How much power does a RL-P15 really need?

[nickh]

Hi,

I'm building a RL-P15 2ohm presented as 4ohm to the amplifier in a ported 10cu feet box turned to approx 14hz, I see alot of people recommending or using the EP2500 which is 2x750Watts (Claimed)

How much power does the subwoofer actually need, if we talk true power outputs not claimed.

The main reason behind asking is I am thinking of just building a custom plate amplifier to do the job, I have a choice of making two versions, 2x500Watts (4ohms) or 2x1000watts (4ohms). Obviously the 1000watt version is more expensive to build, but would I get any benifit out of it?

On the website it recommends "500 - 1000 watts RMS range"

See if it becomes to expensive to build I will just purchase a SVS PB13-Ultra, but I was hoping to have a huge gain in performance and money saving by DIY.

What you guys think?

[Chris in Dallas]

SoundSplinter recommended 750 watts to me for the 15.

[nickh]

Chris: What configuration do you have your sub in?

[Chris in Dallas]

None, yet. But I have two dual 4's that I will wire in series at the speakers, and in parallel in the circuit, for a 4 ohm load. I'll power both with a Crown Macrotech 1200 in bridged mono, with max output at 1475 watts. They will be in 9.5 cubic foot sonotubes with 6" x 32" ports.

[Chris in Dallas]

Anecdote: I got my drivers in, and put them on the coffee table in the media room. I connected the line level sub out to a 60 watt Sonance amp (vc in series). Put in Goldeneye, and I was pretty surprised with what you can do with a 60 watt amp.

[SoundSplinter]

The proportional benefit on added power will be increasingly less, the more you add. 500 watts will definitely get the RL-p's to do their thing. 750 watts is just about right on the mark to reach very near the driver's full potential. And 1000 watts is nice for a little added headroom, especially in sealed enclosures. If you can source an appropriate 1000 watt amplifier, by all means do it... but don't feel bad with "only" 500 - 750 watts per RL-p, because that's more than enough to power your woofer in a well balanced system.

[Chris in Dallas]

OT, but why build an amp from scratch when you can buy used DJ amps for less than the parts would cost?