Need Advice... new sub installed

[HighwayProwlerz]

Okay, I need some advice. I am going to list what I currently have in the car as far as audio goes then I would like some input on how to wire it all up and where to set the equalizer to sound the best...

Head Unit - 208w Aiwa MP3/CD player
Front Speakers - 100w Pioneer
Rear Speakers - 100w Pioneer
Amp - 200w 2 channel Pioneer
Sub - JL Audio 12W0 (only one)

I don't really want to have to purchase anymore equipment so I would appreciate that you try to give advice that helps me with what I have currently and doesn't have me going out spending any more money. I have already spent $500 on all my car stereo equipment (sub, headunit, speakers, and box)

Thanks!!

[nice96gt]

I would just wire the mids and highs up to the deck and keep the amp for the sub. That's how mine are now and they sound pretty good.

[HighwayProwlerz]

That was what I was thinking... right now I have the sub wired to one channel of the amp with only one pair of wires but there is a place on the back of the sub for two pairs of wires. Should I run another set of wires from the sub to the second channel on the amp and run the sub on both channels? Or does it work that way? It's a 200w amp and the sub is 125w... wouldn't I blow my sub if I did it that way? Sorry, I am a car audio virgin still.

[nice96gt]

So the sub has 2 positive (+) and 2 negative (-) terminals on the sub? If it does, that means it's a DVC (dual voice coil sub woofer). You should have both terminals wired up all of the time or you could damage the sub. As for wiring it it properly, I'm not to sure since I've never had DVC subs. I would wait for one of the SMARTER audio guys to reply. :)

[praasch]

http://www.jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/index.html

here is what i used when wiring dual voice coil subs. i had to wire two DVC subs to an amp (my first time wiring that stuff up as well) and it was pretty easy to understand....

hope that helps!!

[HighwayProwlerz]

It helps I little.... so do I hook the two negatives together with one wire out to the amp and the two positives together with one wire to the amp... basicaly do I do it in parallel or in series??

This is what I have...

[matts]

parallel or series would depend on the impendance of the sub and what the amp will take. since it's that small of an amp im guessing 2 ohm would be as low as it would be willing to go. but you may not be able to wire it to 2 ohm if you have dual 2 ohm coils. that will give you either 1 or 4 ohm. if you have dual 4 ohm coils you get either 2 or 8 ohm.

a good scenario would be 4 ohm going to the amp when you hook it up bridged. then you get the 2 ohm rating, which im going to guess is the 200 watts. so you would need the dual 2 ohm wired in series.

if you've got the dual 4 ohm wire it in series to give it an 8 ohm load at the amp. then when bridged it will give you the 4 ohm power.

and your amp may not even be 2 ohm stable. how old is the amp? most of the newer amps are 2 ohm stable, again, most....not all


that help any?

[HighwayProwlerz]

Yes, it did. I think I somewhat understand... the amp isn't that old... maybe a couple years. I'll have to look when I get home. I'll get back to you.

[Pte Socks]

Hehehe HighwayProwlerz, didnt we remind you to match up the ohms loads BEFORE purchasing your sub/amp combo? I alsmot could have swore Matt or Dave and I reminded you of that, perhaps not. Im hoping for the best for you, but your going to have to figure out the impedance of your sub. I know the 12W0 comes in 3 different configurations. One is a 4ohm, DVC, another is 8ohm DVC and the last is 12ohm, DVC. If your lucky, and I hope you are, the most common one found is the 4ohms DVC W0, which, wired in parallel, would make 2 ohms, a perfect match for your amp. To wire them in parellel, you first, connect the positive hookup on one side of the sub to the other postive terminal on the other side of the sub. Do the same for the negative side. Then just hookup the positive and negative from one side of the sub to your amp. Best of luck :)

[HighwayProwlerz]

Yes, I matched it up just fine... just a little confusing when I got to looking at it. It is a 4 ohm DVC 12W0 and I wired it up to give me 2 ohms at the amp. Turned out great! It's my first time, take it easy on me. :)

[Pte Socks]

Heheh well thats good to hear. Dont worry, I was just giving you a hard time;). "You've learned well my young padewan (sp?)". Well now that you know how to wire it up, hows it sound? I love those little W0's, they are definatly not a sub that you can bash. Oh, as an off topic part, is it me or am I starting to get old? Sheesh, im gonna be 21 soon. Is it true life is downhill after 21 there HighwayProwlerz?