Do I need a receiver to power my subwoofer?

What kind of amp do i need to power this subwoofer?

• i'm looking for an amp that would give the best power for this subwoofer. you don't have to tell me an exact type just what to look for in the specs of an amp that'll power the subwoofer best. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-XSL124P5B-12-Inch-Capless-Subwoofer/dp/B000NNPXYC/ref=wl_it_dp_v?ie=UTF8&coliid=I876970VYMLUH&colid=1DG0B4QQ9JW3B

• Answer:

  The nominal rating on that speaker is 380watts. That means if you power this speaker below 380 watts, you may damage it. This speaker has a 1400 watts maximum and a single 4 ohm voicecoil. this means that you need an amp that will output to one channel, 4 ohm load and from 400-1400 watts. I would not scrimp on the amp. Something like a $75 pyle, boss, or pyramid will not do a very good job. They lie on the power ratings. I would get something like a sony, pioneer, clarion, rockford fosgate, spine, kenwood... 500watts or so, with active crossover and mono channel output @4 ohms... This is called "bridgeable" in the car stereo world. I have a rockford fosgate mono 500 and it destroys the sound quality and output of the 4,000watt cheapo brands... i am not even kidding. The main thing is that you want one that will give mono output at 4 ohms.