Running a Z15 DVC4 off a SAE1000D

[Third Eye Vision 0]

I'm picking up a pair of Z15's off a guy on the forums here. Due to trunk space and lack of a HO Alt I'm only going to be running one of them and either selling the other or keeping it as a spare. Since they're dvc4 I can only run it at 2 ohms on the amp, and the product manual states that the amp does 600w at 2 ohms. Will there be a large downgrade in performance running them this low? Right now I'm running 2 shitty 12s at a 4 ohm load, and since the manual states that it does 300 @ 4ohm, I dmm'd it at 300. I'm hoping that the z15 on twice the power will blow the 12's out of the water. But by giving the sub just over half its RMS, am I severely limiting it's potential? Obviously it was made to handle 1000w, but do I have to push that number to get good performance from it? Probably a "noob" question for most of you guys, just don't want to be disappointed and you all seem to have worked with various subwoofer/amplifier setups.

[jcarter1885 995]

There is no problem with underpowering a subwoofer at all, you will be fine with 600 watts.

[thebiggmann12 14]

make sure ur not clipping and u will be fine

[Third Eye Vision 0]

Thanks for the replies, as far as clipping I was under the impression that the sundown amps were underrated. So I figured I would be in the clear as long as I didn't exceed their recommendations, right now I have the 4 ohm load at 34-35 on the DMM. How are you liking your Z15 jaycee? I don't got the cash for a ported box yet so I'm just gonna run it in a prefab sealed. I just bought the sundown amp last month and I sent out the M.O. on the Z15's this morning so it will be a bit before I can get the ported enclosure.

[BanginGMC 23]

Thanks for the replies, as far as clipping I was under the impression that the sundown amps were underrated. So I figured I would be in the clear as long as I didn't exceed their recommendations, right now I have the 4 ohm load at 34-35 on the DMM. How are you liking your Z15 jaycee? I don't got the cash for a ported box yet so I'm just gonna run it in a prefab sealed. I just bought the sundown amp last month and I sent out the M.O. on the Z15's this morning so it will be a bit before I can get the ported enclosure.

If it does not meet the amount of air needed it will sound like and make you want to

[jcarter1885 995]

I honestly havent heard the Z15 in a box yet, I finally hooked it up to one channel on my SAX-125.2 for about 5 minutes today and did a little free air but that was it. Clipping has nothing to do if an amp is underrated or not, it will clip regardless. Prefab sealed boxes shouldnt be bad as long as it fits the enclosure size recommended so you should be cool.

[Third Eye Vision 0]

i checked out sa's page and it said it should be fine in 2-2.5 sealed box, one box I was looking at is 2.2 unless this calculator is wrong. Sonic Sub Boxes 1H15-2.0 (1h1520) - 15" Sealed Subwoofer Enclosures - Sonic Electronix , the site lists 2.0, but I punched in the specs on Speaker Enclosure Volume Calculator under the angled woofer enclosures ans came up with 2.2

[Sir-Lancelot 216]

Dont forget to subtract the volume of the sub from than space. That will prolly get you down to 2 or just under, but You could add some polyfill if you need too.

[Third Eye Vision 0]

thats a good point i forgot to subtract the sub volume. i got a shitload of polyfill, i think about 2 pounds of it in my box right now for my 12s so i will use that stuff.

[CrazyKenKid 64]

build your own box!! they are fun plus it is a sealed box so it is EASY to do!!! hell go ported if you ggot the room!!!!!

wait doesn't ssa do sub boxes now??? also i just read you were going to go ported but didn/t have the extra money but seriesly how much does it cost to go ported? piece of mdf 30$ plus screws and glue...and carpet/paint (whihc you don't need jsut makes it look better)

plus when you buy the sheet at home depot they can do all the cuts for you! just tossing that out there for you. and if you need help on a sub box design you cna post here or send me a p/m!!

[Third Eye Vision 0]

i live in an apartment so i have no garage, saws, clamps or anything like that. so when i say going ported i mean purchasing a ported box from one of the builders on here. and they look to be about 200 bucks before shipping. maybe in the future id look into building my own ported box but for now im just gonna leave it to one of the experienced builders on here. prefab sealed boxes are like 30 bucks so i figured that would be less expensive than buying wood and tools, and that will hold me over til i got cash for ported. the other thing is ive only ran sealed boxes, never heard a ported in person, so just running this in a sealed box will sound better than my last setup.

[jcarter1885 995]

Sounds like you have a nice plan so go with the sealed box until you can buy or even make your own ported box. Just make sure your sealed enclosure is within the recommended enclosure size and you factor in the displacement = 0.19ft^3.