Help buying a sub. Diamond, RE, Element Design, Please clue me in!

[td5turbo 10+ year member]

So I am in the market to buy a sub. Like most, its somewhat a budget setup...a regular college student trying to keep cost down and all that good stuff.

I have a Subaru wagon and listen to pretty much all types of music. I would like the sub to hit harder and clearer than deep low tones so I am thinking a sealed box. I still want that lower sound when I am listening to rap which leads me to the setup of a 12" sub in a sealed box.

With that being said, I have been looking at RE Audio SE/SX, Diamond, Element Design, and some others.

I am not looking for something to shake my windows or anything, just a setup that will be loud when I want it too, but then sounds good, hit hard, and be super clear. I know the saying goes as no sub is good without a good amp, so what amps do you guys recommend for any particular sub you recommend.

So basically I am totally open to any suggestions on the best sounding sub that meets what I would like from it.

Thanks guys!

Click to read more...

 

[td5turbo 10+ year member]

Also, I will be making my own custom box as well. And will be buying just a generic wiring kit off ebay for like $10.

I was hoping to spend as little as possible...somewhere under $400 for the sub and amp.

Like $1750-200 for the sub and $100-150 for the amp, if that at all possible and still get good quality sound.

 

[revrider1 5,000+ posts]

I have some RE SE's for sale. they get loud and retain good Sound Quality...

 

[UCF52 10+ year member]

v---- Should sound great!

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-AUDIO-D612D4-1200W-12-SUBWOOFER-NEW-06-D6-HOT_W0QQitemZ140161782062QQihZ004QQcategoryZ18803QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-AUDIO-D3600-1-CLASS-D-AMP-AMPLIFIER-D3-600-1-NE_W0QQitemZ250170589362QQihZ015QQcategoryZ64570QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/KnuKonceptz-com-KLM-Complete-4-Gauge-Amp-Kit-Blue-Pearl_W0QQitemZ220154900446QQihZ012QQcategoryZ71528QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[td5turbo 10+ year member]

I am not trying to question you, but that amp seems way underpowered for that sub...

And I bet it will sound good but I have heard that he Diamonds are really good for ported boxes and tons of SPL and not so much quality clean sound.

Is that true? ****, so many choices!!!

 

[12voltz+- 10+ year member]

i would get the d3s loud subs and sound nice then get about a true 1000rms for them and build your own box , dont get a POS amp kit from ebay get a nicer one at least 4 gauge id go bigger but since your on a budget i guess

 

[UCF52 10+ year member]

600 watts is what is recommended by the manufacturer. If you search around you will find that the D6's can take 800-1000 watts of clean power. I was just posting up one option within your budget. The D6 is an SQL sub and will sound great in a sealed enclosure.

Like you said, there are many choices.

 

[UCF52 10+ year member]

i would get the d3s loud subs and sound nice then get about a true 1000rms for them and build your own box , dont get a POS amp kit from ebay get a nicer one at least 4 gauge id go bigger but since your on a budget i guess

My roommate has a pair of D3's in this box with about 600 (total) watts going to them and it slams!

 

[NJTStang11 10+ year member]

If your leaning towards Diamond I could sell you my 15" D9 for not much more than your gonna pay for a D6 or way less than a pair of D6s

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

600 watts is what is recommended by the manufacturer.

He would need the dual 2 ohm model though as that amp does 600rms at 1 ohm.

A single d6 would be a pretty decent option for the price.

 

[kmu 10+ year member]

i would get the d3s loud subs and sound nice then get about a true 1000rms for them and build your own box , dont get a POS amp kit from ebay get a nicer one at least 4 gauge id go bigger but since your on a budget i guess

You sure a D3 can take that much power?

 

[Kold_Killa 10+ year member]

http://www.cadencestore.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=380

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/07-RE-AUDIO-SE-12-SE12-12-SUBWOOFER-US-AMPS-NEW-SUB_W0QQitemZ200156285257QQihZ010QQcategoryZ18803QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(get dual 2 ohm and be easy on the gains)

That should be fun!! amp has 2 year warranty too!!

 

[td5turbo 10+ year member]

Sorry guys, I know i can search for this info but everything i read never makes any sense!

About the ohms...i know it has to do with resistance or something, but what does it really boil down to? I head, 4 ohms are really only useful when running multiple subs off one amp, or something like that.

If I had te option, for ONE single sub with one single mono class D amp, what would be best? Do 4 ohms produce a more controlled cleaner sound or anything?

Sorry for the speaker 101, just trying to learn what all you guys know!

Also, who in general makes quality amps? I am guessing Cadence are good? What about something more mainstream like Alpine or Kenwood or should I stick to the "non-BestBuy" brands and go with something like Element Design, Cadence, Diamond etc?

basically, if you wanted a sub that hits hard and clean, doesnt have to be rediculously loud but will also produce some nice low tones and last a long time, all for around $300, what would you go with?

 

[NJTStang11 10+ year member]

Sorry guys, I know i can search for this info but everything i read never makes any sense!
About the ohms...i know it has to do with resistance or something, but what does it really boil down to? I head, 4 ohms are really only useful when running multiple subs off one amp, or something like that.

If I had te option, for ONE single sub with one single mono class D amp, what would be best? Do 4 ohms produce a more controlled cleaner sound or anything?

Sorry for the speaker 101, just trying to learn what all you guys know!

Also, who in general makes quality amps? I am guessing Cadence are good? What about something more mainstream like Alpine or Kenwood or should I stick to the "non-BestBuy" brands and go with something like Element Design, Cadence, Diamond etc?

basically, if you wanted a sub that hits hard and clean, doesnt have to be rediculously loud but will also produce some nice low tones and last a long time, all for around $300, what would you go with?

$300 for sub or sub/amp combo?

 

[td5turbo 10+ year member]

around that...meaning like $120-150 sub and $150-170 amp?