Incorrect Wiring of Polk MOMO 500.1?

[GUEST22]

My friend wired the Polk MOMO 500.1 amp with the negative wire coming from "Sub 1" and the positive wire coming from "Sub 2." I haven't been happy with my sound, and I thought that this might have something to do with it.

Was he right in wiring it this way? Is it better to wire both positive and negative to "Sub 1" or does it even matter?

Thanks

[MacLeod]

Well, it sounds like he's trying to wire them in series.

For 2 subs youll want a 2 ohm load. But if those are 4 ohm subs then youre running a 4 ohm load which is putting the amp at half power. If those are 4 ohm subs you need to run the negative to both subs negative and the amp positive to both subs positive. This will present a 2 ohm mono load and will nearly double the power output going to your subs.

[GUEST22]

The subs are wired in parallel creating a 6 ohm load (2 10W0 each at 12 ohms).

Here is the diagram from JL's site on how they are wired:
http://jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/images/SVC_Parallel_2.gif

[exalted512]

big mac--did you hear that?--he doesnt like his subs...what brand did he say they were again?

guest...youre going to have to give us a little more info than that...i dont have any experience with the 500.1...
sub 1? sub 2?
does it have 2 channels?
im guessing the subs only have 1 voice coil correct?
-Cody

[MacLeod]

OK then. Thats your problem.

That amp is rated at 350 watts at 4 ohms. If youre giving it a 6 ohm load then youre getting about 250'ish watts. 12 ohm subs are intended for use in 3's. 3 12-ohm subs would present a 4 ohm mono load which would be perfect for a 2 channel amp. They really arent meant to be used in pairs. Its not hurting anything but youre missing out on a LOT of power from the 500.1.

[exalted512]

ahh...i see your diagram now...
you have it wired right...its the subs....ditch JL and buy something else:)
-Cody

[MacLeod]

Originally posted by exalted512
big mac--did you hear that?--he doesnt like his subs...what brand did he say they were again?


-Cody

He doesnt like them because hes only giving them 125 watts each. Pay attention son! LOL :p

[exalted512]

leave it to JL to make something weird like 12 ohms...
:D
-Cody

[MacLeod]

Leave it to JL to be on the cutting edge and offer something as flexible as 12 ohm subs so people can run 3 subs off a single 2 channel amp in a 4 ohm load.

[exalted512]

cutting edge?
my stock 4x6s were 12ohms
-Cody

[MacLeod]

Well now, 4x6's wouldnt be subs now would they?

[exalted512]

JL comes up with some pretty good ideas...like their 5 channel amp
too bad its all way too expensive?
-Cody

[neomagus00]

i like the 3-ohm rating of the w7, useful in many situations (especially 2 in parallel with their regulated amps??)... i haven't heard any jl subs other than the w0, and i must say that i really didn't like it... not compared to anything else that was on display, especially considering the price... the w0 was about 2/3 the price of the other stuff (namely eclipse aluminiums and some planet subs) and the eclipses and planets blew the w0 out of the water, hands down, no questions asked... i may be demoing a w7 at some point soon, so if i do, i'll post honest first-hand results...

[MacLeod]

Trust me youll like it. It is one hell of a sub. It aint the tallest hog at the trough (I personally think the Orion H2 holds that honor) but its pretty bad ass.

You should check out a W6 if you get a chance. They dont hit as hard as the 7 but are a good bit tighter and more accurate. They also cost half as much! ;)

[exalted512]

ive heard a 10w7 in a sound room and a 12w7 and a 13w7 "in car"
sounded great
the time i heard the 12 was at the same time i first heard the brahma...the brahma seemed to have a more natural, "dry" sound...the w7 has a specific sound--anyone with a some experience can tell you what im talking about...not sure how to explain it...some people like it, some people dont...i could barely tell the difference one way or the other...but there was a difference...im not for or against it though...it certainly doesnt make it a bad woofer...but i did like the brahma better
couldve been the install...who knows?
but at half the price...ill take the brahma with the larger power handling and better motor technology...
-Cody

[MacLeod]

I can agree with that.

Personally, at this level I dont really think theres that much difference. Some models are marginally better in certain areas but when youre in this league, no one sub can whoop another.

[LittleCar_w/12s]

The high-end market runs so head-to-head that it truly comes down to the install...

[MacLeod]

Agreed. You can just look at SQ competitions to see that.

Take Gary Biggs. He was winning at will with Kicker gear, then joins JBL and goes with their gear and continues to layeth the smack down.

As long as you go with quality gear and install it properly youll have a great sounding system regardless if its Dynaudio or JBL.

[neomagus00]

well then why do we buy good gear?

[exalted512]

so we wont have to have as good an install...
lol
-Cody

[neomagus00]

oh, i knew there was a reason... it's so we don't have to fiberglass the entire interior, then...

[exalted512]

yeah or move the steering wheel or weld the seats in different locations or completely redo the dash, not to mention the total rip out and make over of the rest of the car....
-Cody

[LittleCar_w/12s]

.....or rebuild the interior out of MDF and windows out of steel bars and 1" acrylic.......

[MacLeod]

LOL! No kidding!

That was why I never planned on competing. I didnt want to rip out the entire interior of my beloved Dodge and replace it with a $20,000 fiberglass job.

MECA is the only competition sanctioning body that classifies its competitors by vehicle modifications. The Stock and Amateur class allow only one pair of tweeters to be mounted in a non stock location. Everything else has to use OEM provisions. Finally! A class for the real world!