at extremely loud volumes for lengthy periods. Likewise, you'll be OK with a lower powered amp if you keep the volume down and don't feed a distorted signal to the sub.
What's right for you?
The sub and amp you need depends on what you want to hear. If you plan on listening to music at moderate volume levels or have a smaller car, a subwoofer with a lower power handling rating, say 100 to 250 watts, and a matching amp is a good combo.
If you want it loud, step it up! Buy subs that are rated to handle high wattage, at least 250 watts or more, and power them properly. If you try to skimp on one or the other, you risk poor sound and damaged speakers.
