I'm putting together a complete system.

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

There are always diamonds in the rough. Going cheap isn't always a bad thing. That's held true for just about any hobby I've ever been a part of.

If that's what you think go for it. Many think that way until they get something better. I've seen it since I started this hobby.

Take a look at some amp dyno test on YouTube. See how the better amps make rated certified and the cheaper ones might make rated dynamic. That means the go into heavy clipping right past clean. The output sections can't take it.

Golden rule. $100 per 500 watts of real power is the minimum.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

If that's what you think go for it. Many think that way until they get something better. I've seen it since I started this hobby.
Take a look at some amp dyno test on YouTube. See how the better amps make rated certified and the cheaper ones might make rated dynamic. That means the go into heavy clipping right past clean. The output sections can't take it.

Golden rule. $100 per 500 watts of real power is the minimum.

Ok, so since the sub is 1200w rms... does that mean that I need 1200w or more? Or can I go with 1000w rms?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

You can use 100 if it's clean. RMS is measured by a sine wave over a set time. You don't listen to sine waves.

Will the sub do well? Depends on the driver and install.

Do you want your equipment maxed out all the time? No if money permits it.

 

[fly_marlin]

I own MB Quart RA2000.1 and here's my review of it. I ran it for a month and for $200, I absolutely loved it. On paper, it's supposed to do about the same power as the M2B, but I can tell it doesn't, though it's not far from it and costs 4x less. Keep in mind, I ran it at 1 ohm. There's a discus series 3000w amp on sonic for like $320. I strongly recommend getting sonic 3yr warranty, should be like $35. Also, sign up for sonic's newsletter and you get a 5% coupon, which will save you like $15 off that. Here's my review of RA2000.1:

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/amplifier-reviews/615956-mb-quart-ra2000-1-amp-review.html

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

What does it mean when an amp is not strappable?

 

[fly_marlin]

You can't connect 2 of those together to get double the power.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

What does it mean when an amp is not strappable?

You can connect two of the exact same amps and control them both with one amp. Gain and filters. You have a minimum of 2ohm since both amps are seeing 1ohm.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

You can't connect 2 of those together to get double the power.

Gotcha. THere aren't many amp dyno videos for many amps.

 

[fly_marlin]

You sure you don't just wanna get another HDS312 D4 and run clean 2.5k to it? No electrical?

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

You sure you don't just wanna get another HDS312 D4 and run clean 2.5k to it? No electrical?

We're talking about almost tripling the budget there. 1 sub is definitely enough. Especially now that I went from the 212 to the 312. I thought the 212 sounded pretty great, albeit struggling in the higher range of the bass frequency.

I don't know if that's the prefab box or what, but I don't even think I'll be using the complete potential of 1 312.

EDIT: Certain songs I listened to, had almost zero response from the sub. I played a few audioslave songs and it was like I didn't even have a sub. And then on other songs from KSE, the bass slammed and sounded great.

 

[fly_marlin]

Unfortunately, getting the D4 will cost you because getting 1000+ watts at 2 ohms isn't exactly cheap. You can do this amp:

JBL GTO-1001EZ Monoblock GTO Series Class D Car Amplifier

Also, you said you're making your own box, so look to build it bigger - this improves the efficiency of the sub. I'm guessing those songs you played had some low bass? For musicality, plan to tune the box between 30Hz and 35Hz.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

Unfortunately, getting the D4 will cost you because getting 1000+ watts at 2 ohms isn't exactly cheap. You can do this amp:
JBL GTO-1001EZ Monoblock GTO Series Class D Car Amplifier

Also, you said you're making your own box, so look to build it bigger - this improves the efficiency of the sub. I'm guessing those songs you played had some low bass? For musicality, plan to tune the box between 30Hz and 35Hz.

How big? The plans I have is for 2^3 @34hz...

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

I'd like to see what that amp dynos at, being that the GTO500 dynos at over 700@ 2 ohms certified.

 

[fly_marlin]

From what I've heard about JBL amps, you can expect it to do at least its rated power.

Here's the box guide from SQ:

Box Sizes and Tuning

Largest size for a 12 is 2.75 cu ft, it also gives you the port dimensions, though I don't know what tuning that translates to. Before you do anything, touch base with CSCStang and run your plans by him. He has a 10" HDC and it's in 2 cu ft, so I imagine you can do bigger than that for a 12".

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

I'm going to go with that JBL amp then.