Decided to do a Sound Quality install, need opinions on subs.

[lowcel 10+ year member]

Using the JL Audio 12W3 as a basis for comparison how do the following subs compare assuming 500 watts RMS per sub and a sealed enclosure. I want it to be clear but I also want to be able to turn it up from time to time.

RE Audio SEX12v2

Dayton (insert model number here since I'm not real familiar with them)

PPI Power Class P.12

I'm open to other suggestions as well. I'm thinking about going with three 12's however if I go with the W3's my budget will have me doing two subs instead.

Click to read more...

 

[gckless 5,000+ posts]

I've got a pair of Dayton HO 15's for sale.

 

[lowcel 10+ year member]

I've got a pair of Dayton HO 15's for sale.

Thanks but I'm going with 12's or possibly 10's.

 

[porkcereal]

I've had good luck with idq 12s and the sundown sd3

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

the w3 is a great sounding woofer. they are severely overpriced for what you get though.

for example the image dynamics IDQ is 100 bucks less and its superior.

for the same price you can grab an IDQ which is about as much displacement as two w3s or about 35% more displacment than the w6 for 310$ less.. shame on you JL shame.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Just get a good sub you like and focus on tuning and install.

The sub in a SQ setup don't mean much, it only plays 2 octaves.

 

---------- Post added at 09:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

 

the w3 is a great sounding woofer. they are severely overpriced for what you get though.for example the image dynamics IDQ is 100 bucks less and its superior.

for the same price you can grab an IDQ which is about as much displacement as two w3s or about 35% more displacment than the w6 for 310$ less.. shame on you JL shame.

So powerbass>JL huh. Good luck with that.

 

[lowcel 10+ year member]

Just get a good sub you like and focus on tuning and install. The sub in a SQ setup don't mean much, it only plays 2 octaves.

 

---------- Post added at 09:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

 

So powerbass>JL huh. Good luck with that.

You have to keep in mind that I haven't heard a nice SQ system for almost fifteen years. I'm going into this blind.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

You have to keep in mind that I haven't heard a nice SQ system for almost fifteen years. I'm going into this blind.

It's simple.

Don't have a big peak in the responce. I wouldn't go sealed, ported can be worked more

Eliminate rattles that pull your ears back to the trunk.

Get a good bass to midbass blend, tuning and front stage here.

Bam sound quality bass.

 

[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

It's simple. Don't have a big peak in the responce. I wouldn't go sealed, ported can be worked more

Eliminate rattles that pull your ears back to the trunk.

Get a good bass to midbass blend, tuning and front stage here.

Bam sound quality bass.

I second ported as well if possible. Yeah, rattles kill SQ. Ideally you would at least have a decent crossover and time alignment behind ok equipment if you're really gunning for SQ, but if you're working on a tight budget it's not too difficult to get loud, clear bass. Take your pick of plenty of subs. If I was dropping that amount of money I would only pick JL out of your options...Below are some subs which may be worth looking at to open up some more potential options . I haven't put my hands on all of them, but I seriously doubt they disappoint.

Underhung subs:

Sundown SD3

Alpine Type S

Overhung subs:

Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection

Alpine Type R

Sundown SA

SSA Gcon or Dcon

Fi Car Audio Fiday 12 or Fi SSD

and tons of other options.......

 

[lowcel 10+ year member]

I second ported as well if possible. Yeah, rattles kill SQ. Ideally you would at least have a decent crossover and time alignment behind ok equipment if you're really gunning for SQ, but if you're working on a tight budget it's not too difficult to get loud, clear bass. Take your pick of plenty of subs. If I was dropping that amount of money I would only pick JL out of your options...Below are some subs which may be worth looking at to open up some more potential options . I haven't put my hands on all of them, but I seriously doubt they disappoint.
Underhung subs:

Sundown SD3

Alpine Type S

Overhung subs:

Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection

Alpine Type R

Sundown SA

SSA Gcon or Dcon

Fi Car Audio Fiday 12 or Fi SSD

and tons of other options.......

Thank you. I will be using a JBL MS-8 dsp.

 

[The_Quiet_One 10+ year member]

Just a caveat about ported. I would not buy a prefab ported. Unless your building the enclosure yourself or having someone else build it to spec ported will likely not be the way to go. Prefabs are generally too small and tuned too high. It would be easier to find a prefab sealed that will work ok with whichever subs you choose. Ideally you can have a box built to spec, but I know it's not always an option for some people.

 

[mastershake575 10+ year member]

Just get a good sub you like and focus on tuning and install. The sub in a SQ setup don't mean much, it only plays 2 octaves.

 

From my experience (with SQ demos) this is the truth.  

The subwoofer only played a very low range and the loudness was faded to were it blended with the volume of the front speakers. In a true SQ setup the tuning and install is the important part (wattage and number of subs is more of a concern for SPL, not SQ).

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

Just get a good sub you like and focus on tuning and install. The sub in a SQ setup don't mean much, it only plays 2 octaves.

 

---------- Post added at 09:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------

 

So powerbass>JL huh. Good luck with that.

what the **** are you talking about?

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

oh and BTW low frequency actually has the most IMD and mechanical based distortions even though it only plays 2 octaves..

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

oh and BTW low frequency actually has the most IMD and mechanical based distortions even though it only plays 2 octaves..

Not if the woofer is not reaching xmax. A decent woofer can mask over 10%THD.

And powerbass owns ID.