Setting up a subwoofer in your car comes with much work. One is knowing the appropriate amount of power you should give your car subwoofer. Not just increasing the volume of the sound, but can you overpower it?
In this article, you will get to know if you can overpower a car subwoofer, if a subwoofer will have more bass if overpowered, and if overpowering it causes damage.
Let’s get started.
Can You Overpower a Car Subwoofer?
Yes, you can overpower a car subwoofer. However, some risks come with it, including the possible damage to your car subwoofer when it receives a signal outside the required voltage range. Luckily, setting a subwoofer amplifier gains can help regulate the appropriate power levels to avoid damage to your machine.
Overpowering of a car subwoofer usually occurs when you exceed the voltage ratings and the subwoofer receives a signal outside its capability range.
When you exceed the subwoofer ratings, the signal sent is out of its range. Thus, it damages the system when the sub receives the audio signal and pushes its coil too far backward or forward.
Moreover, overpowering your subwoofer entails few risks than underpowering it. However, continually overpowering your system can permanently cause damage to your subwoofer, leading to malfunctioning.
Will Car Subwoofer Output More Bass If Overpowered?
Bass, as with many things, requires comparing quantity vs quality. It is crucial to note that more bass does not imply better bass.
The bass of your subwoofer is determined by the wattage of your system, where a greater wattage guarantees more bass. Wattage is a good indicator of how quality and robust a subwoofer is.
Therefore, getting a powerful subwoofer will guarantee more bass even if you overpower your system.
Also, to remind you that a powerful subwoofer can play louder music well. It furthermore handles lower frequencies better and maintains the bass.
So, your subwoofer will not output more bass if overpowered.
Related:
- How Can I Just Add A Subwoofer To My Car? (Explained)
- How To Connect Car Subwoofer To Speaker-Level Outputs (Solved)
- Does A Car Subwoofer Really Need A Box Enclosure? (Explained)
Can Overpowering Subwoofer Damage Car Subwoofer?
As you read through this article and attempt to have the best outcome for your car subwoofer, it is vital to ask yourself whether or not you are providing the recommended range of power to your sound system.
After all, subwoofers are affordable, and even if you land a better deal, the odds are pretty high that you would wish to keep your current system functional for years to come.
Well, overpowering a subwoofer has fewer risks compared to underpowering it. Nonetheless, adverse outcomes emerge, including possible damage to the sound system when it receives a signal above its voltage range.
Selecting the best amplifier to match your sound system can be hectic if you are new in the industry. Still, it shouldn’t entirely prevent the operation and capability of utilizing your car subwoofer. Therefore, you must adhere to the ratings that come with the subwoofer and the amplifier if you want to connect the two.
How Overpowering a Subwoofer Damages It
Now that you know that overpowering your subwoofer causes damage, you are probably wondering how this happens. Here is the answer.
As you look closely at the internal workings of your car subwoofer, it becomes understandable. However, you may need a comprehensive analysis of the physical make-up and how the subwoofer was designed to function.
When you exceed the subwoofer ratings, the signal sent exceeds the subwoofer’s range of ratings to receive it. This makes the audio signal to push the coil too forward or backward, damaging the equipment inside your sound system.
When your car subwoofer gets a higher signal than expected, the signal will alert the coil to push the cone forward. As this happens, the cone will damage because of stretching beyond the capacity it is required to reach.
On the other hand, when the sound system receives a signal that is out of range or too low, the signal will alert the coil to push the cone backward, damaging the backing and voice coil.
As you can see, the subwoofer receiving much higher voltage than the range can damage the equipment. It might not always be the case, but it happens more frequently.
Ways to Avoid Overpowering a Subwoofer
Since now you know overpowering your subwoofer has repercussions, you are probably looking for solutions to avoid this from happening. Continue reading to learn more.
It all revolves around how you consistently use your car subwoofer. When you handle it with care, an extended-lasting subwoofer is guaranteed.
An excellent way to avoid overpowering your car sound system is to set gains on your sound system amplifier. It assists in preventing distorted audio while regulating the amount of power within the car system ratings. Moreover, you can adjust the crossover frequency to a higher range.
In addition, you can regulate your subwoofer’s volume by avoiding playing it at its maximum volume for an extended period. After setting the amp gains, ensure you know how to regulate the subwoofer to offer the best clarity and sound experience.
Also, adjust to a lower volume and a more precise bass tone rather than distorting the audio by damaging the distorted bass.
Setting the gains on your car subwoofer amp is one of the significant ways to prevent overpowering. Maybe you may want to know how to make this happen.
Below are the basic concepts to get you started:
- Adjust the Volume to Low
You will need to hear the audio from the subwoofer but not in high volume since you will have to test for clarity and distortion as you set the gains on your subwoofer amp.
- Play a Song
Now that the volume is low begin playing the music. Low volume assists you in hearing what you are testing as you continue setting the gains on your car subwoofer.
- Slowly and Gradually Place the Gains Up on the Subwoofer Amp
Paying attention to the audio, start turning the gains above on the subwoofer amp. You will start getting a deep bass and a more transparent tone from your subwoofer. This implies that you are headed in the right direction, and the sound system is performing.
- Continue Adjusting the Gains Until You Observe Any Sound Distortion
After you hear the bass tone of your car subwoofer is occupying the rest of the speakers, continue rotating the gains up, but do it slowly. You will have to pay attention to notice when audio distortion starts.
- Turn the Gains Back When You Notice Any Sound Distortion
Once you start hearing audio distortion, begin altering the direction of your gains by rotating them slightly down.
Repeat the steps until you locate a balance for your sound system. Afterward, you can enjoy the appropriate volume, the richness of the bass tones, and the clarity you are trying to achieve.
Do You Need More Battery power To Overpower a Subwoofer?
When it comes to battery power, you need to have a good battery for the overall well-functioning of your car. Yes, you need more battery power since producing clear sound signals requires vast power.
More battery power will overpower a subwoofer.
It is vital to note that a car subwoofer operates with a lot of power, and if you don’t pay attention, it can drain your battery in a short period. To minimize this problem, turn your car subwoofer off when you are not using it.
Conclusion
Your car subwoofer will produce great bass or sound when amplified with appropriate power. Also, the alteration in the sizes of your subwoofers and amplifiers has little to do with power performance but more to do with tonal qualities and frequency response.
If you can follow the guidelines above, you will archive much with your subwoofer and get the most out of your audio. Always remember, the rewards of a properly tuned car subwoofer are physically satisfying and overwhelmingly cool.
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Can You Overpower a Subwoofer?
