Boston Acoustics SPG555-2 or JL Sealed Powerwedge

[BlackHawk99 10+ year member]

I am considering getting one single Boston Acoustics SPG555-2 and putting it in a sealed enclosure or getting a JL Audio premade sealed Powerwedge. You can get the JL with (2) 10's or (2) 12's. The JL would have (2) W3v3 subs in it. Both the Boston and the JL can handle 1,000 watts RMS @ 2 ohm. I am wondering which do you think would provide more SQ? The Boston is a deviation from their norm and it's more for SPL? The JL is more for SQ? I am looking to get nice tight, punchy, controlled bass, but with some authority. The sub amp would be the Rockford Power T1000. 700 watts @ 4 ohm or 1,000 watts @ 2 ohm. Input appreciated. Thank you very much.

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[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

of those 2, I'd go SPG.

Whats your budget though? Maybe you can build your own box or have someone build you one instead of a prefab.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

The JL Powerwedge setup has the upper hand. It's vented, it's got more cone surface area, and the W3s are said to sound quite nice and get decently loud.

 

[BlackHawk99 10+ year member]

of those 2, I'd go SPG.
Whats your budget though? Maybe you can build your own box or have someone build you one instead of a prefab.

Thanks! Yes a box could be built. I was looking at cost and if I went JL in the prefab box it only adds $112.00 to the cost vs raw drivers and building my own. Can you tell me a little more why you would go with the Boston over the JL? The Boston is attracting me because it only needs 1 cubic ft. of internal volume, handles plenty of power on paper, and the price is very good right now. My main is concern though is how it will sound. Will I like the sound of it? Their manual says a box with these dimensions should be made if going sealed ...

Height: 10.5"

Width: 13"

Length: 13"

Gross Volume: 1.0 ft.

 

[BlackHawk99 10+ year member]

The JL Powerwedge setup has the upper hand. It's vented, it's got more cone surface area, and the W3s are said to sound quite nice and get decently loud.

The two Powerwedge models I'm considering are both sealed enclosures...

1. JL Audio CS212RG-W3v3-2

2. JL Audio CS210RG-W3v3-2

One has 12's and the other 10's. Both handle 1,000 watts RMS.

From what I see the Powedge ported enclosures are single driver models only.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Thanks! Yes a box could be built. I was looking at cost and if I went JL in the prefab box it only adds $112.00 to the cost vs raw drivers and building my own. Can you tell me a little more why you would go with the Boston over the JL? The Boston is attracting me because it only needs 1 cubic ft. of internal volume, handles plenty of power on paper, and the price is very good right now. My main is concern though is how it will sound. Will I like the sound of it? Their manual says a box with these dimensions should be made if going sealed ...
Height: 10.5"

Width: 13"

Length: 13"

Gross Volume: 1.0 ft.

I'm a little biased as I am very curious about the SPG sub since I've already had or installed a lot of JL subs so its probably my curiosity getting the best of me. Something to consider about the SPG is the fact that u can change the coils in a snap in the field in case you blow it..pretty nice technology for sure. I also like the "uniqueness" of the oval shape and I dont think BA makes a sub that doesn't sound good for its price. Pretty much everything they make is moreso geared towards SQ. The SPG just happens to get loud too.

The w3s are nice subs as well though. Same as BA, JL doesnt make subs geared towards SPL exclusively but they can get pretty loud when implemented correctly. I can't say they'd be a bad choice.

 

[BlackHawk99 10+ year member]

I'm a little biased as I am very curious about the SPG sub since I've already had or installed a lot of JL subs so its probably my curiosity getting the best of me. Something to consider about the SPG is the fact that u can change the coils in a snap in the field in case you blow it..pretty nice technology for sure. I also like the "uniqueness" of the oval shape and I dont think BA makes a sub that doesn't sound good for its price. Pretty much everything they make is moreso geared towards SQ. The SPG just happens to get loud too.
The w3s are nice subs as well though. Same as BA, JL doesnt make subs geared towards SPL exclusively but they can get pretty loud when implemented correctly. I can't say they'd be a bad choice.

LOL! I know what you mean... the SPG does have me curious and for the reasons I mentioned earlier in the thread I am attracted to it... on paper at least. In the sack she may not be what I was hoping. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Wish I could get both, try them out, and send back the one I don't like. I did see that the coils can be changed and it is easy. So easy even I could do it. LOL! I also read some saying there's a reason for that... they have reliability issues? Also for whatever reason... some reading, some just what I am imagining, I keep thinking it will be mainly for SPL. But as you said Boston does make things more for SQ and this has the added benefit of getting loud.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

LOL! I know what you mean... the SPG does have me curious and for the reasons I mentioned earlier in the thread I am attracted to it... on paper at least. In the sack she may not be what I was hoping. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Wish I could get both, try them out, and send back the one I don't like. I did see that the coils can be changed and it is easy. So easy even I could do it. LOL! I also read some saying there's a reason for that... they have reliability issues? Also for whatever reason... some reading, some just what I am imagining, I keep thinking it will be mainly for SPL. But as you said Boston does make things more for SQ and this has the added benefit of getting loud.

Why do u think she may not have that you're hoping for?

I heard one once, and I'm a pretty picky guy, and it sounded darn good to me. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the cash for it. I haven't read any reliability issues with them but I'll do some research. I gotta say I can't see BA releasing a product they know isn't reliable and instead of fixing it, putting removable coils...just doesn't make sense to me. BA is better than that.

