[makkan00]

Hi Guy,
This may have covered earlier but I cannot find it.
Looking at SWS-8 specs, it is 150RMS each.
What is the minimum watts RMS amplifier should I be looking for?
Any choices?

I have Kenwood 4 channels, where each channel can be 60W X 4. I guess that will be underpowered for these sub.


Shall I be looking for 150X4 RMS minimum amp?

Any suggestions?

[makkan00]

Well that amplifier booklet says
Maximum Power Output (4Ω) 180W x 4
Rated Power Output 60W x 4 (4Ω)
Maximum Output Power 720W


would that be enough for SWS-8?

looking for a quick reply guys.

[JYohay]

why arent you getting a dual channel amp?
the SWS is 150 RMS 300 peak.
so anywhere from 400-500w total would be enough

[makkan00]

JYphay, I want only one amplifier which can power fronts + SWS-8s.

Fronts are L7, so they would not require much of power, but SWS-8s would require a lot.

Coming back to my question looking at this
Maximum Power Output (4Ω) 180W x 4
Rated Power Output 60W x 4 (4Ω)
Maximum Output Power 720W

would that be enough if use all 4 channles, 2 for fronts and 2 for subs.
Or I will have to use it in bridged mode, where it can only power two subs then?

[bmw325i]

There is no minimum amount of power needed for them to work. Whether or not it will be loud enough for you that's something for you to decide.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

There is no minimum amount of power needed for them to work. Whether or not it will be loud enough for you that's something for you to decide.

Thanks Matey,
looking at the RMS of that amplifier and considering against SWS-8, do you think, SWS-8 will blow the amplifier or vice versa?

[bmw325i]

You can't damage equipment from not having enough power

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

You can't damage equipment from not having enough power

A common cause of blown VCs is not enough power because it usually leads to excessive clipping by trying to push the amp beyond its capabilities. The clipping leads to heat and the heat kills the VC.

OP - I would say from experience that 60W each on the SWS is not enough. The SWS is very inefficient. I was able to run them off 100W each and they sounded decent but didn't get too loud. When bumped up to 250W each it was a lot better.

[bmw325i]

You are right but the cause is improperly set gain not underpowering. Otherwise you would blow your subs/speakers every time you turned down the volume.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

A common cause of blown VCs is not enough power because it usually leads to excessive clipping by trying to push the amp beyond its capabilities. The clipping leads to heat and the heat kills the VC.

OP - I would say from experience that 60W each on the SWS is not enough. The SWS is very inefficient. I was able to run them off 100W each and they sounded decent but didn't get too loud. When bumped up to 250W each it was a lot better.

Now my confusion is, are we talking about RMS watts here or generic watts here?

Confusions kicks in when RMS watts are different to max watts.

If I look at max watts of my amp, which is 180W X4 and it should be enough to power SWS.

However if I look at RMS watts, then 60W should not be enough.

Can somebody please clarifiy, which watts should we consider when matching speakers / woofers?
Thanks.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by makkan00

Now my confusion is, are we talking about RMS watts here or generic watts here?

Confusions kicks in when RMS watts are different to max watts.

If I look at max watts of my amp, which is 180W X4 and it should be enough to power SWS.

However if I look at RMS watts, then 60W should not be enough.

Can somebody please clarifiy, which watts should we consider when matching speakers / woofers?
Thanks.

Always look at RMS. Max means nothing because there's no way of knowing how that is calculated.

[makkan00]

Thanks.

[afsar]

I had PDX-5 powering it, 300 watts fed to both the sws-8 in mono mode and it was loud enough for me. Never had any problem.

Upgraded to MS-8 and I am having nothing but problem, now I have dreaded bt echo.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by afsar

I had PDX-5 powering it, 300 watts fed to both the sws-8 in mono mode and it was loud enough for me. Never had any problem.

Upgraded to MS-8 and I am having nothing but problem, now I have dreaded bt echo.

Thanks mate.
so did you go for 75W x 4 (speakers) + 1 x 300W both SWS-8 in parallel?

[afsar]

Yes, any 5 channel amp will do, PDX was much small footprint, however keep in mind PDX is noisier, but then there are ways to filter it out. I wasn't bothered, noise was very little.