Subwoofer/Amp thread

[007CobaltLS]

OK, so the idea here, anyone who's into car audio can post here.

Since it's all subjective in terms of what your ears/brain interpret to like and personal preference, there should be no arguing and no bashing.

I'm curious what subs and amps you've used and what you like the most. Also, what kind of music do you listen to and what is your style? (SPL, SQL, SQ, etc).

Let it rip.

 

[sonic007]

Ive used a few different set ups. I think my favorite was 2 alpine type r 12s and 2 mrp-m500 amps in a custom ported box. It was super loud and hit lows like a beast. I used to have an Fi BL 15 and it was ok. Had it on a Power Acoustik 2000.1d amp at 1 ohm. That amp is AMAZING for 130 bucks. held up perfect. Ive been a car audio installer for about 5 years now so, nothing in the sonic as of yet. Not really into the bass anymore. May do a single 8 inch to help fill in but..

 

[007CobaltLS]

Sadly, I haven't had many different setups. My first couple subs were JL's. I've always used 10's...only had 1 12 which was a cheap Pioneer that I paid less than 25 shipped for on ebay and it surprisingly wasn't bad for just something to fill the space.

I don't remember my systems piece by piece...but I've had the following subs:

JL 10w0...what to say...it was my first sub...it provided bass, that's all I can say.

JL 10w3v2 (bought it on ebay and seller lied...it was blown)...luckily I got my money back and never had to ship it back to him...I think it's packed in a box somewhere in the garage at my mom's...

JL 10w6v2 (I actually really loved this sub...I probably won't ever buy any JL subs again but this is one I didn't regret buying).

Pioneer 12" (no clue what model, but it was pretty old...late 90's model I believe...cheap, but actually sounded OK...pushed a good amount of air for what it was. I think this was better than the 10w0 I had.

Boston G5 10" This was my most recent sub and it was amazing, but I realize that I'm not looking for that much power anymore...I want bass, but I don't need that much. I had it hooked to a Kenwood 2ch pushing 470w RMS...had the gain backed down to 3/4.

I've used Lightning Audio mono amp, Alpine MRD-M500, a couple different Kenwood, and not sure what else for amps.

I have a Coustic 400S that I picked up for nothing on a local car forum that I had planned to use, but then decided to go with the G5 so I needed a bigger amp. After I sold that stuff, I still have the 400S sitting around.

 

[007CobaltLS]

My plan is to try out some 8's. Not sure what to go with though...a few of the subs I'm considering are:

Sundown E8v2/v3
Image Dynamics ID8 v3
Memphis MClass MCP8S4
Polk MM840

I also looked at RE Audio REx and a few others, but not sure I'd be happy with those.

I don't have any experience with any of these and I haven't seen any in person...only what I see on youtube or read about.


My criteria in looking...has to be an 8. Either 4 ohm SVC or 2 ohm DVC. 150-250w RMS handling (don't really want to go above 250). Built more for quality rather than loudness. I want something that will do well with any tight, quick drum kicks.

I listen to a lot of mixed music. Mainly I listen to classic rock (60's, 70's, little bit of 80's thrown in, but no hair bands...examples...Joe Walsh, The Eagles, Clapton, CCR, Cream, The Who, Guess Who, Pink Floyd, etc, etc, etc.). I also like the heavy rock from the 90's and the EARLY 2000's. I graduated high school in 02 and it seems like a lot of the good hard rock/metal/whatever went away between 02 and 04. Then I do listen to the occasional top 40 type station, a tiny bit of rap, a little electronica/techno/whatever type music.


I'm thinking about trying a single 8 right now with the Coustic amp...if I like it, I'll toss it in the Cobalt for now. When I get the sonic, my plan is to go with 2 8's in the spare tire area...so right now I'm just looking to buy one sub to try...either build a box or buy a prefab for now...doesn't matter to me. Later, I will add a 2nd sub and then buy a new amp that can handle the pair of subs.

Give me some ideas. THANK YOU!!



I recently saw a Focal 30A1 which was amazing, but I don't want to go with a 12...or even a 10 (25A1)...plus I want to keep it a little cheaper.

 

[sonic007]

A few of my buddies have the Sundown 8s and they are rediculous. Ive never heard 2 8s sound that loud. I havnt heard them built for sq yet but put them in a ported box with tons of power and they will blow your ears away.

 

[Hectic]

I had 2 12" Kicker Comps with a Kenwood 600w mono block( can't remember model).

Now I'm using a 12W3v3-2 with Focal Solid 1 in a prefabbed ported box. Haven't had time to solve any vibration or get a custom box done. It's loud, it flexes, droops the mirror, and vibrates the rear hatch PRETTY good. Even with a bit of Cache.

 

[007CobaltLS]

Decided I'm going to pick up a Polk MM840 SVC and a Sound Ordinance prefab box. I'll just use the Coustic amp I have for now.

I'll be upgrading the wiring in the box to 12 gauge. I'll also make sure that the terminal is sealed well enough (in the past I've found that prefab boxes aren't really sealed well there. The last prefab box I bought I got without the stupid terminal...then I bought a pair of terminals that I drilled through the box and screwed through...kept it sealed really nicely...also added a little bit of caulking just to make sure.

Anyway...so I'll run the 8" in a .35 cu ft sealed box. See what I think...if I like it enough, I'll pick up a 2nd one to use and a new amp. If I use the 2nd sub and amp in the Cobalt before transferring to the next car, I'll just build a box and save some money.

Sub is discontinued, but there are enough out there still so I'm not worried about that...can get it for about $100. The box will be $40...getting a Polk speaker grille to protect it as well...another $20. Then the misc. speaker wire will be rather cheap from a local audio shop where I can buy it by the foot.

For less than $200 I'll be up and running...and for less than double that I can run a dual 8" setup with a better amp.

EDIT: By double I mean for less than $400 MORE I will have a 2nd sub, good amp, and build a box.

 

[onefour movement]

I went with 3 12" DC audio subs sealed enclosure.

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