What Is A Good Wattage For A Car Subwoofer?

When it comes to choosing the right wattage for your car subwoofer, there are a few things you need to take into account. Different subs require different amounts of power in order to produce the best sound quality. 

And depending on how you use your vehicle, you may need more or less wattage than someone else. 

The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the size of your car and how loud you want the subwoofer to be. 

However, most car subwoofers range from 200 to 1000 watts, with 400-600 watts being the most common power output.

In this post, we’ll take a look at what factors to consider when picking out your ideal wattage for a car subwoofer. Keep reading to learn more!

What Is A Good Wattage For A Car Subwoofer?

Car Subwoofers

When it comes to car subwoofers, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The wattage that is right for your car subwoofer depends on several factors, including your car’s size, the acoustics, and the type of music you like to listen to. 

If you are looking for hard-hitting bass, then you will need a subwoofer with a high wattage. However, a lower wattage subwoofer may be a better choice if you are more concerned with sound quality than bass quantity. 

Ultimately, the best way to find the perfect wattage for your car subwoofer is to experiment with different settings until you find the right sound.

Many car audio enthusiasts believe that a higher wattage subwoofer is always better. However, this is not necessarily the case. The truth is that the wattage of a subwoofer only really matters when it comes to how loud the subwoofer can play.

For example, a subwoofer with a wattage of 200 watts will be able to play significantly louder than a subwoofer with a wattage of 100 watts. 

However, the difference in volume may not be noticeable if the subwoofers are used in different-sized vehicles. In addition, the wattage rating does not take into account other important factors such as cone size and power handling.

Subwoofer Size

Average Subwoofer Wattage

 

Subwoofer Size

 

Average subwoofer wattage

8″100w
10″300w
12″450w
15-16″1500w

 

Only one specification of the system is the wattage of the sub-amplifier. Due to driver sensitivity, size and enclosure size, tuning, and other factors, two subwoofers with the same wattage might sound very different.

The measurement of the whole system, especially in terms of output and extension, is much more important.

Subwoofer Loudness And Watts

Loudness and Watts of Subwoofers

Wattage has very little to do with loudness, especially over the past 5-10 years when it is just a number listed by subwoofer manufacturers who primarily lie to unsuspecting customers that subs are louder if the listed wattage is higher.

When it comes to loudness, the most important factors are layout, build and sensibility.

Friends and acquaintances still ask me the same questions today, demonstrating the same thought process. All of them believe subs with more wattage are louder. This is not true!

It is important to remember that a subwoofer of 500 watts is not always louder than one of 200 watts.

If you are only interested in knowing how loud a subwoofer sounds based on its power, remember that anything below 100 watts is best for listening in bedrooms and other small spaces. Small to medium-sized rooms will be fine with 100 to 300 watts. 300 watts or more is recommended for larger rooms and open-concept spaces.

Concerning the listed specifications, it is better to concentrate on Max SPL, which is measured as decibels.

Decibels are based on tens and decibels. This means that one decibel represents the noise the human ear can detect, while ten decibels equal twice the volume.

90 decibels are twice as loud than 80 decibels and 80 decibels are four decibels more loud than 40 decibels.

Subwoofer amps have a non-linear relationship between wattage (wattage) and decibels (decibels). We need to have ten times as much wattage to achieve a 10dB gain.

This is twice the volume. A 3 dB gain is achieved by increasing the wattage by doubling it. A 1000-watt sub will be twice as loud as a 100-watt sub if all else is equal.

What Power Can A Car’s Battery Provide?

Unfortunately, it all depends. Multiply a 90-amp alternator by a 12-volt system to get 1080 Watts of power. A standard battery can hold 500-600 amps of reserve power or approximately 6000 watts. To cover periods of high power draw, it is better to upgrade the alternator from a 140.

Overworking the alternator can cause the battery to go dead, and the car may not start. You could also damage the alternator or reduce the battery’s lifespan. The alternator is the engine of the car. It only holds a reserve charge that can be used to start the car.

If you draw too much power from the sound system, you will have very little power left for accessories such as the air conditioner.

Difference Between RMS And Peak Wattage Of Car Subwoofer?

When choosing a car subwoofer, you will often see two different wattage ratings: RMS and peak. So, what is the difference between these two ratings?

RMS (root mean square) is a measure of the continuous power that a subwoofer can handle. In other words, it is the amount of power that a subwoofer can handle on a regular basis without being damaged.

Peak wattage, on the other hand, is a measure of the maximum power that a subwoofer can handle for short periods of time. For example, if a subwoofer has an RMS wattage of 200 watts and a peak wattage of 400 watts, it can handle 200 watts of continuous power and 400 watts of peak power.

