Better than a FI Q for me?

[crosjr 10+ year member]

So a little background on my previous system. I had 2 PG RSD 12s in a sealed box powered by a Power Acoustik A1800DB @ 1 ohm. For highs I had PG RSD65cs powered by an Eclipse XA4000 and some re-fill 5x7s. This system sounded great and blended well but the tweeters were definitely too harsh. I sold this car and decided to build a different system in my new car. It is an 09 Hyundai Accent hatchback, nothing impressive in any kind of way.

In my new car I currently have a 12" FI Q with BP option in a sealed box, I believe around 1.3 cu ft with a little polyfill. This box fits very snug and I would like to keep it. Powering this is an AQ1200D @ 1ohm. For front stage I have the PPI 356CS powered by the same Eclipse XA4000 bridged and no re-fill. I listen to practically every genre; rock, classic rock, classical, rap, techno, metal. Overall, this sytem is just lacking for me. It could just be the car but I did sound deaden the entire thing.

First the PPIs...they just don't have the volume or midbass the PGs did. The tweeters sound a million times better but the mids are extremely lacking to me. I have them cut at 80hz @ 6db to avoid distortion and bumped up 100hz to gain some midbass back but it still doesn't compare to the output of the PGs. I can't send them anymore power without distortion even though I have plenty left on the XA4000. The doors are completely sealed and sound deadened. Actually it took me an entire day to do the 2 doors thanks to the huge holes I had to seal.

Now the FI Q...man this sub has given me such internal conflict. First off, it sounds amazing. It is very deep, accurate and the volume for 1 12" is great. However, it is very lacking with upper bass. This combined with the PPIs lack of midbass is causing a huge gap in my frequency response. It is very obvious in rap and rock songs (like Sublime). The PGs had great upper bass compared to the Fi, but with the new car I can only fit 1 sub sealed and 1 PG just doesn't have enough output for me.

I am pretty sure I will be going with the Hertz HSK 165s to swap out the PPIs and achieve the volume and midbass I am looking for. However, I will definitely listen to any suggestions on that part. But the real purpose of this thread is to get a sub suggestion. I need something like the Fi Q, only better in the upper bass area without losing the low bottom and volume. In fact gaining volume with some loss to SQ is acceptable. I like it loud and to sound good, so call it "SQL" if you want but this is just a daily driver. I know this forum generally frowns upon sealed but that is my only option in this vehicle. From what I have read the IDMax seems like the next step. Lets say limit of $500. Sorry but I am not interested in used products(I have trust issues). Any help is appreciated.

Cliffs: Need sub suggestion better than Fi Q for upper bass without losing volume or low end. Sealed ~1.3cu ft. Powered by AQ1200D @ 1ohm so need dual 2 ohm. Losing SQ is acceptable to a certain degree. $500 limit.

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[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

please define this upper bass that you speak of?

you might want to down size to a 10" sub and go ported

 

[Qbenjamin 10+ year member]

please define this upper bass that you speak of?
you might want to down size to a 10" sub and go ported

Exactly what I was thinking, because my 10" Q hits pretty hard on all notes.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

Exactly what I was thinking, because my 10" Q hits pretty hard on all notes.

aren't you selling your Q? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[C_FOSTER 10+ year member]

Yea I say down size to a 10 and do a ported box tuned to like 40hz.

 

[Chrispy 10+ year member]

You could try taking out the polyfill or throwing in some 2x4s to take up space. You might lose a little lowend but it should bring up the higher bass notes. Just something free and easy to try.

 

[grimreper912003 5,000+ posts]

Yea I say down size to a 10 and do a ported box tuned to like 40hz.

Thats a little to high. I would say from 33-37hz Ported.

Try selling your 12" Fi Q and moving to a 10"

OR

Building a new ported box for your Fi Q 12". 1.5-2cu ft @ 33-37hz. Try using a 4" Aero port to A.) save space and B.) make it easier to retune to your liking.

 

[crosjr 10+ year member]

please define this upper bass that you speak of?
you might want to down size to a 10" sub and go ported

I guess I meant it more of a generalization since I haven't plotted out with test tones but I would guesstimate the gap is in 60-90hz.

 

[crosjr 10+ year member]

You guys think a 10" will have the volume I am looking for? I don't have the room for a 12" ported as much as I may like the idea.

 

[grimreper912003 5,000+ posts]

Cone area isnt everything //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif. Talk to dave over at PSI about your goals. He can try to build a sub to your goals.

 

[C_FOSTER 10+ year member]

You guys think a 10" will have the volume I am looking for? I don't have the room for a 12" ported as much as I may like the idea.

Yea go with a 10 in a poted box! Do a fi q 10 or incriminator flatlyne 10? Idk what you what to do!

 

[crosjr 10+ year member]

So really nothing better than the 12" Fi Q sealed? So what suggestions for 10" besides Fi that can handle 1200 watts?

 

[grimreper912003 5,000+ posts]

90% install, 10% equipment

Contact TeamPSI about a sub

 

[Xprime4 10+ year member]

I had the same exact complain about the Fi Q... except mine was an 18incher.

it sound awesome... till 50hz then nothing over that. I tried with 28hz up to 35hz.... no luck

my tc-9 don't have that problem tho.... try removing the polyfill to see if it helps

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

So really nothing better than the 12" Fi Q sealed? So what suggestions for 10" besides Fi that can handle 1200 watts?

upper bass response mostly dictated by inducatance. For a relatively small box sub with low inducantance I'd try a AE AV12 http://www.aespeakers.com. They can play up to 2k on axis, due to their stupidly low inductance, lower than most high end midranges. Another good choice would be a exodus audio shiva. They also use faraday rings to keep inducantance low. Both will give good results in small boxes and should play as high as you need. I'd lean toward the AV12 as I think it will handle the power a bit better, and the extra effeciency will help slightly at 80hz. One thing to consider is you may simply have a node in your car where your getting cancellation in that region. Try moving your head, check the back seat, etc and see if the sub actually produces alot more upper midbass than you think, you simply dont' hear it setting where you are. If it's a cancellation issue changing subs wont' help. You may also find switching you sub out of phase with your mids might help too.