is it really worth it to spend the extra money to overpower my subs?

my setup reaches 100% RMS of what my sub rates at

(PowerBass A600.2 2-channel, running two Infinity 1252W DVC subs)

Amp puts out 300wRMS x 2
Subs handle 300wRMS

wondering if its worth it to get a RockfordFosgate P650.2 putting out 325wRMS x 2

would upgrading my amp be worth it?

 

Absolutely. It is bad to underpower your subs. If you do, they tend to distort which will shorten their lifespan.

 

^yeah. You can push slightly constant into the Max Wattage, but the higher you go and the longer you push them in that 'zone', you shorten the lifespan.

25 watts over RMS isn't TOO bad tho. If it's 300 WRMS and you push into the (let's say) Maxx watts range of 500-1000, 750wmax lets say. then you're pushing the boundaries.

THe max is rated for short bursts, not constant power. RMS is the ADVISED constant power rating.

 

You won't even hear an increase in power of only 25W.

As long as you don't cause the sub's voice coil to bottom out on LOUD bass hits you can use a 1000W or more amp with a 300W sub if you wanted to.

 

I think you will notice difference, even upgrading to a better quality amp with same RMS. Rockford amps are very reasonably engineered, almost always underrated. I never had any experience with PowerBass amps though.
In your shoes, I would get Class-D, like Hifonics Brutus with warranty off ebay.

 

how much is too much? is 425w too much? cause that amp costs the same as the one that pushes out 325

 

You wouldn't really want to be overpowering the subs unless you know what you are doing.... the advantage in purchasing an amp with more power would be so that you could get the power requirements for the subs, with more ease. In short: you would not need gains turned up as high, minimizing distortion, and producing a cleaner signal - which is better for everything.

 

There's probably a reason it costs the same.....

Do you have any model numbers/complete specs on the 425? Same company?

EDIT: either way.....425 would be fine, you just wouldn't have the gains set as high (which is desirable)

 

You can put a 1000 watt amp on there and it will not blow your subs if adjusted correctly. But the quality of the amp is the key. I would rather have a 300 watt clean amp (makes 300 watts easily and without clipping...true RMS rating). Than a 420 watt amp that struggles to make 425 watts or even 300 without pushing it hard because the 425 watts is rated at peak watts and actually has an RMS of 200-300.

 

How do you know without knowing amp model/specs?

 

I don't....just throwing it out there as an example.

 

Alright wasn't sure if you knew the amp model he was talking about or not. Just didn't want the poster to be confused - even though it is likely that if it is the same company and same web site that it's probably a peak power...but it could also be an older model, a different make, a efficient amp, just a cheaper site, etc. etc... that could explain for the similar prices.

 

I was assuming the same thing...if it is the same price it is probably overrated. Usually you get what you pay for. I have an old school PPI A1200 running 2 JL Audio 10" subs.....waaaay overkill on the amp but sounds so damn clean and they run very efficiently. Thats another thing....mine does not get hot at all and I have mine tucked away where it gets very little to no air. This may also be a selling point?? longevity??

 

they are both from rockford.

they are the P850.2 and the P650.2

 

P650.2 is $70 cheaper on the site I shop at.....................