aluminum or copper coils

[notw 10+ year member]

I am looking at the AudioQue HDC312-A-D1(w/ aluminum coil) or the HDC312(copper coil). Now I just finished some extensive research on the subject and I have no real answers.

---------Aluminum--------/------Copper-------=----Aluminum------/---Copper----

(Better-heat-displacement/more-power-handling=less-power-needed/more-durability)

Does anyone have some experience with the aluminum coil version and has compared it in person to the copper version?

[SIDE QUESTION]Is the HDC312 gonna be louder/better SQL than a 12" JL w7?

Click to read more...

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

just get the jl w7. you will be much happier

 

[notw 10+ year member]

I am not going to buy a JL anything. I have heard many w7 setups and I was using it as a comparison in sound quality...

You say you have the hdc 15 how do you like yours. Is the coil wrapped in copper wire or aluminum?

I was actually thinking of upgrading to a 15 as I have been wanting to get into enclosure design but I really don't have the time much less the extra money.

Like I was saying everyone around where I live has JL or Pioneer and I can't test an AQ sub out so I was trying to use the best of what I have heard as a reference. I did some research and I don't think Alpine or JL is going to do for me.

 

[01 S 10 10+ year member]

i have 2 HD3's (not hdC3's), alum VC's with 2kw to each and they hardly ever get even warm and they take the power with ease. i have not used the copper VC's to compare them.

 

[notw 10+ year member]

Yeah from what I have seen in my research the only thing the aluminum would do is increase the sensitivity so long im not overpowering it.. and I am not going to be overpowering the sub so no problems.

HD's. That an older model? Aw man.. I would absolutely love to have to 2 15's but I need at least half of my back seat. I really might try a single 15... I have a 2.5c/ft probox that I could give to my woman and I could start a 4.5c/ft project!!!

Hmmm... ok. I hear nothing but good things about the AQ co so I believe I will try them out. You should make me a video of your 2 15's, of the sheet metal flex and what not, that would make this decision that much easier. I was also looking at the Fi BL but I trust AQ more for some reason...

Anyone know which is better:Fi BL12 or the AQ HDC312

 

[notw 10+ year member]

Going to sleep.. will check back 2morrow

 

[thorshammer1 10+ year member]

i have 2 HD3's (not hdC3's), alum VC's with 2kw to each and they hardly ever get even warm and they take the power with ease. i have not used the copper VC's to compare them.

I have 2 HD310's d2 copper coils. They run off an Atomic 5k and they love it! And yes I have them parralled to run at .5ohm.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

This pr. has always had copper coils and has seen 2 Atomic 7k's. I really never had any problems getting hot.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

If ya ever wanna get rid of your motors shoot me a p.m.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[MasterOfAllBass 10+ year member]

just go with the hdc with copper. you will be happy. Im going to be putting 2200rms into each of my hdc315 and there copper

 

[notw 10+ year member]

I am using a 1000wrms at 2Ohms amp.. Do you think it would benefit me to go with aluminum since I'm not going to be pushing over the heat rating anyway? I want to juice my 1000watts for every decibel possible.

One more question.. I have an Alpine MRD-M1000. Would the AQ1200D, in your humble opinion, be a better choice concidering the wide spectrum of adjustment options and digital controls on the Alpine?

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

I talked to the man himself about this same thing and he told me to go copper for my application. I am gonna use a 2200D for my 12. I don't compete or anything like that so DJ suggested the copper 12.

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

my 12 is copper and my 15 is alum. id just go with the copper no point in paying extra money for alum coils. when the copper coils are just fine

 

[terra 5,000+ posts]

aluminum is louder above 2k iirc.

 

[Kyle_Keating 10+ year member]

if its an overhung design, aluminum is going be louder and run cooler because of its huge mass to conductivity advantage.

copper may be more conductive

copper may have better thermal coefficient.

here is what people neglect:

copper is nearly three times as heavy! generally i have noticed a 2dB drop in sensitivity which means, you'll have to put a lot more power into a copper coil into order for it to get as loud as an aluminum coil.

Things get complicated when you consider the resonator SPL - port/passive radiator. The deal is here, mass is not so much affected which is why many/most SPL woofer are copper. The sensitivity of the resonator actually is about the same with copper or aluminum which means the copper gets the advantage with its thermal cooling properties. But how many of us here buy as speaker to play at one frequency? Any even so, the advantage is not very substantial, especially on the first burp. This is also reinforced with the fact that most SPL woofers are non-linear motor designs which mean they don’t have long overhung coils which means the coil mass itself is relativity less percentage of the moving mass. So switching it to copper is not going to be as detrimental as say a long overhung coil design.

Copper becomes very advantageous when you’re confined to a limited space and you want to increase the BL to reduce the box volume requirements. Small box woofers are typically copper. So if you’re interested in making box, especially a ported one, look into copper coils.

Other than that, aluminum is the way to go. Most people will benefit from aluminum which is why its used. Its not so much a cost issue.

 

[notw 10+ year member]

here is what people neglect:

copper is nearly three times as heavy! generally i have noticed a 2dB drop in sensitivity which means, you'll have to put a lot more power into a copper coil into order for it to get as loud as an aluminum coil.

Thanks.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

get copper and a 2200d and you'll be set. DJ will tell you the same thing. I'm running 3k to each of my copper HDC's with no issues, just have to be careful...