Is there anything wrong with using a different amplifier on each voice coil of a subwoofer? For example, if I had a 4 hom DVC sub, and I had two identical amplifiers, if I bridged each amp and used them on different speaker terminals on the subwoofer, made sure that the gains/xover/bass boost/etc on each amp were at the same level, would that cause any harm to the subwoofer?
...the reason I asked is because I just got my hands on a RF Punch 400a4 (old school) and I wanted to use it with a Kicker S10L7. The amplifier is powered at 200wrmsx2 if you bridge channels 1+2/3+4
Thanks for your help
that you can do safely with a 4 channel but as far as 2 seperate amps you never find 2 amps that actually put out the same power even with gain levels and such. You would have to level match them with a volt meter
why would you have to level match with a volt meter?
hint: i'm setting you up.
there is no problem with running seperate channels, seperate amps, etc.
It is "possible" to wire it this way. But it is the least effecive and most costly solution.
You would need to RCA Ys. take the Subwoofer preout and Y the SUB rca into all 4 inputs of the amp so they all get the same exact signal.
Then you would need to gain match each channel with a multimeter.
Failure to properly match each channel will result in poor performance from the subwoofer and possible damage.
Both channels MUST be 100% the same. If one is off just a little each voice coil will be putting out a different signal and they will fight each other reducing your volume, greatly increasing distortion and heat. Which could damage your amp and your sub.
So my answer is NO. Dont use that amp for your sub. More trouble than its worth. Use that amp for your mids/highs and get a mono class D subwoofer amplifer with at least 400-600 watts RMS x 1 @ 2ohms.
A 4ch amplier is essentiall two 2 channel amps in a single housing. Each pair of channels has it own indivuals gain settins.
Additionally amplifers which are capable of being Strapped together would use a special cable in order to automatically gain match multiple amps to one another.
Kicker subwoofer amplifers for example have this abilty. one amp becomes the master and the other amp is the slave.
This allows you to take 2 amps and put out double the power at double the oms.
example. The kicker kx400.1 is 400watts rms @ 2ohm. If you strap two together you get 800watts rms @ 4ohm. That quad 4ohm sub could then be wired to two kicker amps. 2 voice coils per amp.
Your going to say that at high volume if channel 1/2 is set to +3db and channel 3/4 is set to 3.5db then it wont cause any harm or distortion?
The whole point is for harmony. If the voice coils are not getting the same signal it is like two people siging slightly out of sync. Sure it might not cause the amp to blow up or the sub to blow. But its not ideal and *might* cause damage over time vs a properly setup single channel setup.
Needless to say find a single channel monoblock amplifer and avoid all the multichannel BS. Its not worth the trouble.
bottom line yes you can
no it isn't recomended
no it isn't that safe
no it isn't worth it
so its 3 vs 2... 3 people i know have been around here for awhile, versus 2 people, one with a considerable amount of posts and one with around 120.
i dont know what to do... we'll try it out and see.
Having different signals to your DVC sub doen not damage it. In fact, as long as it doesn't cause the sub to bottom out, or you don't exceed its thermal capabilities, IT WILL NOT BLOW.
Post count has nothing to do with someone knowledge. Only how much they feel they need to post on a certain forum.
I see your guy's points. Thank you for input.
I am assuming this 4 channel amplifer has a Low pass filter?
I played a stereo bass signal through my Shiva when i used it in my contour for a few months. No problems.