One thing to consider though is that BA is going out of business, in the car audio game, anyway. If that bothers, you then look into the JLs or other options.

 

[BlackHawk99 10+ year member]

Why do u think she may not have that you're hoping for?
I heard one once, and I'm a pretty picky guy, and it sounded darn good to me. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I had the cash for it. I haven't read any reliability issues with them but I'll do some research. I gotta say I can't see BA releasing a product they know isn't reliable and instead of fixing it, putting removable coils...just doesn't make sense to me. BA is better than that.

One thing to consider though is that BA is going out of business, in the car audio game, anyway. If that bothers, you then look into the JLs or other options.

I'm more worried the Boston could be a mistake purchase and not be the sound I am looking for. I have it in my head that it may be more suited for SPL. That and the odd shape makes me think of SPL... Kicker perhaps had something like this at one time? I was thinking the two JL 10's or 12's sealed may be more to my liking... tighter, punchier bass with more authority, less sloppy perhaps than the Boston? You however lead me to believe it's the best of both worlds which is great. In fact my impression is it's one of the best subs on the market bar none? Them going out of business isn't a huge factor to me. I say that because... I hope what I read is true and they will cover all items to the end of their warranty period.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I'm more worried the Boston could be a mistake purchase and not be the sound I am looking for. I have it in my head that it may be more suited for SPL. That and the odd shape makes me think of SPL... Kicker perhaps had something like this at one time? I was thinking the two JL 10's or 12's sealed may be more to my liking... tighter, punchier bass with more authority, less sloppy perhaps than the Boston? You however lead me to believe it's the best of both worlds which is great. In fact my impression is it's one of the best subs on the market bar none? Them going out of business isn't a huge factor to me. I say that because... I hope what I read is true and they will cover all items to the end of their warranty period.

The shape won't make it sound sloppy. Also, the square coned Kickers have been used in WINNING SQ vehicles. That shows u that if you set a decent sub up correctly it can sound good regardless of its following online. I was a strong believer in sealed over ported for SQ for a while, and it still holds true in some cases. But, from what it seems that you want. I'd get a nice ported box designed around your car's acoustics and go for it....either the w3s or SPG will work

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

I have the SPG and the matching PR. It gets down and sounds amazing in 1cf. I had it on 900w of A/B and if I wasn't such a bass addict, I don't think I'd ever buy another sub.

The only reason I am selling it is because I have to have more output. I'm not trying to sell you mine, but I will make you a sweet deal if you want it. It's barely broken in. I went from it to an IDMax on 1k, but now the SPL subs are going in on some real power. I have a bass problem. Lol. I thought I wanted to be all SQ.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I have the SPG and the matching PR. It gets down and sounds amazing in 1cf. I had it on 900w of A/B and if I wasn't such a bass addict, I don't think I'd ever buy another sub.
The only reason I am selling it is because I have to have more output. I'm not trying to sell you mine, but I will make you a sweet deal though if you want it. It's barely broken in. I went fron it to an IDMax on 1k, but now the SPL subs are going in on some real power. I have a bas problem. Lol. I thought I wanted to be all SQ.

Same thing with me lol

 

[BlackHawk99 10+ year member]

I spoke to a long time Boston Acoustics dealer yesterday. They have all of their stuff 40% off. He said I can go with whatever I want, but they have not had good luck with Boston over the years. I asked him what he meant by that... did they have reliability issues or what? He said no not really it was more of a case that people didn't care for their amps or subs. He said they do make nice components though. He said the people that would buy their subs usually ended up coming back and exchanged them for Alpine or Rockford subs. They didn't like the sound of the Boston subs. Another said the younger crowd didn't know who Boston was. They related more to other brands. He felt they had a great product, but maybe a little too expensive. The dealer still had G5's in stock.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I spoke to a long time Boston Acoustics dealer yesterday. They have all of their stuff 40% off. He said I can go with whatever I want, but they have not had good luck with Boston over the years. I asked him what he meant by that... did they have reliability issues or what? He said no not really it was more of a case that people didn't care for their amps or subs. He said they do make nice components though. He said the people that would buy their subs usually ended up coming back and exchanged them for Alpine or Rockford subs. They didn't like the sound of the Boston subs. Another said the younger crowd didn't know who Boston was. They related more to other brands. He felt they had a great product, but maybe a little too expensive. The dealer still had G5's in stock.

I could see that. Its hard to sell Boston stuff around here too. But, if I list an Alpine Type R or L7 up around here I get all types of interest. Not saying those subs are bad choices or anything; but I'd go BA over them personally. I have had nothing but good experiences with the Boston GT amps old and new. Friend of mine has the GTA and says "it lacks detail". I haven't extensively listened to a GTA, so I cant comment. But, for what the GTs ran for, I'd rather spend the little extra and get the GT over the GTA.

I can't help but think, though, if they didn't like the sound of the Bostons, chances are they didn't like the JLs either. You should have asked what "type of bass" these consumers were looking for. My guess is they just wanted it to sound loud and didn't really care how clean it sounded. As far as the age thing, I'm 18, and I'm a big Boston fan. Oh and FWIW, I'd love to get my hands on a couple G5's.

Was there any way he could let u listen to some subs before you buy? Maybe that'll help make your mind up, because in the end it is your money and your ears that have to deal with your decision.

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

The spgg555 I had one for a few weeks and if you ever blow it its a 10min repair. Was loud looked good and sounded great.