Will 8 gauge be enough for MRD-m500?

[Hopesfall85]

i recently bought this amp to power an IDQ12 sub and i was wondering if 8 gauge would be enough to run through a 99 grand am GT Coupe.

also, with that amp and the sub i shouldn't have any dimming problems right?

[Pte Socks]

Use 4 gage. Its the max size the amp can handle and Id recommend it. Its a decent and powerful amp. Whoa! wait a sec there man. I just looked up the specs for that sub and its recommended rms power is only 350W rms. Ok, im sorry, but Ive got to stop you right now. K, im not trying to knock your system or anything, but id highly recommend get a different sub or at least getting dual subs. Theres several things that concern me about this sub/amp configuration. 1) Power. The recommend power for the sub is 350W rms. I dont really think this is a true value and I would probably go lower to lets say 250 rms or so. Why? 2) Weight. The shipping weight for this sub is only 15 lbs. 15 lbs, plus looking at the sub tells me the magnet is not as large as a 350W rms sub should be. 15 lbs for a sub is not very much at all. Hence why I think that the power to this sub should be roughly 250 or maybe at max, 300 W rms. So back to what you should do. More or less, id highly consider getting another sub. Either dual IDQ-12's or different subs. The reason I say this is becasue you putting in much more power than is recommended for the sub. That means while your sub will poud, the longevity of it will be greatly reduced. Basically, im thinking the sub will last a year or so, depending on how you treat it ( really poud your system and it will last 6 months), and then be kaput.

[tommymcc]

yeah, 4 guage all the way

[Dave C]

The handbook that came with the amp should have recommend the best size of wiring. I almost bought 8 gauge for my amp ($50) but I held off and looked in my amp's owners manual, and it said that 10 gauge ($25) was all I needed. So, unless you plan on getting a bigger amp in the future, save your money and get the size that it says.

[nineteen88ga]

No Doubt, run the M500 on 4 gauge power wire.

[matts]

well, everyone beat me to it, but might as well chime in.....4 guage.

and while neo has a point, you COULD run more power to it, but you'd have to keep the gain down. but again, he has a point.

[Hopesfall85]

i bought that amp for headroom in the future (2 subs) but as long as i keep this gain down i don't see why i couldn't have this config, i don't listen to deep deep rap bass, just tight punchy bass for my metal/hardcore. People give these 350w all the time and say its the greatest SQ around. Its kinda to late to turn back now seeing as i've already got my amp and custom sealed box and now waiting for the sub.

i will take your guys advice and throw in some 4 gauge just to be safe

[Hopesfall85]

well, i could always wire it in 4 ohms and get it 200 but i'm reading on these forums here and as long as i keep the gain down i should be ok.

[Pte Socks]

yea, but its harder to set the gains for that amp. Unfortunatly, its almost a whole different ball game from standard amps because of the way its setup. Its like the first tiem me and my buddy were looking at the amp. We were so confused and scared shitless just to touch the damn thing. Less digital amps are sooo much easier to setup than this amp. That, or you can just get a deck with sub control. If you have one with sub control, it cuts down power levels to your amp and sub. Personally, I wont go without sub control

[Hopesfall85]

well old chap, i've got a 9813 so thats covered
should i set the gains with it at 0db?

[matts]

that's what i used to do, before i stopped using the sub control on the headunit, and then i'd bring it down some for a little headroom. but i've got a bass knob now...so i just adjust the gain from the front seat :P

[Hopesfall85]

hmm, i think i'm too chicken to mess with this amp, maybe i should just sell it for 240 (what they are going for) because i never even opened it yet and get a 350 or 400watt sub that isn't digital so i don't melt my face trying to get the settings right

[nineteen88ga]

It is sorta a pain to set up, but once you get use to it it's not bad. I love mine. I have mine pushing 2 Alpine Type R 12's (dual 2 ohm models) and its not a big bass machine, but great for SQ and It can put out some fairly loud bass if it has to. My 4 channel amp gets hotter then the sub amp (thats seeing a 2 ohm load)

I have Alpines remote Amp control (RUX-4280) flush mounted in my headliner and that lets you make all the adjustments to the amp from it. Its alot easier to figure out than using the display on the amp too.

I'd keep the amp and get a 2 ohm sub(or a dual 4 ohm sub) so you can get all the power you can from the M500.

[Hopesfall85]

it is a dual 4 ohm sub

[Pte Socks]

Heheh put it this way, I wouldnt sell the amp. Its a decent amp and Id highly recommend it. Its just im used to being able to put my settings at what I want for different conditions and not being limited by gains.

[tommymcc]

hey 88ga, can i see a pic of the amp module flush?

[nineteen88ga]

I wish I could show you, but as of now I don't have any pics of it. I'll be sure to let y'all know when I do have new pics.

[saltystix]

I know, this thread is like Jesus with its resurrection, but I got a similar question. I know im going to run my subs' amp with 4 guage. But I was wondering about the speakers amp. http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX564

The way I see it, its 280w max. So can I just run my 8 guage off that?

Also... I have no idea about ohm loads than to just match them when you dont know what you are doing. But, I have two polk MOMO's that are single coiled. Their amp is 2 channel.
2 x 200rms at 4 ohms
2 x 400rms at 2 ohms and
1 x 800MAX at 4 ohms Bridged

Is there any way I can get (2) 4 ohm subs wired at 2ohms, without blowing up my amp.