Subs and Amps...
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Coleman, Wisconsin
Subs and Amps...
Is it possible to hook up a subwoofer without running an amp? I'd like to run it without an amp just because I don't feel like spending any more money. If it's possible, where do you hook them up to? Splice into speaker wires?? I'm clueless....
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From: Chatsworth, CA
yeah it would be pointless to run a sub without an amp. most subs require at least 100 RMS watts to run and your head unit only puts out maybe 20 watts RMS. It will work but won't hit at all. I would recommend a powered sub box like a bazooka tube or the infinity. they aren't cheap but cheaper than buying a seperate amp and sub.
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From: Central Ohio
I also wouldn't recommend it, but it can be done. If you were to do it, you should be fair in your expectations of the results. The bass output will NOT be astounding. Since you evidently don't want bone-crushing bass just yet, you could get a pair of 6 1/2" subs, use a passive filter system to pass only the low frequencies to the subs, and hook them to your rear speaker outputs of the head unit. Run a pair of "main" speakers off the front and the subs off the rear. DO NOT do any parallel hook-ups on your head unit, or it could bite the big one. In other words, if you are running two pairs of "mains", do NOT try to hook into the existing speaker wiring. Remove the rear pair of speakers and use the subs in their place. There are some very efficient 6 1/2s that will blend pretty well, especially since the entire system is running from the HU. Be sure to check on 6 1/2" subs, not mid-woofers or mid-ranges. They are not the same thing. You may find out that, in the long run, you would be better to just buy an amp. The trouble you will go to to get this done just won't be worth the payoff, in my opinion.
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Elder User
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From: Coleman, Wisconsin
Well, I guess after what I just read I'll be better off just getting an amp. My brother has a spare 600 watt amp laying around and I was thinking about using that, but my single 10inch sub only has 300watt max. power handling. Is that amp too big??
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From: Chatsworth, CA
depends on how many channels it is. if its a mono sub amp forget it. if its a two channel just get another 10" sub. you need to look though and see what the RMS watts are not the max. check out crutchfield they have a listing of alot of amps and subs and see where those two fall in between.
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From: Central Ohio
Originally Posted by Boss50
Well, I guess after what I just read I'll be better off just getting an amp. My brother has a spare 600 watt amp laying around and I was thinking about using that, but my single 10inch sub only has 300watt max. power handling. Is that amp too big??
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From: Central Ohio
If you hook your sub to one UNBRIDGED channel of that amp, it will be fine. Sounds as though it is capable of 300 watts max and 150 watts RMS per channel in 2 channel operation. That's a pretty good match for your sub. You do NOT have to bridge an amp to use it with subs, and you do NOT have to use both channels, although it is rare not to. You would never buy new equipment with the intention of doing this, of course, but, in this case where you are trying to use what's available, it will be fine. Maybe you could find another sub like the one you have and add it to your system at some point, if you have the space.
