Dual 8"s? ...6 1/2" & an 8"?

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

Hey, I'm new here, I hope this hasn't already been disscussed, I looked around on the forum, and searched but never came up with a good answer.

I just got a Rockford Fosgate pre-loaded shallow enclosure with a 12" P3S. I do NOT like it, I'll be returning it. The bass is way to muddy.

What I want is very, very clean bass... I like acustic "style" bass, although I do listen to just about every genre of music (although not hard rock and not heavy rap). And also, I don't need to have heart thumping bass, most of the time I'll have the bass pretty low, I like it to fill out songs, but I don't like it to be over powering.

So I found the JL Audio 8w3v3-4 an 8" sub. I was thinking about getting 2 of these and making my own enclosure, (I've gotta have a specific sized shallow mount box) that way I could still have good bass, but with the better quality 8"s I figured that I'd be much cleaner. Thoughts??

As the thread tittle says I'm also wondering how it would work to use a JL 6w3v3-4 along with a, 8w3v3-4 in the same enclosure? or with a divider/baffle? so a 6 1/2" along with an 8", would I get cleaner bass from the smaller sub? and would the 2 work together? What about the difference in RMS? the 6 1/2" is 150 RMS, the 8" is 250 RMS, and I'd want to run them both off the sub channel on the MTX Jackhammer, it puts out 250 RMS at 4 ohms.

So in conclusion, I'm not really set on anything other then the fact that I'm returning my 12" RF p3s... and that I want super crisp clean bass. I don't need heavy bass, although I do like to be able to feel the bass(ocasionally). I'm not going to go with another 12" I don't need it nor want one. and I need a sub that's at least fairly low profile.

Thanks Guys and Gals.

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[ZO6killinsbf 10+ year member]

Image Dynamics ID8

 

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

So I did find out from reading around here a little more that it's never a good idea to mix 2 different sized subs, so please forgive me for asking... I tried to search before I posted, it seems like the search option doesn't work very well on my iPad.

Will dual 8"s (JL 8w3v3-4's) give a fully richer sound at low volume than a single 8"?

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

Critical Mass SS82's...a pair on about 1000rms will do the trick //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

I think ^^those two suggestions are awesome. But I honestly don't believe you're having a sub problem. I believe it's probably an enclosure problem. Have you thought about changing the type of enclosure you're using? If i was gonna put an enclosure in my truck, and didn't know my options, i would have gone with a crappy prefab enclosure for under the back seats. Well, I didn't go that way (I had a custom enclosure designed specifically for the sub and my musical tastes) and I am way better off for it. I think a lot of people here would be able to help you. LouisianaCRX is like the forum audio wh-re(has had every single piece of audio equipment known to man)if you pick up a speaker and it says"new", I can still guarantee you he's had it already, and knows the ins and outs of every single piece.

Can you hook us up with a little more information? Vehicle make and model, speaker placements and set-up details? That could help a whole lot.

Welcome to the forum too!!!

 

[bassjunky247]

the best 8'' i have herd is american bass xfl we put in the back of an escalade every one thot they where 12s or at least 10s, there clean sounding and for there price u cant beat them

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

the best 8'' i have herd is american bass xfl we put in the back of an escalade every one thot they where 12s or at least 10s, there clean sounding and for there price u cant beat them

If he is going for SQ those are not the subs he needs...

 

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

Thanks Joseph7195,

The sub that I got was preloaded, it was $200 for the sub and enclosure, I think that being a fairly cheap 12" it just doesn't have the tightness, or clearness that I really want.

I've got a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, they aren't known for their acoustics, although I did get the Boom Mat headliners for the hardtop, so that helps a little with the acoustics.

I just put Polk (DB 6501) Components in the front. I'm on a budget, I wish I could get nicer speakers all around, I'm very thankful to be able to have speakers so much better then stock anyway.

And I've got Polk DB coaxles for the Sound Bar.

And I'm running the speakers and (whatever sub(s) I end up with) a 5 channel MTX Jackhammer JH805.

Saturday Morning I placed an order with Sonic Electronics for 2, JL 8w3v3-4... I really am not going for "loud" bass, I just want something to fill in the music, I'd love to be able to have a totally awesome sound system, but that's not going to happen. I need to be happy with what I have=)

Oh, And I'm planning on just using the sub channel on my 5 channel MTX amp. it's rated at 250 RMS at 4 ohms. so obviously I won't be getting anything very powerful, Thanks BassJunky247, but from what I saw of the American Bass subs they're rated for a lot more power then I have. And, Louisiana_CRX, thanks as well, but I'm not going for tons of power and punch, just some tight clear bass to "fill in" the music. Don't get me wrong, I like to feel the beat, but just not very loudly... I know, I know -I shouldn't even be on this forum with an attitude like that=) Thanks guys.

**** A Big question that I have now is this: Will two 8" subs (JL 8w3v3-4) rated at 250 RMS at 4 ohms sound better run in parallel to my MTX Jackhammer JH805, it'll pump out 500 RMS 2 ohm to the sub channel... or will ONE 8" JL 8w3v3-4 (which would run 4 ohm) sound better from my Amp, it'll put out 250 RMS 4 ohm. OR, what about 2 8"s run separately (my amp has terminals for 2 subs) so they'll each get about 125 RMS at 4 ohms.

Please keep in mind that I'm not going for "Loud", I'm wanting the best quality bass at low to medium volumes.

