$300 Budget Build

[LongThrow]

NOTE - I am very limited with money currently - I know it takes a quite a bit of money to be satisfied with this hobby and to do things properly. But nevertheless, this will still be an upgrade from my first few attempts.

I just needed either ONE sub, with a ported box, and an amp - OR - TWO subs with a sealed box, and amp.

I think I'm leaning towards a Infinity Reference 1262w or a PPI SN.12

This is the PPI SN.12 box specs

Minimum Sealed Box Volume 1.0 cubic feet

Optimum Sealed Box Volume 1.25 cubic feet

Minimum Ported Box Volume 1.5 cubic feet

Optimum Ported Box Volume 2.0 cubic feet

This is the Reference box specs ,

Minimum Sealed Box Volume 1.25 cubic feet

Optimum Sealed Box Volume

Maximum Sealed Box Volume 1.25 cubic feet

Minimum Ported Box Volume 2.0 cubic feet

Optimum Ported Box Volume

Maximum Ported Box Volume 2.0 cubic feet

and as you can see , very similar. I'm kinda leaning on the sn.12

Pair of Infinity Reference 1262W (REF1262W) 12" Dual 4 ohm Subs

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_68774_Precision-Power-PPI-SN.12.html

ONE of those, in this box

2 Cu. Ft. Custom-Ported MDF Subwoofer Enclosure for 12" Round Sub (2.0 @ 32Hz)

2.0cf, 32hz 1 1/4 MDF front baffle - prefab but looks pretty decently constructed

OR go a bit of a different route in terms of the box and put TWO of either the Infinity or PPI (because I'm on a strict budget) in this box

Dual 12" Sealed Car Subwoofer 3/4" MDF Enclosure/Box 2.46 Cu Ft

yes I know, a **** poor prefab. But for a sealed application, there's not much to them. And for $50 bucks it will hold me over until I can get some real gear.

So regardless if I used 1, or 2 subs, I would use this amp MB Quart ONYX OA750.1 750 Watt RMS Mono Car Amplifier Amp W/ Bass Remote | Audio Savings and just run 1 sub @ 4 ohm, and if I decided to run 2, I would run them @ 2 ohms.

So tl;dr im on a budget, and want a set up that can get as loud as the resources I have allow me to get, just need a system to listen to until I can get a real build.

If you guys see a better alternative set up that can be done for not a dime over $300 let me know. I KNOW that isn't a lot to work with, but there are still options - and I want to make sure i'm getting the best one until I can get a real set up going.

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[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

Buy used from local. save as much money as you can and put towards your real build. you can pick up pairs of 10"s or 12"s in boxes pretty regularly for $100 and sometimes pretty decent ones. The amp you have chosen should do ok. I would check for a used amp on eBay personally. You can find mainstream barands (kicker, fosgate, etc pretty regularly in that power range for $100 or less). Also if you go used you likely can get most of your money back when you sell it.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

If you are doing a budget build, i'd seriously recommend looking at the JBL GT5s and building your own box. You are wasting most of that budget on a pre-fab. Its not hard to build a square box, cut holes and glue even without the proper tools.

This is what they can do on 400 watts.



If you seriously want to do a prefab route, do 4 of the jbls 12 with sealed prefabs boxes.... Or two of the GT5 15s in sealed boxes

 

[LongThrow]

If you are doing a budget build, i'd seriously recommend looking at the JBL GT5s and building your own box. You are wasting most of that budget on a pre-fab. Its not hard to build a square box, cut holes and glue even without the proper tools.
This is what they can do on 400 watts.

Honestly, I would rather just go the prefab route FOR THE TIME BEING. Will get into building my own box when I have some more money to work with. I don't have ANY tools, nor the time. I know that ported box is pricey for a prefab, but I don't mind spending the extra money on the box, are you saying the jbls in that sealed box would better perform than the infinities or ppi respectively?

 

[LongThrow]

Buy used from local. save as much money as you can and put towards your real build. you can pick up pairs of 10"s or 12"s in boxes pretty regularly for $100 and sometimes pretty decent ones. The amp you have chosen should do ok. I would check for a used amp on eBay personally. You can find mainstream barands (kicker, fosgate, etc pretty regularly in that power range for $100 or less). Also if you go used you likely can get most of your money back when you sell it.

I've been looking online for WEEKS, on offerup, craigslist, pawn shops have junk gear and charge as much as you would get for brand new. I figured these subs and amp + box combo would do well for the price tag.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Honestly, I would rather just go the prefab route. I know that ported box is pricey for a prefab, but I don't mind spending the extra money on the box, are you saying the jbls in that sealed box would better perform than the infinities or ppi respectively?

They seem to get a good bit louder than the infinities i've heard. The infinites are smooth sounding, not really loud, the JBLs have a more aggressive impact in the lows while still sounding great on music.

If you are going prefab, i'd highly suggest you staying away from ported prefabs no matter how good they might look, just steer clear. Just go with big cone area in sealed, you'll get much more pleasing results.

If you want a cheaper option Do two of the GT5 15s in sealed

 

[LongThrow]

They seem to get a good bit louder than the infinities i've heard. The infinites are smooth sounding, not really loud, the JBLs have a more aggressive impact in the lows while still sounding great on music.
If you are going prefab, i'd highly suggest you staying away from ported prefabs no matter how good they might look, just steer clear. Just go with big cone area in sealed, you'll get much more pleasing results.

