The Answer is... Yes!

It is very important when buying speakers, subwoofers or an amplifier to understand which items would be best suited to your requirements. However, it can be very technical and therefore difficult to understand. Here is our simple guide to understanding what RMS and Ohms mean and why they matter so much.

What does RMS mean?

Root Means Squared (RMS) is the equation used to measure the average power rating, so this would give you a more accurate idea of an amplifiers power output. If you have an amplifier that says it will give you 1000w peak power but 500W RMS power, then your average power supplied to your subwoofer or speaker would be 500W. RMS ratings are far more accurate than Peak ratings and should be the main thing to consider. We would always recommend that when purchasing a speaker or amplifier, you try to match the RMS ratings of your equipment as best as possible. This will, in turn, give you the most out of your system. Under-powering your products has the same negative potential as over-powering them, as they can cause damage or blow your equipment. Finding that stable in-between is the key to having a system that will stand the test of time. That being said, a 200 watt RMS power rating is how much power a speaker can handle, not how much it requires. You can of course use an amplifier with higher RMS power as long as you are aware of the risks with playing at full volume and avoid playing at levels where the sound becomes distorted; otherwise you will burn the speakers

What does Ohm Mean? 

Ohm or Ω is equally important to RMS. Understanding the power your amplifier will give you at different Ohm's is very important when buying products. For example; if you were to buy an Inphase XT-12, it would come as a dual 2Ω coil subwoofer. Most subwoofers come with instructions in the box to tell you how to wire them to get your desired ohm's, but sometimes combining multiple subwoofers together can change the ohms. If you're unsure, then always seek professional advice! Below you will find a diagram which shows the wiring of a dual 2-ohm coil subwoofer to give a 4-ohm load, so it would be ideally matched with the IPA1001. When bridged, this would give you around 300-400W RMS at 4 Ohms. As it is a dual voice coil subwoofer, you will need to wire up both coils rather than one. Wiring one coil only can damage the sub. A single-coil subwoofer only has 1 negative terminal (black on the diagram) and 1 positive terminal (red on the diagram). Our subwoofer and speaker range is very comprehensive, so if you are looking for an upgrade. You don't have far to look! Or maybe you are looking for an amplifier?