Notices
Audio & Video Systems, Navigation, Satellite Radio & Mobile Electronics
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

ohms?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 22, 2003 | 08:21 PM
  #1  
xxxcre10xxx's Avatar
xxxcre10xxx
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: USA
ohms?

Do ohms play a big role in loudness and sound quality? Say I have two dvc 4 ohms subs. How much difference would there be if i wired them at 1ohm on a mono amp or on a two channel 4 ohm amp bridged or in two channel mode? I am wondering because it is cheaper to get a 2 channel amp that runs mono at a powerful 4 ohms than to buy a mono amp that runs powerful at 2ohm and kind of weak at 4ohm. I am referring to the rockford fosgate bd500 that is 250watts a 4ohm and 500 at 2ohm and also the 500s that runs like 250x2 at 2ohm or 500 at 4ohm.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2003 | 03:17 AM
  #2  
Tempe's Avatar
Tempe
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Good ole U S of A
ohms?

You pretty much need to follow the rules of the particular amp. You really should not drop the impedence below what the manufacturer rates the amp. For RF 2-channel amps, you should not present a load lower than 4 ohms mono. For their monoblock amps, the lowest rated impedence is 2 ohms. Of course, people have had success with lower impedences. Now doing that will not only void your warranty, but it may fry your amp.

If you DO have two dual 4 ohm subs, get the 2-channel amp. Wire each sub in series and wire the two subs in parallel.

Tempe
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2003 | 11:59 AM
  #3  
xxxcre10xxx's Avatar
xxxcre10xxx
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: USA
ohms?

Which would be louder two fosgate he2 dual voice coils running at two ohms or two fosgate he2 dual voice coils running at 4ohms? Im not sure what to get. If i get the 2ohm then i will get a mono amp but if i get the 4ohm speakers then i will get a two channel amp. i will most likely use a fosgate amp.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2003 | 03:32 PM
  #4  
Tempe's Avatar
Tempe
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Good ole U S of A
ohms?

For a dual 4 ohm sub, here are your wiring options:
  • Parallel/parallel: 1 ohm
  • Series/parallel: 4 ohms
  • Series/series: 16 ohms

There is no way you can get a 2 ohms mono load with those subs. If you want those particular subs, you need to get a 2 channel amp.

Tempe
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2003 | 07:46 PM
  #5  
xxxcre10xxx's Avatar
xxxcre10xxx
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: USA
ohms?

I'm not asking whether or not I can wire them to two ohms because I know I can. A dvc sub can be wired in 2ohm or .5 ohm while a 4ohm dvc sub can be at 1ohm or 4ohm. My question is which will be louder two subs in 2ohm or two subs in four ohm using a mono amp on the 2ohm and a 2channel amp running mono on the 4ohm subs.
 
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2003 | 10:34 PM
  #6  
Tempe's Avatar
Tempe
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Good ole U S of A
ohms?

Originally posted by xxxcre10xxx
I'm not asking whether or not I can wire them to two ohms because I know I can. A dvc sub can be wired in 2ohm or .5 ohm while a 4ohm dvc sub can be at 1ohm or 4ohm.
Bud, I'm trying to help you out here. The information I posted in my last reply answers your question. Those subs are ONLY offered in a dual 4 ohm coil. To get a sub that will do either 2 ohm or 0.5, you would need a dual 1 ohm sub, now wouldn't you.

Tempe
 
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2003 | 12:18 PM
  #7  
optikal illushun's Avatar
optikal illushun
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
ohms?

dunno if this will help but ohms dont play a major role in sound quality, all it basically does is tell the amp what wattage to put out...and DVC offers a different range of wiring options to reach peak output...
 
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2003 | 03:33 PM
  #8  
xxxcre10xxx's Avatar
xxxcre10xxx
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: USA
ohms?

Crutchfield has them in 2ohm and 4 ohm. I was asking because I don't know which one to get. I didn't know if one would be louder or better even though they are the same subs but different ohms. Will the 4ohm be basically the same as the 2ohm?

