This is a common question that we get here at SoundQubed. The answer, unfortunately, is not as simple as you might hope. It really depends on a lot of factors, including the sensitivity of your subs, the efficiency of your enclosure, and the power of your head unit.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
If you want to add some serious bass to your car audio system, you’ll need an amplifier that can handle the low end. But what size amp do you need for 2 12 inch subs?
The answer depends on a few factors, including the RMS power rating of your subs, the efficiency of your speakers, and the wattage of your head unit. We’ll break down all of these factors so you can choose the right amp for your system.
How to determine the size of the amplifier you need
In order to properly power two 12″ subwoofers, you’ll need to know how to calculate the wattage of the amplifier. There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to multiply the RMS wattage of the subwoofer by two. This will give you the total wattage you’ll need for your amplifier.
What is RMS?
RMS, or Root Mean Square, is a measurement of continuous power that an amplifier can produce. It is the most accurate way to determine the true power output of an amplifier. When choosing an amplifier for your subwoofers, it is important to choose one that can produce at least as much power as your subs need.
For example, if your subs require 500 watts RMS each, then you will need an amplifier that can produce at least 1000 watts RMS total. If you have two 600 watt RMS subwoofers, then you will need an amplifier that can produce at least 1200 watts RMS total.
It is also important to consider the peak power output of an amplifier when choosing one for your subwoofers. Peak power is a measure of the maximum power that an amplifier can produce for a brief period of time. Most amplifiers can produce more power on peaks than their RMS rating, but it is important to make sure that the amp you choose can produce enough power on peaks for your subs.
For example, if your subs require 1000 watts peak each, then you will need an amplifier that can produce at least 2000 watts peak total. If you have two 1200 watt peak subwoofers, then you will need an amplifier that can produce at least 2400 watts peak total.
What are the other factors?
Now that you know how to determine the wattage you need, here are some other factors to keep in mind when selecting an amplifier for your car audio system:
– speaker sensitivity: This is a measure of how much sound a speaker produces from a given amount of power. The higher the sensitivity, the less power the speaker needs.
– power handling: This is the amount of power a speaker can safely handle on a regular basis. If you’re planning on playing your music loudly and for long periods of time, make sure to get speakers with high power handling ratings.
– impedance: This is basically a measure of how much electrical resistance a speaker has. Most car stereo speakers have an impedance of 4 ohms, but some have 2 ohms or 8 ohms. It’s important to match the impedance of your speakers to the amplifier you’re using; if they’re mismatched, it can damage your equipment.
Conclusion
After doing all this math, we’ve determined that the best amp for 2 12″ subs is a mono block amplifier with 2000 watts RMS at 2 ohms. This will give you the cleanest sound and plenty of power to run your subs.