Very new to sound systems

[99SEDude]

Ok, I'm very new to this so bare with me. Last weekend a buddy of mine helped me install a Kenwood KAC-606 amp I had stashed away for a while. I also had an 8" sub with a box. I know it's not much but I got the whole thing for free from my brother in law. Anyways, the sub is torn along the edges and it sounds awful. I need to get another sub. The amp seems to work fine, so I guess if I can find a sub that will work with it I'll just keep it. What do I need to watch out for when buying a sub? I know the KAC-606 puts out 150 watts bridged, which is how I have it set up right now. Would it sound bad if I put a 300 watt sub on it? I'm serious, I have no clue on this. Also, I've seen a few set ups where the subs are installed upside down. Does this work with any set up? Why is this done? So many questions, so little time. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[matts]

that amp only puts out 150 watts bridged? no, the sub wattage is how much that the sub can handle. when you go buy a sub you need to look for RMS handling capabilities, NOT MAX. max is the amount of wattage the sub can handle during a brief period. lets say the amp does put out 150 watts. i would look for a sub to handle 200-300 watts rms. if you get a sub that will handle 750 watts and you only put 150 to it bad things could happen over time. underpowering a speaker can be just as bad as overpowering it. if you want to know the amp specs go to kenwoodusa.com and look up your amp. i would do it for you but im at work and kind of in a hurry. hope this helps a little. some of the other people around here will pick up where i left off. :D

[99SEDude]

Well, these are the amp specs:

- Bridged Power Output at 14.4V (1kHz, 0.8% THD): 150 Watts x 1
- Maximum Output Power: 300 Watts x 1
- Power Output at 2 Ohms, at 14.4V (1kHz, 0.8% THD): 75 Watts x 2
- Power Output at 4 Ohms, at 14.4V (20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD): 50 Watts x 2

What I'm not sure about is the OHMS. According to the specs above, does this mean that I can hook up, let's say a 2 OHM sub and it will only give it 75 watts?

Also it says that the bridged setting will put out 150 watts but it doesn't specify the OHMS. Would I get 150 watts bridged with any kind of sub regardless of the OHMS, as long as the sub rating stays close to the amp rating?

[btchn1]

If you are going to bridge your amp to a sub you need to get a single 4ohm voice coil sub. Don't worry its very common. As far as what sub to buy, just head down to your local stereo shop and tell them the power you have and take a listen to everything they got and buy the one YOU like. You shouldn't spend more then 100-150 bucks on a single sub for your situation. What I mean is you don't need that $500 sub people might try to sell you cause you probably couldn't push it with that little amp. Good Luck, Lee

[99SEDude]

Thanks for the information on the power settings. There's a local shop here I like, I might swing by after work and see what they have. Also, where do I get more information on how to set up the subs upside down? As far as what kind of box I will need and why this is done other than to look really cool?

[btchn1]

As far as mounting the sub upside down, its just to look cool. Some sq guys that have two subs mount on upside down and the other normal. They say it does something to the sound. I've never been able to tell a difference personally. As far as the enclosure goes, if you want to build your own just follow the specs on the sub's sheet. If you are going a single sub I suggest firing it into one of the back corners. Otherwise just ask your local shop if they have a pre-made box. Peace, Lee

[99SEDude]

On those 4ohm single voice coil. I haven't been able to find any like that. They all say dual voice coil. I even saw a couple at the store and they have two sets of connectors. Is this something I want? How do I connect one of these on my system to use the full power of the amp? Sorry about all the questions, like I said, I'm very new to this.

[btchn1]

amps make different power at different ohm loads. All amps can handel 4 ohms stereo. Meaning one 4 ohm speaker per channel. Most amps can handel a 2 ohms stereo which makes it make more power. Some claim twice the power but most make about 50% more like yours. A few amps can handle even lower ohm loads but not to many. Now 2 ohms stereo is the same load on an amp as 4 ohms mono. thats when you "bridge" the two channels to a single one. Usually written on the amp were it takes one - of one channel and the + form the other. 99% of all full range speakers are 4 ohms. Some subs are single 4 ohms, some are dual 4 ohms and some are even dual 2 ohms or less. If you take a dual 4 ohm speaker and hook both positives and both negatives together you will get 2 ohms. If you run them in series you will get a 8 ohm load. Your amp makes its most power at 4 ohms mono and that is why you are looking for a single 4 ohm sub. Now you could also go with two dual voice coil subs and run the amp at 2 ohms stereo. The amp would be a little small for now but will work untill you can upgrade to a bigger one, then use the kenwood to run some full ranges. I hope this helps and don't be afraid to ask questions at your local stereo shop. Their information is why you choose them over the internet and why you pay just a little more for the product. I would pay and extra $20 for 5 or 10 years of experience, wouldn't you. Good luck and feel free to ask anything else, Lee

[matts]

sounds confusing doesn't it?

[99SEDude]

Confusing when you read it first thing in the morning waiting for the coffee to make. I'm pretty sure it will sink in as the day progresses ;)

Thanks for all the info guys. You have been very helpful. I will take your advice and take my system to the local shop and have them give me some ideas. And I know my system will be small for now, but later on I want to upgrade to something a little more serious, maybe with some upside down subs. Man, I love the look of those things.