Factory head unit question

[Fuzion64]

Factory radio vs Pioneer MVH-X380BT

Setup:

1x Kenwood 9106D 2400w amp peak power on 2ohm's (Actual was 900w when tested and measured at the shop)

2x 12" Kicker Comp VT's in a sealed box wired in parallel at 2 ohm's.

Factory radio/Factory speakers

for 900w the bass doesn't seem like much at all, but then again my radio is factory.

The installer showed me his car using the same exact amp and a single Rockford fosgate T1D2 2 ohm sub in a vented box. The thing slammed so hard you could feel it in your chest.

Since my factory radio only has a volume from 1-38 is it not reaching its full potential by limitation of the head unit itself. Will I get more power and punch by installing a x380, excelon 998, or x6800bt? It seems like 2 12" subs should hit harder than 1 12" sub given the fact it is the same exact amp in both setups with more air being pushed by 2 12" vs 1 12". The guy had a kenwood excelon double din radio installed in his car. I was amazed at what 1 12" sub setup done right could do.

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Factory radio vs Pioneer MVH-X380BT
Setup:

1x Kenwood 9106D 2400w amp peak power on 2ohm's (Actual was 900w when tested and measured at the shop)

2x 12" Kicker Comp VT's in a sealed box wired in parallel at 2 ohm's.

Factory radio/Factory speakers

for 900w the bass doesn't seem like much at all, but then again my radio is factory.

The installer showed me his car using the same exact amp and a single Rockford fosgate T1D2 2 ohm sub in a vented box. The thing slammed so hard you could feel it in your chest.

Since my factory radio only has a volume from 1-38 is it not reaching its full potential by limitation of the head unit itself. Will I get more power and punch by installing a x380, excelon 998, or x6800bt? It seems like 2 12" subs should hit harder than 1 12" sub given the fact it is the same exact amp in both setups with more air being pushed by 2 12" vs 1 12". The guy had a kenwood excelon double din radio installed in his car. I was amazed at what 1 12" sub setup done right could do.

your stock head unit puts out a very weak signal, less than 1 volt preout Upgrading the head unit to a 4 volt preout or higher will result in a stronger signal which can definitely improve output and overall sound quality vs the stock head unit due to your amp actually getting the signal it needs to produce the power its capable of producing. A properly designed ported box is always the core of a good bass setup.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Actually they can put out around 3v

This is the issue

Factory radios have bass roll off to protect the factory speaker, higher the volume goes the less bass you will have

This must be overriden

He is ported with a bigger woofer. That's also a big advantage.

 

[Fuzion64]

Thank you so much, I never knew the headunit played such a big part with supplying a amplifiers power output. Almost everyone I have spoken to just said you just upgrade it for clarity for your mids and highs. Not a single person said it maximized bass output due to the power increase.

I do have another question though, because I am looking to maximize my setup with what I have.

I listen to all types of music, but mostly rap, r&b, and hip-hop with some pop and rock mixed in.

Here are the kicker comp vt specs 12" Sub specs

MIN SEALED BOX VOL [cu. ft, L]:1, 28.3

MAX SEALED BOX VOL [cu. ft, L]:

4.6, 130

MIN VENTED BOX VOL [cu. ft, L]:

1.75, 49.6

MAX VENTED BOX VOL [cu. ft, L]:

2.25, 63.7

Should I search for a 1.75 vented box or a 2.25 cuft vented box. Its a quad cab dodge ram truck so I could fit either size box fine. Which would give me the best bass response 1.75, 2.00, or 2.25?

I don't think my current box was meant for these subs

Mounting Depth: 7"

Air Space: 0.60 Cubic Feet per Sub

I'm not sure how much of a difference putting these subs in 1.00 sealed box or a 1.75 vented box would make, but if I need a new box for these to hit properly please suggest the box you would recommend.

Also please note that kicker does not recommend a specific port tuning frequency at all in any of their specs or manuals, so without that I am unsure of the right box I should be searching for. What hz tuning frequency do you recommend?

Here is pictures of my current box as of now.

 

[Beentown]

Those boxes are WAY too small for your subs. I had two JBL 10's in a similar box and was completely underwhelmed. I ended up glassing one and buying this for another one of my Dodges.

http://www.foxacoustics.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DQC%2D212%2DV

Mine is the 10" version. The FoxBox comes in different configurations. These boxes will perform MUCH better than what you have currently. The installer should have know that wasn't going to work.

Truthfully, I would switch the subs and box if it is a possibility. A FoxBox with Sundowns, hell even Type R's would rock with a true 900 watts to them.

This is all pending the frequency getting to the amps for the HU.

 

[Fuzion64]

Thank you, I ordered a Kenwood Excelon x998 for $177 shipped

I was going to go with a x6800BT or x380bt, but for the price the kendwood had more EQ bands and 6 channel outputs for future equipment. The x380 and x6800 only had 2 channels for almost as much as the kenwood top end reciever.

The kenwood has 6 channels out, 4v, sub pre-outs. bt, iphone compatible, hd radio, and alot more features than the pioneer.