I've been wondering what to do about a sub/amp combo in the back of my 4Runner. It dawned on me that I have an old Alpine amp installed in the back of the Paseo I plan to sell. When I say old, I mean I've had it for 8 or 9 years. It's a 2x30 at 4ohm bridgeable to 80amp unit. I've used it for years bridged and connected to a Punch 6.5" sub tube. My current stereo is a Pioneer PH-F4400 or something like that. The previous owner had something in the back because there are power leads and RCA cables run to the back. I'm looking to add a little support to my music, not rattle the windows.

Question Time: Do amps "wear out"? It seems to work fine and doesn't get overly hot.

Should I get a single sub and run the amp bridged, two subs, or a dual voice coil sub?

Sub enclosures: Sealed, ported, or bandpass?

It's been a long time since I did any stereo work. I could use some insight...

Thanks,
Chris

 

I don't think the amp will wear out if it's been taken care of.
But the wattage seems low.

One thing I learned when I first built my system was to not apply to low of wattage to the sub.

I use to run just my RF 200a4 amp powering the door speakers and a RF duel voice coil 10" sub.

That worked out good but was not enough punch. My oldest son loaned me a 15" Soundstream SPL speaker (very badass) in a band pass box.
I ran it off the two rear channels of the RF amp same as the setup for the 10" sub I first ran.

Carytoy's, a local stereo shop chain told me I'd blow one of the VCs in the Soundstream sub by not having enough wattage.
To low of wattage can blow the sub.

Sure enough...I had them build me a sealed box for the that sub.
When they put it in and fired it up, one of the VCs was rattling.
The bandpass box had disguised the rattling and you could not tell it was blown.

They ended up putting a JL Audio 15" W6 in the new box, and all has been bliss since then.

Before the new box though I had hooked up a dedicated amp just for the sub.
It's a RF 500a2 bridged mono putting out about 700 watts into that sub.

So yes, just a word of caution that to low of wattage can destroy a sub as you are sending in dirty noise when it's cranked.
Best to start with a big amp for the subs.

Are you running an amp now for your doors? If not, you might consider that amp you have to power the doors, and then get a second amp for the sub.
Or a good 4 channel amp to run it all.

Now on the enclosures...I don't know about the ported, but a bandpass hits with mostly one loud tone, and is best suited for rap music.

A sealed enclosure will give you tighter and clearer sounding bass with more sound quality.
If you listen to mainly hard rock, old rock, jazz with bass, electronic house, drum & bass, I think the sealed will do a better job.

I can tell a big difference from going from the bandpass box to the sealed I have now.
It's so much tighter and cleaner sounding.

You can see my simple setup on my stereo page which is listed in the sig.
I did the whole system install myself except for the deck.
That was included in the price of the unit at Cartoy's.

 

Thanks for the info. The door speakers are running off the deck (4x40). It sounds like a sealed box is the way to go. Regarding amp power, if the Sub's RMS rating is equal to the amp's power rating, shouldn't everything be ok? I ran this amp with the 6.5" sub for about 7 years with no problems, but that was in bridged mode at 80watts. It's not a lot of power, but it more than fills a small car (vintage Beetle, then Paseo). Gotta keep this inexpensive for right now...

Chris

 

It might work for the Runner, but remember the Runners interior is a lot bigger, thus requiring more wattage to get the sound up to you in the front.

Have you decided on how many speakers? I found the one 10" I had to not be loud enough for me.
That may have also been the fault of the smaller 200a4 amp I was using back then as it also powered the door speakers.

Two 10s, or one 12" will sound good in the Runner.
I like the one 15" I have. nice and deep, and it hits hard.
It also takes up less room than a doubled sealed enclosure for two subs.

 

I haven't decided on the number of speakers, but I am leaning towards one for space issues. I think I'm going to try my current amp with the 6.5" tube and see how it sounds. If it works, then I know I can go with a 6.5" or 8". Otherwise, I'll go with something larger.

Chris