Alpine Type Rs Vs. Sundowns

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Sure. Call us at 563-323-7994, its American Power Systems. They are HPIs. IDK if we will have an HPI to fit your vehicle, but they are in the 280-360 amp range depending on your RPM. If we don't have one to fit your vehicle, we can build you one. Our built ones range in the 180-260 amp but they wont be the HPIs. If your heart was set on HPIs, you would have 2 options. We could custom build one to fit your vehicle, but you don't wanna do that. It is over a grand for a set of custom housings that aren't mass produced, and we aren't going to eat that cost. Or, you could have a local shop build you a custom bracket. The custom bracket will be much cheaper. You'd look at 3000+ plus for a custom HPI, or maybe -800 for a standard HPI and custom bracket.
But if you just went with a custom alt to fit your vehicle. I think they are in the 300-400 range. IDK that for sure, but I'm not sales, audio guys generally hang up on us when they get pricing, so we don't sell many to audio. But believe me, these are way higher quality than the $100 ones you find on ebay. They will give you more reliable power at low RPM and last much longer, and we will give you accurate power ratings, not over inflated ones.

In that case, I think I'll just get a Team GP if I do need another alt. Thanks though, haha

It wasn't to music per say ... I play my stuff for about 15-20 on music, then I usually pop in a bass mekanik CD and use a tone or boomcheck track to get the numbers from... I think I got this clamp from boomcheck 3 or 4 , which I am thinking the rta shows as like 40 and 45 hz alternating tones,iirc,...for 30 seconds .....

Ok, I gotcha. I was just curious

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Welp. Your wrong. I am an American Engineer in the Automotive industry. We DO NOT design products to fail. And you buddy with the Optima probably has some sort of wiring issue, power issue, or bought it used. Optima has warranties and uphold them, here they are. We deal with Optima's all the time. And supply our customers with them and Odyssey Batteries. They hold up for years in all sorts of applications, applications that are much more demanding than anybodies audio system, accept this person we did (and I'm sure a few more very high powered systems).

We also produce HO alternators that last for years. Most of the time they are out of warranty when problems arise, Our warranties aren't huge because people abuse these, 3 year, 30000 miles. The abused ones that their output is way higher than intended for the Alt go out within that time frame, the properly used ones don't come back after 5-6 years, 100000ish miles, and we just fix whats wrong, charge parts and labor.

I completely disagree with your notations. If you read the user manual, and use the product as intended, it will last much longer that they say it will. People generally don't use products correctly. If its flawed, warranties will take care of it.

Lol my reply was for everyday items we use. Not one specific like you mentioned.

Oh BTW...Optima batteries made today ****. Everybody knows this.

 

[tommymilan311]

In that case, I think I'll just get a Team GP if I do need another alt. Thanks though, haha

Looked them up and they are about on par with our pricing. We aren't big into the Audio market, so we don't try to compete with guys like this. We are more contract oriented. But in terms of Alts like this, they likely do the same thing we do, but they paint theirs and make them look a bit more "snazzy".

They look like they have quality products, pricing seems so as well. I'd trust 'em.

 

[tommymilan311]

what are the thoughts on type X Alpines?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I disagree with the notation that you can't buy a box on Ebay. I bought my box on Ebay, much cheaper than building one myself, or at least roughly the same price. I called the place before buying it to ask some questions. Guy said he uses 'em in his car, never had any problems, and he can't build a custom box better, mostly because they are custom built boxes. Also said if I do blow it apart he wants it back to see and will replace it. This of course could be sales tactic, but I'm satisfied. Of course, I haven't custom built a box to really side by side test, but It had the perfect match spec from what the program I used told me, but it was also about the same as what the Alpine UM says, a lil bigger than the Alpine spec. I did say he could build a box to whatever spec I wanted, but it would cost about $30 more because they would have to do "custom cuts." Said they set the cutter up and cut about 100 boxes at the same specs at a time. But they hand glue, screw, and seal the boxes. Here is the Box I bought.

I would have to build my own box for a Sundown however. The box specs I see for the Sundown don't match anything I can find online.

You have obviously never heard the alpines in a proper box, Bass will be even cleaner, louder and lower. Everything on ebay under 100 dollars is basically junk. You put a real woofer in there and they will blow apart in months or less. Guys will BS their way into everything Custom my @ss, does he even understand what custom is? They guy is fking BSing his way into a sale and he succeeded. A box for two 12s cost less than 45 total with all glue screws, caulk and a sheet of 4x8 feet mdf. WAY cheaper than any EBAY junk you buy. Once you go custom, you will see that prefabs are JUNK. Night and day difference. Unless you really like the boomy bass with no linearity of sound and the being able to play from 25hz to 70hz with good roll offs. Because prefabs focus on 40hz to 80hz boomy midbass range, thats what they are basically tuned and geared for.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

what are the thoughts on type X Alpines?

Not as common as R's because of the price. Apparently they have inside and outside coil windings on the former, which i think is cool.

For the money, I'm sure you can get better though.

 

[tommymilan311]

Not as common as R's because of the price. Apparently they have inside and outside coil windings on the former, which i think is cool.
For the money, I'm sure you can get better though.

Probably. Spec wise they seem about the same as the Type Rs. But yeah, 3 times the price. I'm guessing they are something like the Rs but made with better, or more expensive, material. As far as inside out coil winding, I don't really know what that means. I can honestly say I didn't even consider them when doing my build. Just far too expensive, even on the "low."

