Underpowering Sub

[HickRm]

I am after a new sub which has an RMS of 300w yet the monoblock I currently have is 125w RMS. I dont have enough money to purchase both atm so I am going for the new sub first as I managed to kill my other one somehow.

Will it have a major effect on the sub if I underpower it (as in damage it) so much and will adjusting the gain slightly compensate to a degree?

Thanks

 

[volxstu]

Yes underpowering a sub is about the easiest way to kill it. You may not here the distortion but you will expect to much of the amp and clip it.
If you know anybody with a scope, that would be your best bet. Then you can make sure that you don't send any clipping.

 

[HickRm]

unfortunately I dont have access to a scope only a multimeter. anything you would suggest?

 

[volxstu]

Where are you? Long shot but I could know somebody close.

 

[HickRm]

I live in grantham which in near Nottingham and Lincoln. Usually near noone lol. I will get a new amp just probs not until after christmas yet im surviving with no bass atm and I hate it lol. I got the 12 w3v2d2 that you recommend was a great budget sub

 

[HickRm]

I have a multimeter so I know it isnt brilliantly accurate but if you know ratings to set it at it could help???

Thanks

 

[volxstu]

It depends on the hu but i spose take a reading at full tilt from the RCA's and match the amp to that.

 

[HickRm]

ok my new plan is to buy a JBL GTO752 (cheap and not my first choice but hey) and use that for run my fronts and then have my DLS CA 23 amp which i love running the sub pushing out 400w. Although this is 100w over the 300w rating for the sub so is this wise? or sub I just turn down the gain or have no gain to compensate?

Thanks

 

[1PuntoCarl2]

like I said in the other post the JBL amp will be fine running the front speakers.

I've just looked up the DLS amp and that should work fine for your sub if its 300wrms @ 4 ohms. overpowering by 100wrms is perfectly fine. dont turn the gain up too high though. try keep it matched to the stereo's spec, usually between 6-12v iirc?