Did a 146...how can I improve numbers?

[scottyk 10+ year member]

So I've got a 2 AQ HDC3 12's and 2 AQ 2200D's in a Pontiac Vibe (Wimpy car, I know). Electrical wise I have stock alternator (for now) and a optima red top in back plus a stock battery up front. Amps are strapped, running at 2 ohms, my box is ported, 4 cubic feet total.

In short, I went and got everything metered. Now the subs are still breaking in, but giving them literally all the juice I got put me at a 146. I have a bit of dynamat around the hatch area, just ordered a ton more today that I plan to do the whole roof with and the actual hatch door. I'm wondering how I can get higher number...ideally I'd like to do a 150 or very close to it, but since this is my first "big system", I'm new to techniques to upping numbers.

Will upping my alternator and throwing another battery in back have a significant effect on numbers? Or just prevent voltage drops and such?

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[Digital Designs 10+ year member]

So I've got a 2 AQ HDC3 12's and 2 AQ 2200D's in a Pontiac Vibe (Wimpy car, I know). Electrical wise I have stock alternator (for now) and a optima red top in back plus a stock battery up front. Amps are strapped, running at 2 ohms, my box is ported, 4 cubic feet total.
In short, I went and got everything metered. Now the subs are still breaking in, but giving them literally all the juice I got put me at a 146. I have a bit of dynamat around the hatch area, just ordered a ton more today that I plan to do the whole roof with and the actual hatch door. I'm wondering how I can get higher number...ideally I'd like to do a 150 or very close to it, but since this is my first "big system", I'm new to techniques to upping numbers.

Will upping my alternator and throwing another battery in back have a significant effect on numbers? Or just prevent voltage drops and such?

Bigger box would probably be one of the cheaper options, but you should work on your electrical too.

 

[shakinghorizons]

2 2200's i would reccomend a Good Big Battery to keep your voltage up. Do the BIG 3 also. Try scooting your box around keep your port as far as you can to the back if its a hatch. . . A HO alternater would help a little also

 

[shakinghorizons]

X2 on a bigger box, make sure you have plenty of port also

 

[scottyk 10+ year member]

2 2200's i would reccomend a Good Big Battery to keep your voltage up. Do the BIG 3 also. Try scooting your box around keep your port as far as you can to the back if its a hatch. . . A HO alternater would help a little also

Box wise I'm pretty much stuck, the current one takes up just about the whole hatch are without me taking out my back seats.

 

[shakinghorizons]

Check your voltage drop on a bass note, Below 12, NO BUENO. Running stock lol i bet your dippin to mid tens on 4 kw

 

[cj407]

if you know what your voltage is dropping to...yes voltage dips can decrease power coming from the amp. or in ur case amps. 2 2200's do 4400 at 14.4v...but if you are dipping into the 11-12 range..you might be getting 3k maybe. so yes boosting the electrical in your car and solving the voltage dips can increase your number. also finding the right track for your box tune.

 

[scottyk 10+ year member]

Check your voltage drop on a bass note, Below 12, NO BUENO. Running stock lol i bet your dippin to mid tens on 4 kw

So basically another battery and HO alt would be a good decision? will that affect the loudness at all? Or just so drops aren't happening

 

[shakinghorizons]

More batteries, more bass, for exteded amount of time, but you have to have the alternator to back them up also. Unless you only play for a few mins at a time stop for 10 and repeat the process. Didn't think so. Add 2 batts, An HO alt, Big 3, i bet you be round a 148, gain 2 dbs. Its a task to break 150 for the first time.

 

[15nissen 10+ year member]

A bigger box may not be your issue. A loud box has many details that are overlooked. 90's, resin, AEROPORTS

 

[scottyk 10+ year member]

More batteries, more bass, for exteded amount of time, but you have to have the alternator to back them up also. Unless you only play for a few mins at a time stop for 10 and repeat the process. Didn't think so. Add 2 batts, An HO alt, Big 3, i bet you be round a 148, gain 2 dbs. Its a task to break 150 for the first time.

Ahhh, I get ya now, makes a lot more sense.

Ok, so that aside, what about clipped signal...right now I cant go any higher then the 146 level and even then I was getting a clipped signal...I could never crank my bass boost knob cause it would always flash that iw as clipping...if I up my electrical I could turn it up more without sending a clipped signal yes?

 

[shakinghorizons]

Ahhh, I get ya now, makes a lot more sense. Ok, so that aside, what about clipped signal...right now I cant go any higher then the 146 level and even then I was getting a clipped signal...I could never crank my bass boost knob cause it would always flash that iw as clipping...if I up my electrical I could turn it up more without sending a clipped signal yes?

SI

 

[scottyk 10+ year member]

SI

Awesome, that clears up a ton, now I gotta start the saving process hah

 

[-Leister- 10+ year member]

First work on your eletrical out of everything. Most important.

 

[shakinghorizons]

Awesome, that clears up a ton, now I gotta start the saving process hah

And thats the most difficult process of them all //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif