Power Handling, VS. Ohm Loads

[Waterwookiee]

OK, I may just be a search retard but.........

I know if you run two 4 ohm subs it will (can) provide a 2 ohm load to the amp.

I also understand why my amp can give 350w at 2ohms and only 200w at 4 ohms.

I've read all the tutorials and whatnot, and I have a good idea of what is going on.

If I have two 150W RMS/ 4 ohms. wired to provide a two ohm load,....

What is the final RMS power handeling of my system....... 150W or 300W?

I am debating between two 8" or one 10" DVC subs.....

School me, audio gurus.....

[LiquidClen]

Your final RMS would be whatever your amp puts out - in this case 350W

[Waterwookiee]

Thanks, but I was wondering the power capabilities of the speakers, not the amp.

If I wire two 150W speakers at 4 ohms, therefore opening up my amp to a 2 ohm load, which in turn allows my amp to provide 350W, will I be sending twice the power the speakers can handle (350w out of the amp, into speaker at 150w each), or close to a match because 2 x 150w = 300w (dividing the 350w out of the amp, into two speakers).....??

Also, (short version) what effect does box size on the power rating of a speaker? (assuming you stay within the range provided by the manufacturer? Small = less power, or large = more power?

I noticed on Kicker's site, that the RMS changes based on box volume....

[LiquidClen]

No you will not be sending twice the power the speakers can handle. You will be sending ~175W to each speaker.

Box size also helps a speaker get louder (in effect). A larger box requires less W to the speaker from the amp, while a small box requires more. More or less anyway

[Waterwookiee]

You're the man! Thanks dude!

BTW, what is that on your avitar?

[Mr Marv]

Generally speaking it will take less power for a speaker to reach full excursion in the larger enclosure so depending on the situation the RMS power handling of that speaker could be lessened. Also, the larger enclosure will generally produce more "low end" and the smaller one will produce more "upper bass".

[LiquidClen]

Thanks for the beter explanation Marv. I was in a hurry when i typed these replies.

My avatar is Domo Kun, a Japanese cell phone mascot (I think)

[Type699]

Wait! Hold on a second. Your amp, is that a 1 channel or 2 channel???

If it's a two channel that you've bridged, each channel of the amplifier actually "sees" 1/2 of that load. So if you wire up a 2 ohm load to the amp in bridged mode, it's actually seeing a 1 ohm load on each channel. Not too many amps out there will survive very long with that load hooked up to it.

[Beaver]

MAximum power transfer from the amp to speakers is when the output impedance and speaker impedance match. ie both 4 ohms. If they are unmatched you will get reflectance of your signal back from the speakers to your final output stage of your amp. If run loud for a long period you can cook your amp.