Help me pick parts for a subwoofer

[Ckaz]

Hi there,

I'm going to be getting a subwoofer sometime soon and I'm looking for recommendations on which parts to buy, beyond just what the sonic electronics salesman tells me. I'm looking to get "the best for my money".

I drive a 2002 corolla, my budget is around $500 but is slightly flexible, and I'm wanting to focus on SQ over SPL (quality over quantity). Originally I was looking at a 12" in the 500-750w range, but I was told by the sonic guy that a more powerful 10" would sound significantly better in my car due to its size. Seems to make sense, but I thought I'd check it out with you guys. I'm a tad skeptical because though I want to focus mainly on SQ, I'd still like to get some power because its a novelty and its fun for when I'm in the mood.

In terms of woofers, I was looking at the Alpine Type-R first. Then I heard the JL W3v3 was better, and now I'm hearing that the RE Audio S*E*X*12" is better. These are 12"s cause it was what I was looking at before, but I think they all have equivalent 10" models anyways.

I know these are some of the more mainstream brands, but as I said I'm looking to get the best that my money can buy and I know that can sometimes be found in a smaller, cheaper brand name so I'm open to hearing any.

For amps I honestly have no idea. There seem to be tons with similar basic specs and I don't know enough about advanced specs to tell which one is better quality, or worth the extra money.

I was thinking I'd go with a ported box, on the assumption that they are better for SQ than sealed ones (correct me if I'm wrong). Also, would you recommend I buy a pre-fab box or is it really that worth it to buy parts and build your own. If so, around how much would the materials cost?

Thanks!

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[UnderFire 10+ year member]

Those subs don't really fall under the "SQ" category. The JL would sound decent, but check out the Dayton HF12, they have been very popular in SQ builds recently. And people who have used them, loved them.

Dayton Audio RSS315HF-4 12" Reference HF Subwoofer 4 Ohm High Fidelity Reference Series 295-464

It is definitely worth it to build your own box, pre-fabs will not allow the sub you choose to perform at it's peak. The materials would probably be ~60$ to buy depending on how much MDF sheets cost in your area.

 

[Ckaz]

Been doing some more research, seems like the SKAR VVX series and the Sundown SA series are the favorites for my price range. How does the Dayton Audio compare to those two? And again, for my car should I be looking at a 10" or a 12"?

Also, is it worth it to save a bit on the box in order to afford sound dampening material, or is it worth it to wait and make that upgrade later because it won't be necessary off the bat.

 

[UnderFire 10+ year member]

Been doing some more research, seems like the SKAR VVX series and the Sundown SA series are the favorites for my price range. How does the Dayton Audio compare to those two? And again, for my car should I be looking at a 10" or a 12"?
Also, is it worth it to save a bit on the box in order to afford sound dampening material, or is it worth it to wait and make that upgrade later because it won't be necessary off the bat.

The SA is tried and true, they have been proven to work time and time again. The Dayton will not be as loud as an SA, but it will sound better.

It all depends on what you want. If you want very clean reproduction of music, without a loud booming substage go with the Dayton.

If you want to get loud, go with the SA.

I won't go into detail on the Skar, I don't know much about them.

Deadening is not necessary right away, I would definitely not take away from the box to deaden.

10 or 12 is your choice, they both perform well in proper ported enclosures, it's all about how much space you are willing to give up. The Box for the 12 will be about 25-35% bigger than the 10.

 

[Ckaz]

Ok well I think I'm going to go with the Skar VVX, because I hear its a bit more musically oriented than the SA. Apparently the SA is more durable but the Skar hits lower lows. Its also cheaper.

I decided to not go with the Dayton, or any purely musical sub, because it seems a bit pointless for a car setting. Car acoustics plus the amount of rattling make it pretty hard to get true Hi-Fi. Might as well get something that still sounds great, but can also make heads turn if I so choose as that is half the fun!

I'm still not sure about the 10" or 12" though. I really don't mind giving up the space for the 12, but I don't want it to end up drowning out the speakers or rattling to the point that it no longer sounds good. Would the 10" be much more effective? or is still going to rattle and be loud regardless.

Also, recommendations for an amp? Thinking about going with the Skar 800.1D as its simple and would probably be a good pairing. Is that too much power for the sub (600W RMS)? And is there something else that's better and cheaper?

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

i lol'd

 

[Ckaz]

Play nice, I'm like brand brand new and still trying to figure a few things out (obviously). Thought that's what the forums were for!

Would you be so kind as to point out where I went wrong?

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Skar plays lower notes and you would want a sealed box. if you can afford 2 12's on a sealed box and amp audiopipe apsm 1500 you might just be a little over $500

Audiopipe APSM-1500 1500 Watt Mono Mini Amplifier : APSM1500 : VMInnovations.com

what ever amp you get make sure you look at rms and get an amp that will put out more than your sub, like for Skar VVX 600watts get at least 750 watts per sub

hope this helps

 

[Ckaz]

I know it varies for each sub and that there's a lot of disagreement to begin with in terms of ported or sealed, so could you explain why sealed is better for the Skar?

Two subs adds a whole list of other questions. My main ones are wouldn't 1500w be too much for the stock battery? Wouldn't two subs be overkill for a small car? Isn't one sub better than two for sq?

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

I know it varies for each sub and that there's a lot of disagreement to begin with in terms of ported or sealed, so could you explain why sealed is better for the Skar?
Two subs adds a whole list of other questions. My main ones are wouldn't 1500w be too much for the stock battery? Wouldn't two subs be overkill for a small car? Isn't one sub better than two for sq?

Sealed Vs Ported is a joke, plain and simple. Yes, you can make a Ported sub sound bad, due to the mechanics involved. Some subs are better suited for ported and vice versa. Done right, the SQ of ported can be better than sealed, IMO. The primary difference is efficiency. The common 4th order vented enclosure utilizes both forward and rearward movements of the woofer cone. This means that a good ported box will sound twice as loud as sealed on the same wattage...and sometimes more //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Do not buy junk. use the search function and type in Audiopipe or ASPM.

Sundown Audio SA10D2 600 watt Dual 2 Ohm Car Stereo Subwoofer

MB Quart ONX1.1000D - ONYX Class D Monoblock Car Amplifier/Amp

4 gauge amplifier installation kit

use the remaining $150 to build a good ported box. It is all in the box.

 

[Ckaz]

Edit: See below

 

[Ckaz]

Could someone give input on the 10" vs 12"? I'm still not sure which to go with.

Right now I'm looking at the Skar VVX (size to be determined) powered by a MB Quart ONX1.1500D (1000w @ 2 ohms). Ported enclosure will be built to Skar's recommended specs.

Still a bit unsure about what I need for wiring and terminals etc. Is this what I need? http://www.woofersetc.com/p-13-powerkit-2-american-accessories-8-gauge-amp-kit.aspx

 

[jungstah 10+ year member]

1000w needs more than 8 gauge wiring, grab yourself a 4 gauge cca amp kit from knuconceptz. they run about like $28. if you plan on upgrading in the future, you can go even bigger to avoid having to rewire in the future.

 

[Ronny 10+ year member]

Look at Quackhead's post again, he's got you covered.

 

[Dirtrider4eva 10+ year member]

ssa gcon. ssa dcon. get one of those. boom. done.