subwoofer question
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
subwoofer question
OK, I am wondering if I can run one 10" subwoofer off of my cd head unit and not have to buy an amp. The cd head unit is 45x4. It is currently running only two six inch speakers, so could the rest be enough to run one sub? thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Highland, TX
It will work, that is you will get sound out of the sub, but the volume will be very weak. Depending on the brand and model of sub, most manufacturers generally recommend driving the sub with an amp rated for at least 200W, which requires the use of an external amp. Subwoofers are relatively large and require a substantial amount of power to drive them, power which no head unit can provide. I have a 10" sub in my Ranger that I am driving with a 300W amp.
As I said in another post, it is important to emphasize that your head unit is in reality NOT putting out 45Wx4, even though that is what it may say on the faceplate.
Quote from www.caraudiohelp.com...
"The number printed on the face of the receiver is usually a large exaggeration. Most receivers actually have between three and fifteen watts RMS per channel."
The 45Wx4 rating is the PEAK power that the head unit can deliver over only a very brief period of time. The RMS power is the power the head unit can deliver on average, over a long period of time and is a better indicator of usable power. The RMS power rating is always much lower than the peak power rating.
You can read this webpage for conformation on what I just said...
http://www.bcae1.com/voltages.htm
As I said in another post, it is important to emphasize that your head unit is in reality NOT putting out 45Wx4, even though that is what it may say on the faceplate.
Quote from www.caraudiohelp.com...
"The number printed on the face of the receiver is usually a large exaggeration. Most receivers actually have between three and fifteen watts RMS per channel."
The 45Wx4 rating is the PEAK power that the head unit can deliver over only a very brief period of time. The RMS power is the power the head unit can deliver on average, over a long period of time and is a better indicator of usable power. The RMS power rating is always much lower than the peak power rating.
You can read this webpage for conformation on what I just said...
http://www.bcae1.com/voltages.htm
Last edited by kontai69; Aug 7, 2004 at 07:15 PM.
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Also, without a crossover or an amp with a built in crossover you will get FULL sound instead of just the bass notes. This usually causes it to sound distorted.
I have two different 2-channel amps that I don't use. If you're looking for a cheap one to buy let me know.
-Eric
I have two different 2-channel amps that I don't use. If you're looking for a cheap one to buy let me know.
-Eric
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
Yes, it is possible to do this, but it certainly would not be worth the trouble. Like kontai69 said, you could get a signal to the speaker and that would be about it. And you would have to have a passive low-pass filter. The objective of a system should be to achieve a nice balance between the "main speakers" and subs. With what you suggest, the ability for system tuning or adjustment to attain that balance is almost nonexistant. And if you are interested in heavy bass and not system balance, then there is no way this is the way to go.