Thank you so much for taking your time to answer me, to help me out -someone you've never met!

 

[jolly_26 10+ year member]

If it will safely do the required 500w rms at 2 ohms in parallel, go with that.

what about 2 8"s run separately (my amp has terminals for 2 subs) so they'll each get about 125 RMS at 4 ohms.

I may be wrong in this case, but a lot of amps with terminals for two subs only actually have one channel for the subs; the "two terminals" may actually be the same channel, it just offers a way of connecting the subs in parallel easily.

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

Your welcome! The JL's are good subs and for performance and clarity, they are a great value. They can do whatever you want them to do (except extreme SPL) so I wouldn't worry about them being too loud //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif If you are handy with tools, I would recommend building your own enclosure. It usually isn't very complicated and gives you the option of customizing it to your own tastes and needs. Prefab boxes are will not give you the sound you want, but you still don't have to build if you don't want to. There are plenty of qualified vendor builders on here that are VERY good and could build and it for your application and speaker response. My favorite is::

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/supporting-vendors-%2Anew%2A/525392-new-prices.html

And my other favorite::

DC Creations

I hope you have a great time with your new system and enjoy it fully. But don't forget to make a build log with plenty of pictures for us audio addicts. Everyone loves pictures!!!!!!!!

 

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

If it will safely do the required 500w rms at 2 ohms in parallel, go with that.


I may be wrong in this case, but a lot of amps with terminals for two subs only actually have one channel for the subs; the "two terminals" may actually be the same channel, it just offers a way of connecting the subs in parallel easily.

Oh Thanks, That makes sense that it'd still be running it in parallel, I'm new to this so I love learning.

Will I get better SQ running one 8" at 250 RMS 4 ohm, or two 8"s 500 RMS 2 ohm? My amp is rated to run either way. and I'll be listening at low - Medium volumes.

 

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

Your welcome! The JL's are good subs and for performance and clarity, they are a great value. They can do whatever you want them to do (except extreme SPL) so I wouldn't worry about them being too loud //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif If you are handy with tools, I would recommend building your own enclosure. It usually isn't very complicated and gives you the option of customizing it to your own tastes and needs. Prefab boxes are will not give you the sound you want, but you still don't have to build if you don't want to. There are plenty of qualified vendor builders on here that are VERY good and could build and it for your application and speaker response. My favorite is::
http://www.caraudio.com/forums/supporting-vendors-%2Anew%2A/525392-new-prices.html

And my other favorite::

DC Creations

I hope you have a great time with your new system and enjoy it fully. But don't forget to make a build log with plenty of pictures for us audio addicts. Everyone loves pictures!!!!!!!!

Thanks man!

I'll be looking into both links when I have a little more time, I'm thinking that I'll build my own box, I'm pretty handy with wood working. I like the one link that has the guy drawing blueprints, I very well might go with him.

Do you think my system would sound better with the two subs together in the same enclosure on the tailgate, or with them each in a smaller enclosure on either side of the luggage area? ...In my Wrangler they'll both be in the same open area, but having them on either side of the jeep would put them a few feet closer to the front of the jeep.

 

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

[quote=

I hope you have a great time with your new system and enjoy it fully. But don't forget to make a build log with plenty of pictures for us audio addicts. Everyone loves pictures!!!!!!!!

Where do I post the pictures, here, or on a devoted section of the forum?

 

[Davidhowe 10+ year member]

At low sound volumes would my system have better SQ IF: I hooked up 2 JL 8w3v3-4 in parallel to run them at 500 RMS 2 ohm.... Or only used one 8" at 250 RMS 4 ohm, in either case it would also use the max that my MTX Jackhammer JH805 outputs to the sub channel, so 500 RMS 2ohm or 250 RMS 4ohm?? I probably will never have duals turned up louder then the 1 8" running 250RMS 4ohm, actually I will normally not have it very "loud" at all.

Thanks for any advice. I do have 2, JL 8w3v3-4 on the way here, but I'm seriously thinking about returning one of them now that I know that normally 4 ohms gives better SQ.

 

[Joseph7195 10+ year member]

Your welcome! It's entirely up to you on how you want to run your subs or just one sub. I think when getting into the SQ side of audio, most people rely on the equipment to most of the work to sound good, but in actuallity, it's the installer who needs to do the extra work for the highest SQ potential to be reached. When it come to the subs being in the rear of the jeep, facing them together will probably cause a phase problem that will need to be addressed, maybe by installing them at an angle from each other. But i would just recommend them to be faced forward or towards the rear. Running the subs at full tilt at 2 ohms or 4 ohms is again up to you. If any noise is introduced into the system, it will be because of the installer(example, not running the power wires and rca's far enough apart or not grounding correctly) has not properly installed the devices. The amount of noise that will be added by running in 2 ohms instead of 4 ohms will be inaudible to you inside your Jeep. Not to say that it wouldn't be audible if you went all out and sound deadened every single panel and ran the stereo with the engine off, you will probably still not hear the added noise.

A couple more questions,

Have you upgraded your headunit, or are you using a line-out-converter?

What type of power wires and rca's have you chosen?

Are you gonna sound deaden, or do you think the extra weight my affect your off road performance?

Sorry it took so long to get back, but I am on the forum all day, but you popped back on a soon as my old a-ss when to sleep! Lol, I still can't believe i go to sleep at 7.