Still planning out the equipment for my sub install. I am looking at:

- Sub: Rockford Fosgate 12" p3d212 (2 ohm DVC, wired parallel to 1 ohm)
- Amp: Polk PA600.1 (600 watts @ 1 ohm)

With a 2008 MCS with Hifi, would the 600 watt amp be too much for the stock battery and alt? Would I be better off with a 250 watt or 400 watt amp and sub to match?

I would not mind upgrading the battery, but really do not want to hassle with a high power alternator.

Thanks!
Maurtis

 

600w most likely won't even make the 150amp alternator hickup. I am running close to 1000w RMS and have no issues what so ever. My amp also shuts off whit the car though.

 

Wow, we have a 150 amp alt, stock??? Good to know...

Thanks David.

 

Not at all. I was running an 800 watt Power Akustic's amp with a Polk Momo 12 in my 07 Mini and it didn't skip a beat. The HK in the 2010+ is 480 watts alone and has no problems what so ever.

 

let's not forget that all these amps that state 800w or 1000w or 1 million watts or whatever, are mostly rate at those outputs with 10%THD. At that level of distortion you wouldn't recognize the sound as music and you'd go deaf. Quality home stereos which typically require more power, can run on as little as 10 watts clean. And that's the key - clean power. Clipping is what kills speakers.

Most likely unless you're doing an SPL contest, you'll not likely draw more than few watts per channel while listening at normal to louder than normal volumes.

 

This is a good point, though it is often even worse than that. Sometimes those numbers are just plain fantasy. As I've mentioned in other threads, the R55/6/7 HiFi amp puts out only about 40 watts TOTAL into all eight channels MAX. That's at 10+% THD+N, but with the current limiting in the amp it isn't possible to get more power out of it regardless of the level of distortion.

Generally speaking you shouldn't have any worries about your alternator being able to provide sufficient power, especially with a quality amplifier.

 

Thanks for the info, definitely puts my mind at ease. I am definitely looking to enter any SPL contests, just want some good bump. I had an Infinity Basslink in my last car and was pleased with the level of bass that came out of it for the price I paid, but want some more low end for the MINI.

Thanks again,
Maurtis