Under-powering an SA-12?

[Moofs 1]

From all of you who have run an SA-12. How will they run off of 500rms? I heard while they are rated at 600rms they need a little more than that to get moving well. But my car has a small alternator and I think 500rms is about what I can pull off safety.

I just worry it wont be enough.

[ssh 924]

That's plenty, you could run even less.

[Moofs 1]

That's plenty, you could run even less.

thanks, I'm having someone build my box to so maybe they can make it a little larger to make up for the lack of power. Ideally I'd want to run 750rms to it but I dont want to deal with issues down the road.

plus kicker sells this 500rms amp that apparently has a rly small footprint and is pretty efficient which I'd like to run.

Edited October 31, 2011 by Moofs

[ricksi30 923]

500 Rms is plenty.

[ssh 924]

That's plenty, you could run even less.

thanks, I'm having someone build my box to so maybe they can make it a little larger to make up for the lack of power. Ideally I'd want to run 750rms to it but I dont want to deal with issues down the road.

plus kicker sells this 500rms amp that apparently has a rly small footprint and is pretty efficient which I'd like to run.

Don't get caught up with numbers, your going to be hard pressed to notice a difference between 500watts and 750watts (really wouldn't be able to tell). Not to mention those numbers don't actually mean your drivers will be receiving anywhere near that power for very long.

Larger enclosure volume increases efficiency, if you have the room for it.

[Moofs 1]

That's plenty, you could run even less.

thanks, I'm having someone build my box to so maybe they can make it a little larger to make up for the lack of power. Ideally I'd want to run 750rms to it but I dont want to deal with issues down the road.

plus kicker sells this 500rms amp that apparently has a rly small footprint and is pretty efficient which I'd like to run.

Don't get caught up with numbers, your going to be hard pressed to notice a difference between 500watts and 750watts (really wouldn't be able to tell). Not to mention those numbers don't actually mean your drivers will be receiving anywhere near that power for very long.

Larger enclosure volume increases efficiency, if you have the room for it.

haha I think I can handle that box size, I'll just never use my trunk.

I could care less about numbers in terms of db's, I'm just using this for a fun system to listen too. My last system was a 250rms wal-mart sub in a sealed prefab, and I thought that even got kinda loud when turned up. So I'm sure 500rms with an sa-12 will make me happy. I'm just concerned that I'm giving it enough power to play well, especially the lows which I hear take the most power.

[Freshh 11]

No such thing as underpowering. That'll be plenty loud I'm sure.

[B_I_B 1]

It will be fine and making the box bigger will help with efficiency, although you might want to put more power to it down the road to see it's true potential. What kind of car do you have?

[Moofs 1]

I just sold my car which I bought previous equipment for. So now I'm waiting to place everything into a new car. Depending on the cars alternator size, I'll either get a 500 or 750 rms amp. If its something small like a honda that has a 70amp alt, I dont think I can pull off a 750rms plus my 2 channel. I feel on top of regular electrical, my voltage will drop off by a lot.

So I'm waiting on the new car to buy the amp which is the last thing I need.

I've just read a lot of threads that have ppl saying you need 800-1000rms to get the SA-12 moving. As long as 500rms can play well enough and can handle playing low notes, I dont rly care about hitting a certain number of DB's. This is a daily setup. I just bought a set of aura components and those r the only other speakers I'll be running with this sub.

[///M5 2,833]

I've just read a lot of threads that have ppl saying you need 800-1000rms to get the SA-12 moving.

You've read comments by a lot of idiots.

[SundownSaz1500 0]

Why don't you just add a battery in the back ? Itll help with voltage drop, even if it is only a small one, and it won't put as much strain on your alt.

[Moofs 1]

Why don't you just add a battery in the back ? Itll help with voltage drop, even if it is only a small one, and it won't put as much strain on your alt.

I mean, wont that put even more strain on my alt? What exactly do I need to run a 2nd bat. I need another run of 0g. A battery, and a regulator right, since if they arnt the same size one drains the other correct?

[emh9009 199]

Size of battery won't really matter. What people get worried about is mixing deep cycle and regular batteries. If you drive the car everyday it should be fine though. Can always check with the brand you want to buy and see what they recommend.

If you already have a run of 0 gauge from front to back you don't need another. Just a fuse to put before the second battery.

[SundownSaz1500 0]

Exactly what watts said. He knows what he's doing.

[Moofs 1]

Do you know where I could read up on that kinda set up or what its called exactly? I've never heard of it done like that. So I just basically put the battery in line somewhere on the power wire before it gets to the distro block?