I need to replace my Rockford Fosgate 75.2 punch amp due to this https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2338452.

I'm thinking it may have also been underpowered for my 400 watt RMS RF 12" Punch DVC woofer, because it would overheat and shut down every once in a while in the summer heat. The amp's RMS mono rating is 150 watts, but I kept the Bass **** on the amp turned about 3/4 of the way up.

I would like to get a new amp for that particular woofer, but I have a few questions.

Should I get an amplifier with a similar power rating as my old one; since it was loud enough at only 3/4 strength? Or... would it be a better idea to get an amp that is rated at 400 watts RMS power mono for a better match to my sub?

Also, I would like to install the new amplifier under the passenger's seat, but I'm afraid there may not be enough air circulation for the amplifier. Do amps generate less heat if they have a higher power rating and are turned down ? I will have about .5 inch space on the top of the amp when installed under the seat.

Thanks.

 

The best bet is to get an amp that is over-powered for the sub, [better for the sub] Sq will also be better, [more dynamic headroom].

I would look for a mono block sub amp that will make 1x500W RMS into whatever load, [impedance] the DVC sub can be wired to, the higher the impedance the better for SQ, EG, if the sub is a DVC 2 ohm it is better to wire the VCs in series for a 4 ohm load and find an amp that is 1x500W RMS into 4 ohms then to wire them in parallel for a 1 ohm load and finding an amp that makes 1x500W RMS into 1 ohm.

There is nothing wrong with using an "under-powered" amp to drive a speaker, [sub] you will just not get the full potential from the sub, little or no dynamic headroom and the chance that you drive the under-powered amp into constant clipping, which is very hard on the speakers VCs. 94

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MilanoLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do amps generate less heat if they have a higher power rating and are turned down ? I will have about .5 inch space on the top of the amp when installed under the seat.

Thanks.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Short answer no they generate more heat.

Larger amps usually have larger heatsinks to dissapte more heat thus the cooler running amplifier at the same power levels.

You could also look into a class D ampliffier which is more efficient and will produce less heat and a smaller heatsink.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would look for a mono block sub amp that will make 1x500W RMS into whatever load, [impedance] the DVC sub can be wired to, the higher the impedance the better for SQ, EG, if the sub is a DVC 2 ohm it is better to wire the VCs in series for a 4 ohm load and find an amp that is 1x500W RMS into 4 ohms then to wire them in parallel for a 1 ohm load and finding an amp that makes 1x500W RMS into 1 ohm.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

The subwoofer I have is a 4ohm DVC and is currently wired for a 2 ohm load like this: