Quote originally posted by Parasitic_Whim
Ohm: measure of electrical resistance
Watt: unit of measure of energy
A sub with a 2 ohm coil has less electrical resistance, therefore will not make the amplifier push as hard to deliver desired wattage.
However, the less resistance there is in the coil, the less efficient it will be at converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Typically, for car audio applications, I suggest trying to find a sub that can be wired to either 1 or 2 ohms, as that is where most affordable amplifiers can be found to make maximum stable rms power.
The Alpine Type R has been one of the most mainstream subs for the past decade. It's got decent power handling, average efficiency, and average sound quality. Built into a decent box with proper amplification (~500 watts), it can be a very nice sounding sub.
As for the "10s are better for rock and 12s are better for rap" comment. It's bull****. If that were the case, I wouldn't be using dual 18" subs at the concerts I run, I'd be using a buttload of 10s. The only difference in performance between 10s and 12s is efficiency, the 12s will get louder with the same voltage (yes voltage, not wattage). A 12, 15, 18, or hell, even a 21" sub can sound just as clean, tight, and controlled as a 10" sub, provided they are all given proper installations.
If I may, I would suggest one of these:
http://www.diycable.com/main/product_inf...cts_id=653
It's not flashy, it's not a mainstream company, but it's very good design. It has better efficiency, less inductance, greater x-max than most subwoofers out there, which means it will hit louder, lower, cleaner, and tighter than most subwoofers out there. I own two of the older, larger variants of that driver, and they are still the best subs I have ever heard.
I know this is older, but i swear a long time ago i read that an amp running 4 ohms would be putting less strain on the amp than doing 2 ohms. That it wouldnt run as hot and all that. But as i read it again, i may not quite understand the whole part about the ohm load being less strain on the amp. So sorry if i am not quite understanding what your saying.
By the way, everywhere i look about that dd 1508 i hear great things.. I would love to get atleast two of those, maybe eventually 3-4. Surprise the hell out of people with some little 8" subs. Theyre not a bad price, but it adds up if your going to get multiple subs.. Im told they will take a clean 1k rms daily. Theyre only rated for 500 rms on the dd site, but apparently all their subs are way underrated, which i dont doubt.