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Will underpowering subs do them damage? 

 

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 Post subject: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 3:47 pm 
Oompa Loompa
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Hey all!

I was just wondering, if it is possible to damage subs if they are SERIOUSLY underpowered.

I have two Fusion Powerplant ~600w RMS amplifiers,
I previously had two 12" Fusion Powerplants, but I am now upgrading my whole boot install and with two new Fusion 15" FCW-15's 2000w RMS each.

Now for the time being I was going to run them 15s on the previous amps I had with the 12's, but I'm worried about damaging these expensive subs. I know that they could be damaged if it was to be a crappy set of amp, but they're not. Also If I understand right that If I had it turned up to loud, the distortion could kill the subs too, is that correct?

All help is appreciated :)

Cheers!

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:13 pm 
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I would think it should be safe, provided you set the amp or play at a moderate level. I guess it would be good for the subs too since they will wear in slowly.

Clipping of the amp can damage the subs...so as long as you don't play it at stupid levels at which the amp cannot handle, I think you should be safe...

but I'm no expert...so don't quote me.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:55 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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2000wrms 15s. Jesus.
I wouldntt be running them off 600wrms amps.
Im running a 500wrms sub off a 200wrm amp and I still am sus on that.
I just keep the gain low tho.
if you do hook them up remember how underpowered they are and don't even try to bump down the street.
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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:41 pm 
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Under powering itself isn't the problem. it's the clipping that results from turning the amp right up that causes the death of subs.

With a amp more powerful than the sub, you'll hear distortion first so know to turn it down. Over powering is nowhere near as dangerous - ask any SPL entrant, running 20,000w into a sub. For a few seconds it's fine.

Under powering a sub with a clipped signal will result in burnt voice coils quickly.


Being 2000W capable subs, they won't be very loud on only 600W (depending if the amp can actually deliver 600W into a single sub, most can only make their rated power at 1Ohm or less, which depending on those subs will either be 2ohm or 1ohm). So you may be more included to turn it right up, which = bad thing™

Now without specific model numbers, I can't provide any more specific info, but from my quicker perusal of the Fusion site, a lot of their gear is overrated garbage. So I would be worried about killing it. (FWIW serious car audio competitors don't use Fusion).

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:28 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Yea im thinking 2000wrms is a bit of a gross exageration.
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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:10 am 
Oompa Loompa
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The subs are 2000wrms, just google "Fusion FCW-15". They're fusion's range of competition subwoofers. They come sold with a re-coil as well. I've seen one of these subs inside a Falcon pull 145's, which really is all I'll ever want. :) But I'm hoping to pull atleast a 147-148 with the extra sub and better amps, but I just can't really afford the amps atm.

I know it's not the conventional SPL gear, but I simply like the brand name and the look of their products, and the fact that they are better than most commercial brands like Pioneer, Clarion or Sony. I would go something like Digital Designs, or Ground Zero, but they're super expensive :shock:

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll just keep the amps turned down and the volume to a resonable level and no comps until I get new amps 8-)

Cheers!

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:36 am 
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{USERNAME} wrote:
Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll just keep the amps turned down and the volume to a resonable level and no comps until I get new amps 8-)

Cheers!


Good idea.

So you're looking at getting into SPL seriously?

Being from Wollongong you've got Australia's record holder (in a couple of classes) as a local.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:53 am 
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{USERNAME} wrote:
{USERNAME} wrote:
Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'll just keep the amps turned down and the volume to a resonable level and no comps until I get new amps 8-)

Cheers!


Good idea.

So you're looking at getting into SPL seriously?

Being from Wollongong you've got Australia's record holder (in a couple of classes) as a local.


Yeah, mates with Billy and just know Ali a little. And up and coming Josh with his bombodore.

Í'm buying all my gear from Frankies.
Billy might be building my box for the subs.

But other than that, I just wanted some others opinions on what to do with the subs and the small amps.

Looks like I'll just stick with leaving the volume down low :)

Thanks for the help!

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:56 am 
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Well you've got all the help in the world 'next door'.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:15 am 
Oompa Loompa
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{USERNAME} wrote:
Well you've got all the help in the world 'next door'.


Cheers mate :mrgreen:

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:03 pm 
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The most likely problem you may encounter is trying to overpower the amps. As you've stated, the amps a seriously undersized, if you try to drive your subs harder/louder, you'll end up amplifying the distortion, which is what kills them.

Try and keep it to a low level and you'll be right. I'd suggest though, wire to accomodate a larger more powerful amp and instal one when you can. You're better off having an amp that is too big than one that is too small..

Good luck...
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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:30 am 
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{USERNAME} wrote:
I know it's not the conventional SPL gear, but I simply like the brand name and the look of their products, and the fact that they are better than most commercial brands like Pioneer, Clarion or Sony.

Pioneer goes alright in SPL... {DESCRIPTION}
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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:42 am 
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Covered this similar topic a couple of months ago

ford-audio-visual-f5/clarion-t97979.html?hilit=clipping

I couldn't explain but I'd only be re-writing this topic so do enjoy the read...

Cheers,
Tim

 

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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:26 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Well then that's a f**k of power. I don't get it.
I pulled 139 with a single kicker crv12" bridged to 2ohm running off a 800wrms OA mono. $270 sub. $280 amp. $180 box.
Under a grand for 139db. Under 1000wrms.
Why go so much power.
Just end up having to buy bigger amps, wiring, caps.
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 Post subject: Re: Will underpowering subs do them damage?
Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 12:21 pm 
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{USERNAME} wrote:
{USERNAME} wrote:
I know it's not the conventional SPL gear, but I simply like the brand name and the look of their products, and the fact that they are better than most commercial brands like Pioneer, Clarion or Sony.

Pioneer goes alright in SPL... {DESCRIPTION}


Read through the comments, to the actual record holder (set years before that Pioneer one - dodgy reporting).

1 sub, 4 amps for 180dB, vs Pioneers 13 subs and 52 amps for only 176dB (which is less than half as loud as 180db). Sounds like epic fail to me.

 

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