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Of course it's a specific number. It's exactly what it is making after rise to 2.17 ohms ... They are factory modified Mmats HC amps, they do close to 2k @1 ohm .. It's closer to 1200 perfectly clean, 1480 ish with just the slight bit of the wave clipped. ....

Wow, a subwoofer that's 2.17 ohm at every frequency is fascinating, tell us more.

Shop here in the QC sell DDs and Alpines, Custom Whips. They didn't even try to sway me toward DD. The DD were about twice the price of his Alpines so perhaps that is why. He had super good pricing, 150 for brand new Type R, Amazon has em at 139.99ish, and I got a steal after blowing mine getting the pair for 200. (sent the original one back for a full refund. Don't worry, I didn't buy 3 and only get 2)

DD does almost everything in-house and use top quality materials and parts. They also actually do R&D and they have results to justify their prices. One example of you get what you pay for with them.

what are the thoughts on type X Alpines?

Do they still make them? They used to be excellent. Great sounding woofers that could realistically take 1000W continuous power. Older type X components were even better IIRC OEM'd by Scanspeak, SEAS or one of the other high end European manufacturers

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Probably. Spec wise they seem about the same as the Type Rs. But yeah, 3 times the price. I'm guessing they are something like the Rs but made with better, or more expensive, material. As far as inside out coil winding, I don't really know what that means. I can honestly say I didn't even consider them when doing my build. Just far too expensive, even on the "low."

they arent as loud(not by far), mainly sound quality oriented, really amazing sounding woofers.

 

[tommymilan311]

Do they still make them? They used to be excellent. Great sounding woofers that could realistically take 1000W continuous power. Older type X components were even better IIRC OEM'd by Scanspeak, SEAS or one of the other high end European manufacturers

Yes sir they do. Looks like only 10s though. Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

 

[basswiigee2fix]

DD is not an online brand persay. Actually the opposite. Digital Designs only sells to "brick-and-mortar" shops..

i hate when people say that... DD has a few in store subs... everything else is still shipped to order.. you may find some redlines and what not there... but your not gonna go pick out subs and have installed... atleast not the stuff you want when you picture DD... and why would i wanna pay a shops over head when i can order myself?

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

i hate when people say that... DD has a few in store subs... everything else is still shipped to order.. you may find some redlines and what not there... but your not gonna go pick out subs and have installed... atleast not the stuff you want when you picture DD... and why would i wanna pay a shops over head when i can order myself?

I'm saying you can't order online from DD. You have to go through a brick and mortar shop. Not saying they stock everything.

DD is the only company I know of that protected it's dealers. Not saying I like that, but if I was a dealer, I would.

I have tried to order direct, and they said no. Can't even order Z's direct. Also asked if i could just get composite cones. They said no, so I bought them used.

 

[tommymilan311]

i hate when people say that... DD has a few in store subs... everything else is still shipped to order.. you may find some redlines and what not there... but your not gonna go pick out subs and have installed... atleast not the stuff you want when you picture DD... and why would i wanna pay a shops over head when i can order myself?

Local shop here doesn't seem to charge much overhead. Alpines they had were ever so slightly more than on Amazon. They did have the Redline DDs now that you mention a model type.

If I remember correctly, they actually had this guy on display:

Everything they sold went into a DD box too. Their main thing was to make money off the installs over product. Talked to the guy for like an hour about it.

 

[basswiigee2fix]

I'm saying you can't order online from DD. You have to go through a brick and mortar shop. Not saying they stock everything.
DD is the only company I know of that protected it's dealers. Not saying I like that, but if I was a dealer, I would.

I have tried to order direct, and they said no. Can't even order Z's direct. Also asked if i could just get composite cones. They said no, so I bought them used.

and this is way DD has never seen my business... not cuz i dont want DD in my ride... i dont jump through hoops to get my car audio...lol audioque/soundqubed has seen alot of my business lol gotta love how its all shipped direct from DD... those internet based companies are doing good out here... lol theres sundown in every pawn shop in detroit and surrounding areas... aq/sq popular out here... i dont see much dd and if i do... its off shelve stock... or a guy from forums...

 

[basswiigee2fix]

Local shop here doesn't seem to charge much overhead. Alpines they had were ever so slightly more than on Amazon. They did have the Redline DDs now that you mention a model type.
If I remember correctly, they actually had this guy on display:

Everything they sold went into a DD box too. Their main thing was to make money off the installs over product. Talked to the guy for like an hour about it.

that aint a bad setup... lol what did they sticker that at?

 

[Boominburban 10+ year member]

Here ya go man ...DD Digital Designs 9515 Dual 4 Ohm Audiophile Sub Subwoofer | eBay

 

[tommymilan311]

that aint a bad setup... lol what did they sticker that at?

TBH, that was about a year ago. I think it was in the 300+ range, but IDK for sure. But, I got this off their page:

 

[basswiigee2fix]

DD is good stuff... im just bickering cuz i dont come across as much of it as id like too... lol and i blame their sales setup..

 

[tommymilan311]

DD is good stuff... im just bickering cuz i dont come across as much of it as id like too... lol and i blame their sales setup..

How are they with quality and range? I like my subs to play up to 80 Hz. And I'm looking to upgrade with my next project, whenever that may be.

 

[basswiigee2fix]

How are they with quality and range? I like my subs to play up to 80 Hz. And I'm looking to upgrade with my next project, whenever that may be.

DD subs are beautiful... in every way except price and ease of access.... lol