I'm putting together a complete system.

[fly_marlin]

When does the big 3 upgrade become necessary?? Could a voltage drop be the reason that the amp went?

Big 3 is highly recommended, but with that power, I doubt that was the issue. You should upgrade while you wait for the new amp though.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

Do i just buy 10ft of 0awg cable and replace the 3 cables with it? Or is there more to it?

 

[fly_marlin]

Buy a little more just in case. Also, get 6 0awg ring terminals. You don't have to replace the existing wire, just add on to it.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

For a custom box from guys like cstang or mylow10, do they make boxes with the crazy insides, or is it a basic generic 2cu ft box?

 

[fly_marlin]

For a custom box from guys like cstang or mylow10, do they make boxes with the crazy insides, or is it a basic generic 2cu ft box?

Sorry, what?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

For a custom box from guys like cstang or mylow10, do they make boxes with the crazy insides, or is it a basic generic 2cu ft box?

Full custom, the works man. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cscstang-customs/544782418996602?sk=photos_stream

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

Sorry, what?

Jeffdachef kindly provided me with plans to make my own sub box, but the plans do not look anything like the sub boxes I see online. Like this for example:

Looks like a maze with windows lol.

 

---------- Post added at 09:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------

 

Full custom, the works man. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cscstang-customs/544782418996602?sk=photos_stream

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

Also, what's the difference between building my own box, vs buying something like this:

Amazon.com : Atrend 12LSV 12-Inch Single Vented SPL Subwoofer Enclosure : Vehicle Subwoofer Boxes : Car Electronics

Seems like the plans I have looks exactly like this box. Everyone says stay away from prefabs, but why?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Also, what's the difference between building my own box, vs buying something like this: Amazon.com : Atrend 12LSV 12-Inch Single Vented SPL Subwoofer Enclosure : Vehicle Subwoofer Boxes : Car Electronics

Seems like the plans I have looks exactly like this box. Everyone says stay away from prefabs, but why?

Cheap chinese crap, improperly tuned, no bracing, single baffle, good luck having it last for more than a few months. When i was young I got ported boxes like that and they all crapped out on me sooner or later. Its your money, your loss if you decide to cheap out on the most important part of the bass system.

Jeffdachef kindly provided me with plans to make my own sub box, but the plans do not look anything like the sub boxes I see online. Like this for example:

Looks like a maze with windows lol.

 

---------- Post added at 09:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------

 

Thanks, I appreciate it.

that one is either braced to look fancy or its for a very strong sub that can blow apart anything less as in a 1000$+ subwoofer. Its just a regular ported box. No maze thing to make special or anything of that nature.

What makes a ported box work well is how much airspace it provides to your subwoofers along with proper sq inches of port area and proper port length to get the tuning you want.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Port and subwoofer loading location is important too. There are many factors in getting a box right. Its not as simple as just putting stuff together and hope it works. You need to design the box based on the electromechanical parameters of the subwoofer (aka thiele small parameters) and actually graph out the frequency response along with measuring SPL output capabilities AND make sure there is no port noise or compression.

The main reason why custom boxes are soo expensive is not really because of the labor, Its the Shipping. Shipping halfway across the nation with a big giant box along with shipping materials needed for the box to arrive safely already eats up half the cost. Still, go around to local audio shops and get quotes for a ported box. Generally they will charge you 300-600 dollars for a simple plain ported box that any kid in his garage can make. If you really want to save money, Build your own. IF you want fancy looking box and have the wood working skills for it I'll give you those designs.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I disconnected and then reconnected everything, checked fuses, connections, everything. Since the amp reset, all of the settings are now default. 25hz/200hz 40db I'll take some pics tomorrow. Amp is also mounted onto the vehicle so it's not like it's loose and banging around in the trunk.

Also, what does clipping it to death mean?

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

Port and subwoofer loading location is important too. There are many factors in getting a box right. Its not as simple as just putting stuff together and hope it works. You need to design the box based on the electromechanical parameters of the subwoofer (aka thiele small parameters) and actually graph out the frequency response along with measuring SPL output capabilities AND make sure there is no port noise or compression.
The main reason why custom boxes are soo expensive is not really because of the labor, Its the Shipping. Shipping halfway across the nation with a big giant box along with shipping materials needed for the box to arrive safely already eats up half the cost. Still, go around to local audio shops and get quotes for a ported box. Generally they will charge you 300-600 dollars for a simple plain ported box that any kid in his garage can make. If you really want to save money, Build your own. IF you want fancy looking box and have the wood working skills for it I'll give you those designs.

I'm definitely sold on building my own box. 2 weekends from now I'll be doing so.

 

[fly_marlin]

I'm definitely sold on building my own box. 2 weekends from now I'll be doing so.

This is what the forum is all about. Glad you're learning and glad there are people coming forward to help. Thanks, Jeff.

 

[ArmyNavyCopGuy]

I'm very appreciative of all the help I get here.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I understand clipping, but I don't understand what blew the amp. Even if gain was set at maximum, wouldn't it be something that would last more than an hour of playback? 

---------- Post added at 07:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:19 PM ----------

 

I'm very appreciative of all the help I get here.

That amp more than likely had an issue with it from the start..They prob just boxed it back up and sold it without mentioning anything about it as you showed the sale ad in order to make a sale.