Upgrading to Wetsounds XS-12. Dual 4 or 2 ohm voice coil?

[bzubke1]

I'm going to be upgrading my old kicker 12" to an XS-12 soon and have a couple questions. Is there any difference between the dual 2 ohm and dual 4 ohm models, other then the different ohm loads you can wire them for? Is there any advantage of one over the other?

The xs-12 is rated:
Peak: 1000w
RMS: 500w

Usually I would just get an amp that is rated for 500 watts RMS at whatever ohms the sub is, but is there any advantage to overpowering the sub and getting an amp that is rated at 600-700 watts RMS.

[EarmarkMarine]

The two options are available so that you can best match the final load to your amplifier in order to optimize the power or efficiency depending on your priorities. A monoblock amplifier usually requires a different load than a bridged 2-channel for example. Multiple woofers, whether wired in series or parallel or a combination will sum for different loads. Other than this there is no other area to be concerned with. Technically, the parameters of woofers do change with different impedance voice coils but the difference is small enough that most woofer manufacturers do not provide the detailed specs.

We have run the XS12 with less than 500 watts when using a bass-reflex enclosure with great results. 500 watts is a good number though, especially if sealed. Alot depends on the amplifier manufacturer and how liberal or conservative the ratings are and how those specs are un/qualified. This number on the part of the woofer generally represents its thermal capacity which is something that you should not exceed on a continuous basis. One-third more power only equates to a 1 dB increase. Also, at some point when you apply additional power any speaker will begin to compress so that double the electrical power in no longer produces the expected 3 dB acoustical gain out. 700 "honest' watts is fine in obtaining a little tighter dynamics in the right hands. If you run full tilt then stay with the thermal rating.

David
Earmark Marine