Subwoofer help needed

Tele addict · 06-11-2005, 13:54

I have quite a low spec hi fi that gives out 8 watts per speaker. I want to get a 1700 watt seperate subwoofer. Would it have to have a built in amplifier??

Slipstreem · 06-11-2005, 15:05

Hi!

If the subwoofer ouptut on your amplifier is rated at 8 Watts, then an 8 Watts or higher rated subwoofer will be just fine.

Also, bear in mind that a lot of manufacturers specify their power ratings in very misleading ways. Most retail outlets don't seem to know the difference between RMS and PMPO, so the lie is carried through to the purchaser.

Look here for a prime example :-

http://www.qvcuk.com/ukgasp/frameset...430257&ref=fgl

Your 8 Watt per channel system is almost certainly rated in Watts RMS. 8 Watts RMS is a respectable output and not to be scoffed at, especially if you have a 5.1 system as this will be a total of 48 Watts RMS.

The subwoofer you mention with a power rating of 1700 Watts is almost definitely a PMPO figure and not an RMS one. 1700 Watts PMPO would be uncomfortably loud and definitely drown out your other 8 Watt RMS channels.

It's definitely not a 1700 Watt RMS speaker as this would cost several hundred pounds and would almost certainly leave you with permanent hearing damage and/or in severe pain for several hours if used for more than a few seconds in a typical size room.

Also, unless a speaker system has a built in power amplifier, you won't get out more than you put in. A passive 1700 Watt speaker is no louder than a passive 8 Watt one when driven from the same amplifier.

The PMPO figure often quoted is tantamount to lying in my opinion, so apologies if some parts of this reply read like a rant. It makes my blood boil.

Try looking here for real subwoofers at realistic prices :-

http://ws4.richersounds.com/productl...ERS&sort=price

Cheers, Slipstreem.

Tele addict · 06-11-2005, 23:16

Thanks a lot. It was the QVC subwoofer i was gonna get but i have found out that is actually for a pc. I will get one with an amplifier as it won't be any louder than 8 watts. I have been looking everywhere for good subwoofers at good prices, that website is amazing. Thanks.

Slipstreem · 07-11-2005, 13:17

You're very welcome. Glad to be of help.

Cheers, Slipstreem.

06-11-2005, 13:54	#1
Tele addict Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,183	Subwoofer help needed I have quite a low spec hi fi that gives out 8 watts per speaker. I want to get a 1700 watt seperate subwoofer. Would it have to have a built in amplifier??

06-11-2005, 15:05	#2
Slipstreem Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Posts: 1,330	Hi! If the subwoofer ouptut on your amplifier is rated at 8 Watts, then an 8 Watts or higher rated subwoofer will be just fine. Also, bear in mind that a lot of manufacturers specify their power ratings in very misleading ways. Most retail outlets don't seem to know the difference between RMS and PMPO, so the lie is carried through to the purchaser. Look here for a prime example :- http://www.qvcuk.com/ukgasp/frameset...430257&ref=fgl Your 8 Watt per channel system is almost certainly rated in Watts RMS. 8 Watts RMS is a respectable output and not to be scoffed at, especially if you have a 5.1 system as this will be a total of 48 Watts RMS. The subwoofer you mention with a power rating of 1700 Watts is almost definitely a PMPO figure and not an RMS one. 1700 Watts PMPO would be uncomfortably loud and definitely drown out your other 8 Watt RMS channels. It's definitely not a 1700 Watt RMS speaker as this would cost several hundred pounds and would almost certainly leave you with permanent hearing damage and/or in severe pain for several hours if used for more than a few seconds in a typical size room. Also, unless a speaker system has a built in power amplifier, you won't get out more than you put in. A passive 1700 Watt speaker is no louder than a passive 8 Watt one when driven from the same amplifier. The PMPO figure often quoted is tantamount to lying in my opinion, so apologies if some parts of this reply read like a rant. It makes my blood boil. Try looking here for real subwoofers at realistic prices :- http://ws4.richersounds.com/productl...ERS&sort=price Cheers, Slipstreem.

06-11-2005, 23:16	#3
Tele addict Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,183	Thanks a lot. It was the QVC subwoofer i was gonna get but i have found out that is actually for a pc. I will get one with an amplifier as it won't be any louder than 8 watts. I have been looking everywhere for good subwoofers at good prices, that website is amazing. Thanks.

07-11-2005, 13:17	#4
Slipstreem Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Posts: 1,330	You're very welcome. Glad to be of help. Cheers, Slipstreem.

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Subwoofer help needed