C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Can the stock subwoofer handle 500w?

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Old Oct 25, 2021 | 04:19 PM
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Can the stock subwoofer handle 500w?

2005 C55 here!

The previous owner installed an aftermarket headunit (I hate it, but at least it plays Bluetooth) and an aftermarket amp (JL audio rd900/5).

The 5th channel on the amp specs are:
  • 200 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4 ohms (4-ohm stable in bridged mode) + 500 watts RMS at 2 ohms
He must have had a big *** aftermarket sub in the car because the stock woofer (rear shelf) is disconnected but there are two heavy wires unconnected in the trunk.

My question is, can I just hook up the stock woofer to the aftermarket amp? Or will I blow up the speaker? Can the outgoing wattage be adjusted down on the amp?



I'm not looking to rock the house, I'm just looking for a simple solution to get some bass back.

Would I be better getting one of those big woofers in a box that the high school kids run in their cars? (I'm too old for that ****, lol)

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Old Oct 25, 2021 | 05:45 PM
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I don't remember what the impedance is of the stock woofer, but I doubt it was anywhere near 2 ohms. You need to look on the amp and see if there's a gain just for that channel, and if so, turn it all the way down if you decide to connect it and then increase from there. But first you'll want to see if the stock woofer has the impedance written on the magnet and then calculate the actual output from there. The stock woofer definitely cannot handle 500w....
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Old Oct 25, 2021 | 07:23 PM
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asdas
The stock subwoofer in the HK system is nominally rated at 2 ohms. I would personally run a 10 or 12" subwoofer that requires a compact box to utilize the power available from the 5th channel of your amp.



There's 10" subwoofers out there that require only a half cubic foot enclosure. You can make/have a box made that fits tight up against the back of the rear seat and give up almost no trunk space.

Last edited by brauhaus313; Oct 25, 2021 at 07:30 PM.
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Old Oct 25, 2021 | 08:29 PM
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Wow! I would've never guessed the factory speakers were 2 ohm...
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Old Oct 25, 2021 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by brauhaus313
The stock subwoofer in the HK system is nominally rated at 2 ohms. I would personally run a 10 or 12" subwoofer that requires a compact box to utilize the power available from the 5th channel of your amp.



There's 10" subwoofers out there that require only a half cubic foot enclosure. You can make/have a box made that fits tight up against the back of the rear seat and give up almost no trunk space.
Yeah, that is what I'm leaning towards. It just seems to be the easiest way.

I also considered going back to stock, but that be even harder. Plus when I searched, it seems everyone hates the stock system.
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Old Oct 25, 2021 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by LukasBMW
Yeah, that is what I'm leaning towards. It just seems to be the easiest way.

I also considered going back to stock, but that be even harder. Plus when I searched, it seems everyone hates the stock system.
The stock system is awful.
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