Amplifier for Audiobahn Bandpass Enclosure?

[PSYS]

Found a decent deal on craigslist for an Audiobahn ABP102J bandpass enclosure with (2) 10" subs...

I looked online and found these specs for the enclosure:

•Sensitivity: 102 dB
•RMS Power Range : 600 Watts
•Impedance: 4 Ohm
•Frequency response: 32-1000 Hz
•Enclosure Type: Bandpass

I wasn't even initially going to start with putting a stereo in my Yaris, but it's a good deal and the guy hasn't had any other offers. I don't want to spend thousands on a stereo system.

I'm hoping someone here at YW could offer up a recommendation for an amp for this enclosure. I don't want the $99.00 Wal-Mart special... and I don't want to spend thousands. But I would like an amp that will adequately power this subwoofer enclosure.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Alien Mantis]

Look at this one:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...RX1000.1D.html

They are selling these for $149 right now.

[PSYS]

OK. I'll try and not get carried away here. Coincidentally enough, I was just surfing back and forth between sonic and a couple of other sights and was looking at the monoblock amps.

So... the Audiobahn website states the bandpass enclosure is rated at 600W RMS. That's 300W RMS per sub.

The HiFonics ZRX1000.1D is rated 475W x 1 @ 4 ohms.

How would I be wiring this enclosure to get the most out of the amp as well as the subs...?

[_S7V7N_]

Psys do a bit of research. This box has a 2 subs each with an impedance of 4 ohms. ( Look up the terms impedance/ohms) When connected to a Mono amp it will drop the impedance to 2 ohms.

How much did you pay for these subs ?

For an amp i used a cheap Audiopipe APSM 1500. You can find them for about 112 bucks. If you want one lemme know and i'll find a discount code.

What i'd recommend for you is the APSM 1300. That one will run right under 100 bucks and do rated power.

[PSYS]

Well, it's actually (2) Audiobahn subs in a prefabricated Audiobahn band pass enclosure. It honestly looks brand new as the gentleman advised he only had it in his car for about two months. He sold the vehicle and bought a pick-up truck... it looks like it's about $289 - $315 according to a few different websites. I picked it up for $140

Wouldn't it be easiest for me to get a standard 2-channel amplifier if the monoblock won't work with these subs/enclosure...? Is there something reasonable out there as far 2-channel amps go that will adequately push these things...?

[_S7V7N_]

I haven't used a 2 channel for subs since maybe ? 2004.

For a hundred bucks and some change you can get a decent 1500 watt amp that will push pretty much anything you can find on craigslist.

With being said i can't recommend a 2 channel. I believe at least 90 percent of us use Mono amps for subs nowadays.

[PSYS]

Got'cha!

Well, if all the cool kids in the sandbox are using monoblocks to drive subs these days... then that's the way I wanna roll, too, dammit!

I'll be the first to admit that I'll need to brush up on my impedance / ohms worksheets. I had ASSumed that a monoblock amp wouldn't work with this enclosure due to it having (2) SVC 4-ohm subs. With the monoblock essentially dropping the impedance of the subs to 2-ohms, I ASSumed that would be bad and should not go that route.

Could you PM me the information regarding the Audiopipe amps...? Looks like the HiFonics that Alien quoted above can also be had relatively cheap. (under $175.00)

[_S7V7N_]

Vminnovations.com

I'm not on my pc. But if you cant find it by the time i get home later on i'll send a direct link.

Audiopipe apsm1500

Nvm did a quicksearch on my phone and got a link. Give me a sec and i'll get you a discount code.

http://www.vminnovations.com/Product...mplifier-.html

[Alien Mantis]

Originally Posted by PSYS

Well, if all the cool kids in the sandbox are using monoblocks to drive subs these days... then that's the way I wanna roll, too, dammit!
I'll be the first to admit that I'll need to brush up on my impedance / ohms worksheets. I had ASSumed that a monoblock amp wouldn't work with this enclosure due to it having (2) SVC 4-ohm subs. With the monoblock essentially dropping the impedance of the subs to 2-ohms, I ASSumed that would be bad and should not go that route.

You are wrong, but that's okay. We'll get it sorted out.

A monoblock amp can drive more than one speaker, it all depends on the ohm loading of the entire configuration.
The way you choose to wire the speakers also determines the final ohm load. You can wire speakers in series or parallel.
If you wire your two "single-4-ohm voice coil" subs in parallel, you get a 2-ohm final load. The AMP never determines the ohm load. The speaker(s) and how they are wired together determine the ohm load.
If you wire your two subs in series, you will get an 8ohm load.
Once you have your load factor determined, you can look at an amp to see what it can deliver at your particular OHM rating.
Most modern ClassD monoblock amps can deliver power to an 8ohm, 4ohm, or 2ohm load. Some higher quality amps can also supply power to a 1ohm load.
Some amps need a minimum of 2ohm load to be stable.
An amp can deliver power to an 8ohm load, but it will be LESS power.
The higher the OHM load, the less power the amp can deliver.
We try to strike a balance between power and efficiency with our amps and drivers. Most bass setups are a final 2ohm load.
Next we look at the RMS power requirements for the subs we are using, and select an amp that will deliver this power at the load rating we are using.
If a subwoofer can handle 350watts RMS max, and we are running TWO of them, then we need to find an amp that can deliver around 600-700 watts RMS.
The enclosure also plays a factor in which amp to choose.
A sealed box can control higher power. A ported or band-pass box will not control excessive power at the subwoofers. So you must be careful not to overdrive them in that enclosure.
You can always run a stronger amp than what your subs are rated at, because you can always adjust the amp's GAIN lower.
If your amp is too small for the subs you are running, you cannot simply turn the GAIN up more. This will cause clipping, and you will overheat your system.
It is safe to buy an amp that has slightly less power than the max rating of your subs. This way you can drive them hard, without worrying about accidentally overdriving them. They will run cool and last a long time.
If your two subs are rated at 300watts RMS each, and you have them in a ported box, and they are wired at a final load of 2ohms, then you can buy an amp that delivers 500watts RMS at a 2ohm load and be happy.
It will work fine. ( Especially if it is a good quality amp. )
If you want to run a smaller amp, then you need to choose subs that are more efficient, and require less power.
It helps to first decide what you are trying to accomplish, then choose ALL your components according to that master plan. Components that match and compliment each other.
Whatever you choose, always use the proper wiring.
Bad wiring can ruin good compenents. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Choose good components, run good wiring.