I just got two alpine type E 10 inch subwoofers and a box. The max peak of each sub is 600 watts and the rms is 200 watts. I was wondering which amp I should get and if I should bridge it or not? Should I also get a power capicitator too?

A cap is useless IMO unless your running large amounts of power and even then you will need a large cap like in the 20 and up farad range. Do the big 3 first. At 200 watts rms look for a amp that matches that and I don't think I would bridge it at that low of amount wattage.

Prophet is totally right... You are running low power and I hate to say it, but I think you should have went with type-s' or r's because they are not that more expensive. However, I am glad that you went with alpine. I have 2 type-s' with a 300 watt one channel alpine amp, and this set-up does the job fine. (until I feel like upgrading) The thing you want to remember, is to try to match up the rms power ratings as close as you can... I think that the best amp for you is the Alpine 300 watt one channel v-12. You SHOULD get a ONE channel amp. The power is cleaner and you don't have to worry about the frequencies fighting and cancelling each other out. It's your choice, but I think the Alpine 300w mono channel v-12 is best for you.

I hate to tell you but those guys are wrong about the capacitor. If you're adding anything else to your car that is not OEM you will need a cap. The purpose is to safe the zineor diode from burning out in your altenator. For what you're doing you should only need a 1/2 farad for that, I would recomend 1 farad if you want to upgrade anytime soon. But I do agree with them to find something that will run 200watts rms, yes you can bridge it if you'd like. If you have any other questoins feel free to ask,I've been wiring systems for years.

I stated an opinion so I can't be wrong.;) These are just my experiences and if are pushing that much power to have to worry about burning out the OEM alty then upgrade to a HO alty and the big three. IMO caps are worthless unless you use 20 farads or more. Always do your own research before taking anyone's advice.

Half way between both of them is that if you're drawing extra and you see a change in the electrical system when you have other things going at the same time then it's probably not a bad idea to get a cap. Then you're not putting as much straign on the alternator and electrical system. Might make a differance in the long run. They're not too expensive and I stil plan on getting one when I do my overhaul in the spring.

Well, I wasn't saying it to be a dick Prophet, I've just studied electrical theory extensively and have been nationally certified (MECP) to do this lkind of stuff and if you do the equations it will show that you need a cap. Like I said if it's a small load and your altinator can handle it then no problem, you can upgrade to a larger altenator but eventually if you put enough of a load on it you will need the capacitor. And 20 farads is quite a lot, generally you are rated about a 1000watts to every 1 farad. Not trying to put down your opinions, just throwing out some facts. Having worked at Best Buy for two years I have heard your same argument hundreds of times and had tons of people tell me I'm full of it and stupid. But every person that has told me that was back in to get a cap in less than 3 months. I also worked at Nissan for a bit and I say a kid go through 3 batteries and an altenator because he didn't want to put a cap on. They mainly help supress voltage spikes wich your battery and altenator do not like. Hopefully no hard feeling man, I'm deffinatly not trying to bash on anyones input. My apologies if you took it that way.

No didn't take it like that bro. This is the internet kind of hard to tell when someone is trying to be one or not anyway. Caps are like BOVs. Everyone has an opinion on them. Some like to vent into the atmospher and some say don't because it screws with your engine. Some say use a cap for every 1000 watts and some say don't bother just upgrade your alty and big three. Some say don't even bother with the big three just get another battery. I just like to tell people to gather as much info as they can and then make your own trusted decision on what or which way they would like to pursue. I respect your opinion as long as you can respect mine and I don't call anyone stupid. Thats not nice..:)

I personally am not certified in anything. I just go by what I know and what experiece I have. Been doing this before I was even able to drive. Honestly I had my first set of woofers and amps before I had my car. Now that I am 28 I have alot of knowledge but nothing certified and went to school for. I dabble in everything really.

Totally respect your input man and I don't know if ou meant literally call you stupid or were just saying the repect thing but I never saye stupid......But glad you didn't take it the wrong way.

lol When you made this comment....

I have heard your same argument hundreds of times and had tons of people tell me I'm full of it and stupid.

I don't call people stupid that is just not nice. I try to respect everyone and hope to get some repect back. Even though that doestn't always work.

LOL......No man I was saying that the people that would argue the fact with me would tell me that I am stupid.

ORIGINAL: customizedrides

LOL......No man I was saying that the people that would argue the fact with me would tell me that I am stupid.


:D lol yeah I know... I am one of those people. What I am saying is that I wouldn't call you stupid just misguided. This is starting to become a joke that where both not getting. lmao

What do you have in your trunk?

LOL AWW I get it now.....So I'm misguided huh? :P Nicely Put

I'm a guy who actually just bought a 1990 Mirage to strickly use as a car audio competition vehicle.

My opinion is to not go with a capacitor of any sort. If you buy a good enough amp, then 1 farad cap isn't going to do much of anything for you. If you want to get a little more power, then try upgrading your battery. I personally prefer Optima Batteries (they made by Interstate). There Red Tops are great for giving you that little bit of extra juice.

As far as amps go, I would definately go with something around 300 watts. My personal favorite is the Crossfire 302. It's a two channel 300 watt RMS (not maximum power) amp. I run Crossfire amps in my daily driver and will run their amps in my Mirage once I start competing with it.

The thing I like the most about Crossfire amps is the fact that they are underrated. They're rated at 12.5 volts where most other amps are rated as high as 16 volts. Well, your electrical system in your car will only run at about 14.5 volts maximum. Therefore, with a 302, although it's rated at 300 RMS, you could very well get up to 350 watts regularly.

Anyways, these are just my thoughts. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Well for what he would be using for a set up a 1 farad cap would be sufficient. And they are not ment to give the amp morepower they are ment to be a direct power supply so that the voltage spikes draw from there instead of your battery. Up the battery all you want, the more juice you pull, the harder the alternator works and the faster both of them die. A cap has nothing to do with how good your amp is or how well it will sound. It's all about protecting the OEM equipment and allowing the amp to get the full power needed to perform at top levle.

i, personally, am all for capacitors... i dont particularly like my lighs dimming down at night when my system hits and thats what capacitors are supposed and DO do.. they really do help out ur electronics alot and im running an EFX 1 fared right now with my 2 Kenwood 800 Watt amps and im planning on getting another EFX 1 fared capacitor because my lights still slightly dim. I dunno.. i never realized how people can disagree on something that is so obvious... Capacitors are definatley worth your money...

Well guys, I'm not going to disagree with you. If there's one thing I've learned about car audio these past of couple of years it's that opinions are like a**holes: everyone has one and they all stink.

I will say in my defense that my lights don't dim one bit either. And you're right it's probably not all because of the battery although that does help some. The two other main reasons why my lights don't dim is 1) because I run amps can perform a lower voltages and don't need 14+ volts to not clip and 2) I upgraded my 90 amp alt to a 200 amp Ohio Generator.

I will agree that caps help, but I personally don't want to go that route for a number of reasons. First and foremost, if I'm going to get one, I want one that is more than just one farad. Problem is, the sanctioned organizations I compete in, I can't have over 1 farad in my division without breaking the rules.

Even if I did get a Batcap or something like that, I'd be screwed if I left town for a week and didn't touch my car. Those bigger farad caps are known to drain your battery if left sitting for awhile.

Just my two cents though.

Have you ran a Batcap before? I was looking into those a couple months back and they seem pretty intresting but nothing that I took to serious. I would like to know from someone who has used it what they thought about it and the pro's and con's. lol I am not even sure if I really need something like that.