Subwoofer Upgrade?

[xX 70 ELIT3 Xx]

Sooo, I've been lurking the forums for about 2 months and using the useful guides and information from all the helpful people on the forum. I finally registered, and will now make use of the community knowledge. I have what I figure is a rather specific question, and the search function didn't help all to much. I currently run a 250 rms Rockford fosgate sub with a 250 watt rms JL audio amp. I don't know much more, I kinda inherited the setup from my older brother. But I want to upgrade to a Kenwood 400 watt rms sub with a Hifonics 400w rms to 1200 watt total amp. My question(s) is what kind of gains can I expect, and would it be worth the money to do it? And what would be a change to this setup to make it better? I figured this forum was the best chance I had at getting this answered

P.S. sorry for being so longwinded

 

[2000BlackCoupe]

someone with more knowledge correct me if im wrong, but for every time you double the power, you gain about 3dbs. but i know going from 850wrms to about 1200 made a huge difference when i had my type rs

 

[cmgreensr]

I'm gonna sound like a true old man here for just a moment and by old I must state, not 40 yet. When I was late teens, early 20's, I always had a couple 12's, plexiglass covered hifonics amps, neon sub boxes, whatever.

All the stories people tell you about messing up your hearing is true. I didn't listen either. I'm not deaf by any means by I sure can't hear as good as when I was younger. Just be careful how loud you are trying to go.

That's enough of my old man crap, please carry on.

 

[lashlee]

2000 is correct that up to a point you need to double the power to gain 3 db's (which is generally considered the smallest amount of noticeable change). Some drivers will only accept a certain amount power before you meet the mechanical limit. If you want big sound (and big numbers) look for a sub and amp that compliment each other and a sub with a larger x max (which is the amount of excursion the cone can travel).

 

[agginline86]

2000 is correct that up to a point you need to double the power to gain 3 db's (which is generally considered the smallest amount of noticeable change). Some drivers will only accept a certain amount power before you meet the mechanical limit. If you want big sound (and big numbers) look for a sub and amp that compliment each other and a sub with a larger x max (which is the amount of excursion the cone can travel).

+1

more often than not it comes down to personal preference, especially when taking into consideration what your goals are.

 

[xX 70 ELIT3 Xx]

I'm gonna sound like a true old man here for just a moment and by old I must state, not 40 yet. When I was late teens, early 20's, I always had a couple 12's, plexiglass covered hifonics amps, neon sub boxes, whatever.

All the stories people tell you about messing up your hearing is true. I didn't listen either. I'm not deaf by any means by I sure can't hear as good as when I was younger. Just be careful how loud you are trying to go.

That's enough of my old man crap, please carry on.

I appreciate the concern. But not to worry, although I have it up pretty loud sometimes, I'm not blaring 24/7. This setup is the most powerful I'd ever go, I don't really want the loudest speaker in my town or anything like that. Just trying to improve my experience. And unfortunately, my buddy blew out my sub with a bass test track. Pulled it all apart and she's done. So there's a nearby shop offering me 60 bucks for my amp, and I'm just gonna bite the bullet or see what the owner recommends. Thanks for the help everyone.