combining subs, amps, wattage? confuzzle

[CamrySExxx]

Hey guy's I have been wondering about this question for a while but i never really looked it up or needed to but my situation is ...

Say you have 2 4ohm subs. Here are jut some numbers, lets say its rated at 400wrms and 800w peak.

You have a amp that produces 200w x1 @ 4ohm or 400w x 1 at 2ohm. (just using a mono amp for the example)

So if you used just the one sub than your running it at 4ohm and giving it 200w.

But if it was 2ohm than it would be getting 400w. So say i combine both subs so they become 2ohm. Here is my problem. What exactly happens, does both subs actually get fed 400w? or is it split between the 2 like 200w each? or does both subs actually add up to 800wrms? you guys see what I'm getting at?

[MHSD]

your subs will see 200 watts each. at 2ohms.

[CamrySExxx]

Originally Posted by MHSD

your subs will see 200 watts each. at 2ohms.

k makes sense. So in a dual voice coil sub that is lets say 500wrms... If i wired them to 2 ohms than in reality each coil is getting 250wrms?

Since there is 2 coils than the sub is 500w ?

Making sense now Thanks

[MrSo0h0o]

here is a very helpful utility i used when i first started in car audio.. as a matter of fact, it still comes in handy!

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/rftech/woofer_wizard.asp

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

k makes sense. So in a dual voice coil sub that is lets say 500wrms... If i wired them to 2 ohms than in reality each coil is getting 250wrms?

Since there is 2 coils than the sub is 500w ?

Making sense now Thanks

Only if your amp can output 500W @ 2 ohms. If you are using the same amp from above post, then then there's 200W to each coil because the power comes from the amp. The watt ratings on the sub are just power handling characteristics.

[CamrySExxx]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

Only if your amp can output 500W @ 2 ohms. If you are using the same amp from above post, then then there's 200W to each coil because the power comes from the amp. The watt ratings on the sub are just power handling characteristics.

Oh yeah i forgot to mention that if the sub were to get the full 500wrms than each coil would get 250w. Which adds up to the 500w they would advertise?

And i just made all of those numbers up but I got my answer. Thanks guys.

Now im on a quest to find a nice decent cheap dvc sub.

[JMSports]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

800w peak.

You never count peak power.

And make sure your headunit can handle the Ohm's.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

Oh yeah i forgot to mention that if the sub were to get the full 500wrms than each coil would get 250w. Which adds up to the 500w they would advertise?

And i just made all of those numbers up but I got my answer. Thanks guys.

Now im on a quest to find a nice decent cheap dvc sub.

Not the cheapest out there, but I highly recommend Image Dynamics ID10 or ID12. Also keep in mind more power doesn't always translate into louder subs.