I have a 10" Rockford Fosgate Punch HE2, it is supposed to get 400 watts RMS,(can handle 800max). I have 2 channels bridged that are sending it 220 watts continuos. It wasnt hitting that hard until I turned up the LP and the Bass EQ for those 2 channels. Then it hit great for my rock CD's, but cant handle more bass, like in rap beats. It seems to bottom out. So i backed off the Bass EQ a little and it went away, but now its not hitting hard, its good but could be better.
Why is a sub thats supposed to get 400 watts, and only gets 220 watts bottoming out on hard hitting bass.
Could it be my box is too small?

Thanks for any advice

 

There's a couple things that could be going on. One is you might be getting clipping on your signal by setting the EQ too high. Think of a the signal in the wave form. If you set the EQ too high it cuts the tips of the wave off, top and bottom. The sound that produces is the same as if the sub was bottoming out because essentiall it is doing the same thing. When the sub is hitting bottom it is clipping the wave when it hits instead of reproducing it clearly.

Now, I said the EQ could be clipping but it could be your amp too if it's getting more signal than it can handle. I don't know much about those subs and you didn't state what other components your running. It could be anything. I ran a crudy amp that was rated for 500watts when I was in high school. It did the same thing when pushed too hard.

Annnd, another thing that could be causing the problem is the box design. It might be causing the subs to travel too far. Without knowing more I'm gonna put my money on the amp not reproducing the signal correctly.

 

I would be willing to be that you are clippling the signal (as mentioned above). Sounds like you are trying to force your sub to play at volumes it can't handle. If you continue to play the sub like this you could damage it.

 

I could explain the whole clipping thing again. I turned down the EQ on the amp, and it seems to be going fine, but now i just dont get enough bass. But next week my component system is being put in and the 6.5 mids should help that.

Anyway I still dont quite understand the clipping, is it that when you turn up the EQ you lessen the wave frequency, it seems like the EQ being turned up sends more signals to the sub, and harder? So could you explain that again, sorry I goofed around in physics class, and im a business major so all this stuff I am re-learning.

Also if you read my signature it tells you my amp and sub. The sub is supposed to get 400 watts RMS, and I'm only giving it 220. So how could it be bottoming out? My box is .66 ft^3. but is said that was ok for a sealed enclosure for this sub.

Anyway I backed of on the EQ, Im not a bass head anyway, jus cant wait to get the component set in and fine tune the whole system.

 

Clipping is just as bad as over powering a speaker. What happened was you probably had the volume cranked to high and the signal from you amp to your sub was clipped. Clipped signals contain dangerous amounts of distortion that can wreak havoc on subwoofer voice coils (generate to much heat).

 

Generate to much heat is exactly right. When the signal is clipped it literally cuts off the top of the waveform.. technically speaking you're trying to output more than is capable by whatever device.. the power supply rail voltage only goes so high and the signal voltage cannot exceed the power supply voltage.

Anyway, what happens is you drive the amplifier into clipping and the top of the wave form is cut creating basically a DC level at the top of the waveform.. the speaker recieves this DC signal and holds its position for however long until the waveform drops back down. During this held position a tremendous amount of heat is built up inside the speaker.. as clipping becomes more severe more and more heat is built up until obviously something ends up failing.. usually a voice coil burns up or something like that. Ultimately, distorting and clipping destroys more speakers than overpowering a speaker.

Here's an ABUNDANT amount of information on everything about car audio..

http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/caraudio.htm

click on #29 on the right menu and it will discuss clipping and too little power to a speaker.

 

I always cringe when somebody drives by with their speakers going "flutter flutter" instead of "boom boom".

 

I read the link and I think that my problems lies in the amp. My amp is clipping the signal. My sub can handle up to 800 watts and is supposed to get 400 RMS, since I am only giving it 220, I dont think i will damage it.
My component system is getting put in soon and I am going to have the guy thats installing it tune my whole system.
The sub was only bottoming out (amp was clipping) on hard hitting rap beats.
By I mostly listen to Rock, and jus test the lows with rap everynow and then, so I should be ok.
Thanks for the replies.
As to what to do if bottoming out persists? Should I buy a new mono amp to power the sub, and maybe use the 4 channel for the component system and replace the rear door speakers with some full range ones? Jus something to save for and look forward to in the distant future.

Thanks for the replies

 

Definitely buy a more powerful amp for your sub. Just make sure you match the power rating (400 watts rms) with the independence of the voice coil(s). Also, if you ever plan on upgrading to a better sub, or even two subs you might want to buy an amp that will provide the power needed when you upgrade.