Yes but most amps would not have a problem with it. Even my arc that is only speced for 2v have no problems with it even when I turn it up. It allows you to have the gains as low as possible which reduces noise even more. Its like saying if the speaker is only rated for 50 watts thats all the power you should ever put to it and more then that is a waste which is not true. Its better to have more then not enough you can always turn it down but if you dont have enough power there is nothing you can do. I dont see why alpine couldnt have decent features in even their top of the line regular decks outside the f#1 of course. meh oh well its where audio is going. Less features to be cheaper.

 

go for the kenwood xxx-828...( i dont remeber the first part f the model)

sold at your local best buy...it had a G-analzer built into the deck...measuring acc. cornering... an HP

pretty neat..also you can control almost every aspect of it...inculding..speaker size sub size...what type of car it is..( truck,suv sport compact work van mini van etc etc..)

 

the only time you will reach 8v is when you play a test tone and maybe max out on the volume on your headunit, which is a no-no. i would just turn the gain all the way down and just watch the volume button.