i have bought everything i need for my audio/video sysem except the sub and amp. i was all set to make my purchase for the Alpine MRD-M1005 which puts out 500 watts x 1 channel @ 4 ohms and the sub would be the Alpine SWR-1042D 10" Type-R Series Subwoofer (4ohm + 4ohm), which is rated at handling 500watts RMS and 1500 peak. When I told my buddy about what I was going to buy he said the following:

"if the sub is rated at 500rms, and the amp pushes 500x1rms at 4 ohm, then you want a single 4 ohm load. you dont need to give that sub 1000 watts, which is what a dual 4 ohm voice coil sub would get. If you get the single 4 ohm, it also allows you the ability to add another 4 ohm sub and get 2x10's at 500rms each."

so what do you guys think? Alpine doesn't make a single 4 ohm Type R sub. They are all 4ohm+4ohm. Do I need a not so powerful amp?

 

depends on how they rate it. I believe if alpine says its 500 rms at "4ohm+4ohm" then he is correct but if the subs clearly state that in the spec he is wrong. dual coils is like having 2 speekers. if i was going to sell you 2 speakers you would be interested more if i told you they could handle 500 watts instead of me saying 250watts each.

always underpower your amp but underpower it to a minemum. I have done 3 complete systems each over 2k watts now and i usually make it so the median in rms to max of an amp = rms of the sub... it has been 3 yrs now and nothing has blown. also knowing you can crank it all the way and still feel safe/unsafe depending on the noise level, is a good fealing.

hope this will help you. Im not an electric engineer or anything but I've done my part of the research since I'm a DIY guy when it comes to mods.

 

You can use the dual 2 ohm sub Type-R and wire the coils in series for 4 ohms. I think 500 watts is optimum for this speaker. 1000 watts to it would be fine as long as you don't run the amp into clipping.

 

You'll be fine with that combo. Unless you are deaf, you will clearly hear the subs distorion before you over power it.

 

so the consensus is stick with the amp i have chosen and get the 2 ohm sub or the 4 ohm?