If you want a cheaper option Do two of the GT5 15s in sealed

Yeah, I will check off the references. I am still torn between the PPIs or the JBLs though, is that amp a good deal for $100?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I've been looking online for WEEKS, on offerup, craigslist, pawn shops have junk gear and charge as much as you would get for brand new. I figured these subs and amp + box combo would do well for the price tag.

JBL GT5-15 15" Single 4 ohm GT Subwoofer - Sonic Electronix

Amazon.com : Atrend E15D B Box Series 15-Inch Dual Sealed Bass Boxes : Vehicle Subwoofer Boxes : Car Electronics

Around 250 after taxes. 50 dollars under budget and should get decently loud off your current amp.

Yeah, I will check off the references. I am still torn between the PPi's though, is that amp a good deal for $100?

i'd stay away from ppi subs. Amps are their strong point not subs.

Amp is so so okay for the money, dont see much out doing it.

 

[LongThrow]

JBL GT5-15 15" Single 4 ohm GT Subwoofer - Sonic Electronix
Amazon.com : Atrend E15D B Box Series 15-Inch Dual Sealed Bass Boxes : Vehicle Subwoofer Boxes : Car Electronics

Around 250 after taxes. 50 dollars under budget and should get decently loud off your current amp.

i'd stay away from ppi subs. Amps are their strong point not subs.

Amp is so so.

I feel like the amp, those subs and box would hold me over until I can get something interesting working here. I have all these ideas and no money to accomplish it. And the $300 budget is amp included - which is why I have set the bar so slow for the box - I figured a sealed prefab is good enough to a custom made sealed box. If you could find a decent amp that will do rated, don't need anymore than 750w @ 2 ohms

 

[LongThrow]

JBL GT5-15 15" Single 4 ohm GT Subwoofer - Sonic Electronix
Amazon.com : Atrend E15D B Box Series 15-Inch Dual Sealed Bass Boxes : Vehicle Subwoofer Boxes : Car Electronics

Will those subs get loud in a 1.1cf box?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I feel like the amp, those subs and box would hold me over until I can get something interesting working here. I have all these ideas and no money to accomplish it. And the $300 budget is amp included - which is why I have set the bar so slow for the box - I figured a sealed prefab is good enough to a custom made sealed box. If you could find a decent amp that will do rated, don't need anymore than 750w @ 2 ohms

amp is fine. Buy the dual 15 box and one 15 run that one, when you have a bit more money, buy the other 15. the box has a divider

Will those subs get loud in a 1.1cf box?

the box on amazon is 2 cubes for each 15.

4 cubes total. the box dimensions check out.

 

[LongThrow]

amp is fine. Buy the dual 15 box and one 15 run that one, when you have a bit more money, buy the other 15.


the box on amazon is 2 cubes for each 15.

4 cubes total. the box dimensions check out.

read it wrong, thought the 2.10 cf was split between the two of them. as in 2.10 total. Thanks for the help man, lets hope I can get loud with this cheap set up. Thats the goal. this is going in the trunk of an unsealed 91 honda accord. I have the rear deck speaker holes open to somewhat open up the cabin more. Kinda creates a bandpassy effect, but i kinda like it, its not too peaky. I have yet to do a full overhaul on this car for a real system.

 

[LongThrow]

amp is fine. Buy the dual 15 box and one 15 run that one, when you have a bit more money, buy the other 15. the box has a divider

Didn't think of that! I will have to settle for one, I surely hope it will suffice lol thanks again

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

read it wrong, thought the 2.10 cf was split between the two of them. as in 2.10 total. Thanks for the help man, lets hope I can get loud with this cheap set up. Thats the goal. this is going in the trunk of an unsealed 91 honda accord. I have the rear deck speaker holes open to somewhat open up the cabin more. Kinda creates a bandpassy effect, but i kinda like it, its not too peaky. I have yet to do a full overhaul on this car for a real system.

If you can fold your seats down, you'll get a crap ton louder. Have the subs facing the trunk and as close to the trunk lid as possible like 4-6 inches away.

When you want it loud for the driver seat, have the driver window up and the passenger window rolled half way down. It'll get the driver side louder. Vice versa when you are giving demos.

Yeah once you get both 15s in, I'm pretty sure it should satisfy you for a good bit since you were comming from a pair of kicker 10s, these should knock your socks off... Will most likely drown your mids and highs and cause horrible rattles everywhere.

 

[LongThrow]

If you can fold your seats down, you'll get a crap ton louder. Have the subs facing the trunk and as close to the trunk lid as possible like 4-6 inches away.
When you want it loud for the driver seat, have the driver window up and the passenger window rolled half way down. It'll get the driver side louder. Vice versa when you are giving demos.

Yeah once you get both 15s in, I'm pretty sure it should satisfy you for a good bit since you were comming from a pair of kicker 10s, these should knock your socks off... Will most likely drown your mids and highs and cause horrible rattles everywhere.

Yeah I'll face the seats down next time. And if I was driving down the road should I still have the window half way down? Would 2 12 inch gt5s be louder in the same box (but made for 12s obv) than 1 15? I think it more cost effective to have 2 12s for 100 than 1 15 for 85? Just thinking out loud

And I had 2 12s, but that's not even worth mentioning eh lol