Questioni have a jl audio a1400 amp. (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/pdfs/A_Series_Amps/A1400_MAN.pdf ) i did have a set of mtx 12 inch speakers(mtx 451244) in a ported box rated at 225 rms watts until one of them blew out. i replaced it with another of the same exact model and have blow out that one also. i am looking to get a better speaker that will handle this amp. and in the near future will be adding a send amp(pioneer 400 watt). i want to be able to run each speaker off of its own amp when i do this. i have been looking at a pair of pyle 1200 watt speakers but cant find the rms wattage for them (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390172977580&ssPageName=STRK:... ). are these a ok chose? is there something better you recommend? i was very happy with the performance of the first mtx series that i had. i was also told that the sony explode would handle my amp without any problems. so what do you think is a good pair or speakers that will not cause me anymore issues and will let me still afford to pay my rent?? when they were installed they were put in parallel i think ( red to red and black to black) whats the best speakers and sound set up you think i can get??
AnswerHi Sean,
I'd strongly advise against adding the second amplifier for your subwoofer system. I think you have enough power in the JL Audio amplifier to run a pair of 12" speakers effectively, if you can find a pair that matches up well.
Your JL amplifier is a mono design that produces its highest rated power with a 2-ohm load. Because of this, your best subwoofer choice is usually NOT a dual voice coil, 4-ohm design (if you're planning to use two subs). When you combine DVC 4-ohm subs, you'll end up with either a 1-ohm load or a 4-ohm load, depending on the wiring configuration. Your MTX subs, and the Pyle subs you're considering, are both DVC 4-ohm designs. From the sound of it, you had the MTX subs wired for a 1-ohm load; this is lower than the amplifier is rated to support. While it doesn't sound like the amplifier was having too much trouble, it may have produced more than its rated power with this impedance, resulting in your blown subs.
The MTX subwoofer is available in a single voice coil version; the model number is 4512-04. The current model is rated for 250 watts; two of these could be combined in parallel to give the amplifier a 2-ohm load. If you were happy with the sound from your MTX subs until they blew, then switching to the SVC version might be just what you're looking for.
As for the Pyle subs, I think you're going to run into the same issues you had with the original MTX. You have to work pretty hard to figure out an RMS power rating for these subs; it's not even listed in the owner's manual. The 1200-watt "peak" rating isn't all that useful for matching the sub with an amp. I ended up checking out a Pyle "1200-watt" amplifier, to see what the RMS power rating was. Turns out a Pyle 1200-watt amplifier has a maximum RMS output of 250 watts, so that's my best guess for the real RMS power handling of a Pyle 1200-watt sub.
Another thing you need to consider is matching the subs to the box. Any subwoofer has a recommended enclosure volume, for either a sealed or ported box; you can't just drop any 12" subwoofer into a pre-fab ported box and expect it to perform well. In fact, a subwoofer can be damaged if you're using it in the wrong size box--especially if you're playing very deep bass tones in a ported enclosure.
I think your best option would be to purchase a subwoofer/enclosure combination. Many manufacturers offer this type of package--it's ideal, because you're letting the subwoofer manufacturer design the enclosure that best matches the sub. There are quite a few dual 12" packages that run around $300 at various online retailers. You'll want to make sure you pick a system with a 2-ohm final impedance, rated for at least 500 watts RMS. Here are a few possibilities:
MTX JH4512X2D
Kicker DVCR122
Polk DB1222
JL Audio CP210G-W1v2-D4 (this is a dual 10" sub package)
Hope this helps!
Brian