When choosing a car subwoofer, it is important to look at both the RMS and peak wattage ratings. The RMS wattage rating will give you an idea of how much power the subwoofer can handle on a regular basis. 

The peak wattage rating will give you an idea of how much power the subwoofer can handle for short bursts.

What Are The Major Factors To Consider When Choosing A Good Wattage Car Subwoofer?

You should consider other factors when selecting a car subwoofer, These are:

  1. Size is an important factor to consider. How much bass you can produce and how much space the subwoofer takes up in your car will depend on its size.
  2. Power handling: This refers to the power that a subwoofer is capable of handling without getting damaged. You need to ensure that the subwoofer you choose for your car can handle the power you intend to give it.
  3. Frequency response: This is the frequency range that a subwoofer can reproduce. You should ensure that your car subwoofer has a good frequency response to reproduce all frequencies in your music.
  4. Sensitivity: This is the measure of how loud a subwoofer can produce for a given power. You should ensure that your car subwoofer has a high sensitivity rating to produce enough bass without using too much power.

Can My Car Alternator And Battery Handle A Subwoofer?

Let’s assume your vehicle has a 110A alternator. This means that you can get 105A for powering it. Amplifiers are not all created equal.

The answer depends on how it will be used and how efficient. An amplifier rated at 1200 watts RMS may have a fuse rating of 120-150A.

If you intend to run the amp flat, it will draw more current than your vehicle’s electrical system can provide. This is not taking into account other electrical requirements.

How To Choose The Perfect Wattage For Your Car Subwoofer?

Now that you know the different factors to consider when choosing a car subwoofer, you may be wondering how to choose the perfect wattage for your needs.

If you are looking for a subwoofer that can play extremely loud, then you will need a subwoofer with a high wattage. However, a lower wattage subwoofer may be a better choice if you are more concerned with sound quality than bass quantity.

So If you’re looking to add some extra bass to your car’s audio system, you’ll need to purchase a subwoofer. But before you can start shopping, you’ll need to know how to choose the perfect wattage for your car subwoofer.

The first step is to determine the RMS power rating of your subwoofer. This is the amount of power that the subwoofer can handle on a continuous basis.

Next, you’ll need to match the RMS rating of your subwoofer to the amplifier. Most amplifiers have an RMS rating that’s double the peak power output, so you’ll need to ensure that your amplifier can handle the RMS rating of your subwoofer.

Finally, you’ll need to consider the size of your vehicle. If you have a small car, you won’t need as much power as someone with a large SUV.

Ultimately, the best way to find the perfect wattage for your car subwoofer is to experiment with different settings until you find the right sound.

By following these steps, you can be sure to choose a subwoofer that will deliver the perfect amount of bass for your car audio system.

FAQS:

What Is The Power Consumption Of A Subwoofer?

The amount of power required to reproduce the sound it receives is what your subwoofer uses. You can find the power ratings of your subwoofers in your manual. However, most brands will require between 20-50 watts to produce maximum power.

What Is The Power Of A Subwoofer?

If You want your subwoofer to be able to play your music the loudest possible, so make sure it has a power rating of at least 200 watts. You will also need to ensure that the amplifier can handle these subs.

What Wattage Do I Need For My Car Subwoofer’s Power?

The size of your vehicle and the volume you desire the subwoofers to sound will determine the wattage required for your car’s subwoofer. A small car will not require as much power as a larger SUV.

How Do I Match My Subwoofer’s RMS Rating To My Amplifier?

The RMS rating for most amplifiers is twice the peak power output. You’ll need to ensure that your amplifier can handle your subwoofer’s RMS rating.

Is There A Standard Wattage For Car Subwoofers?

There is no standard wattage to fit car subwoofers. The size of your car and the volume you desire will determine the wattage required.

What Is The Power Consumption Of A Sub 12 Inches?

A 12-inch subwoofer will need 150 to 1000 watts to produce good sound. The power rating of the subs will determine this, but generally, an amp should be able to handle 300 watts.

Is The Subwoofer Able To Drain The Car’s Battery?

A car battery designed specifically for audio systems is the best choice if you plan to use a subwoofer over a long period of time. This will allow your subs to play loudly without draining your vehicle’s energy.

Which Watts Are Best For Subwoofers?

To get enough power for your subwoofer, it is recommended to use at least 100 WRM. You will be able to hear your speakers clearly, but you can also improve the sound quality by adding an amplifier.

Conclusion:

The response to this question, what is a good wattage for a car subwoofer? is going to be contingent on a number of different aspects, such as the dimensions of your vehicle and the volume level that you anticipate the subwoofer playing at.

However, the power output of the majority of cars subwoofers can range anywhere from 200 to 1000 watts, with the most common power output being between 400 and 600 watts.

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