Also I have two jl audio 6's that are dvc 6 ohm. What would be the best amp for them? Is there anyway i could run them with a two channel amp? I can wire them at 1.5ohm or 6ohm. I dont want to get a 1ohm stable amp. I would like to use a 2channel amp on them.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 24, 2003 | 09:28 PM
  #9  
Tempe's Avatar
Tempe
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Good ole U S of A
ohms?

Originally posted by xxxcre10xxx
Crutchfield has them in 2ohm and 4 ohm.
RF HE2 subs at crutchfield.com

I apologize for my previous replies. I did not know that when RF updated that particular line that they had added an option for a dual 2 ohm coil. I even broke out my RF catalog to make sure of my information when I typed those posts.

Thanks for pointing that out to me.

As far as your situation, pick an amp that you want. Once you decide on which amp you want, choose the appropriate sub impedence. It's that simple.

Tempe
 
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2003 | 10:31 PM
  #10  
xxxcre10xxx's Avatar
xxxcre10xxx
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: USA
ohms?

will I hurt the jl subs any if I wire them to be at 6ohm and then run a two channel amp on them in bridged or two way?
 
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2003 | 10:43 PM
  #11  
optikal illushun's Avatar
optikal illushun
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
ohms?

wont really matter to the subs since the sub tells the amp how much power to put out. i would stick with a JL amp for JL subs since they put out the watts they say from 4-1ohm...also i think audiobahn has a 3ohm stable amp. most amps dont like being run under 4ohms bridged...
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2003 | 09:21 PM
  #12  
smokey6309028's Avatar
smokey6309028
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
ohms?

Optikal is very correct about ohms not affecting sound quality. The ohms are a rating for the impedance of a speaker. The lower the impedance(ohms) themore power that speaker will draw from the amplifier it is connected to. And more wattage from the amplifier = louder sound from your speakers. This is what i would do:
First, pick out the amplifier that you want.
Then, match the speakers (single/dual voice coils) to the amplifier.
Make sure that your selected amplifier can run the load you plan on using it at ( 4ohms/2ohms/1ohm)
Like optikal was saying, the ONLY advantage to running dual voice coil subs is that they can offer more wiring options than a single voice coil speaker.
You can wire a DVC speaker in parallel, in series, or run both coils to seperate channels of an amplifier.
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 02:44 PM
  #13  
Detroit_Player's Avatar
Detroit_Player
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Detroit
ohms?

Wiring your speakers at 2ohm or 4ohm will not make them louder.

When your talking about wiring at 2 ohm or 4 ohm or even 1 ohm, get the speaker idea out of your head, and concentrate on the amp. You are basically changing the load on the outputs

As stated above, decide on an amp then figure out wiring.

If you have a 2 channel amp that is rated for 150x2 RMS at 4 ohms, and rated 400x1 bridged at 2 ohms, then you'll get more power out of the amp by wiring the speakers at 2 ohms and using the bridged option.

Don't forget to take into the account that some amps will run 2 channels at 2 ohms, and may put out more power that way then 2ohm briged. For example 150x2 RMS at 4 ohms, 200x2 RMS at 2 ohms. I would prefer to run 2 channels. In my experience, it keeps the amp cooler.
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 03:39 PM
  #14  
optikal illushun's Avatar
optikal illushun
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 4
From: Coal Region
ohms?

skip 2 channel and go directly to mono channel (or sometimes refered to sub amp). more efficent and is better suited for powering sub-woofers. most mono channel amps are class D and are really efficent and can run cooler, harder and longer then others powering woofers when wired properly. efficency rating go class A, class B, class A/B, class D and class T. also most amps dont like being ran at 2 ohms bridged. reason the lower ohms produce more power is less resistance. as ohm number goes down resistance also goes down.

i would highly consider looking into a mono channel amp such as the JBL BP, MTX D, and RF BD series. there are a lot more names out there but those the few that come to mind at this moment.
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2003 | 08:32 PM
  #15  
smokey6309028's Avatar
smokey6309028
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
ohms?

I also recommend the JBL BP series. GREAT bang for the buck, ang damn good sound quality to boot.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:29 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE