JL or Arc Audio or other 10" Sub?

[sarge_in 10+ year member]

Just put in the front speakers (Focal 165KR) along with an Arc Audio KS300.4 amp, and now looking to add a sub as well. Dont have too much space as the Honda Odyssey seats fold down to the cargo well, so can't use that space. Therefore thinking of going with 1 10" sub. Not looking for SPL, but clean tight punch and SQ. Was recommended

- JL Audio 10W3V3-4, or

- Arc Audio ARC10D4

What do you all think about these, and which one would you recommend? I am not stuck on these brands, so if there's another brand in the 120 - 200 range that would be fine too.

Also, I would prefer to stay with just the 1 amp I have for space saving than for anything else. I am getting the Polk MM651 coax's for rear - can these be driven off of the HU easily, thus freeing up 2 channels on the amp for the sub; or do you recommend another amp?

Thanks!

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[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

idq v3?

 

[sarge_in 10+ year member]

How does it compare with the JL Audio and Arc Audio? Some more info please?!

Anyone who has heard some or more of these and can provide more info?

Thanks!

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Sounds better than w3's in most cases even dating back to old w3v1 vs idq v1 imo. they just sound more detailed

 

[cstac 10+ year member]

What wattage are you looking to push to the sub?

 

[sarge_in 10+ year member]

I see...thanks for the input. More research on the IDQs also show they are very well-regarded for their SQ. Though it seems a little more than what I was hoping to spend. How different are the v2's? The v3's are $240 vs $160 for the v2 - is it worth the upgrade if I am not into thumping bass? Would the v2's be still better than the subs I listed in 1st post?

I still need to decide if I want a separate amp for the sub, or drive it off a bridged channel from my Arc Audio KS300.4. It is currently driving the Focal 165KR comp fronts and Polk Audio MM651 rear (coax's). Here are my options:

1) If I go for a separate, I may get KS300.2 and bridge it to get upto 700 watts. Or other decent cheaper amp suggestion? I think I will be happy with around 350-400 watts (the 300.4 is 4*90 = 360 watts).

2) Use existing amp for fronts and the sub. Use HU to drive the rears. The amp says 2*350 at 4ohms bridged. What does that translate into for the sub and speakers? (Can you make out I am a newb here)

3) Use existing amp to drive all speakers n subs - the 4 speakers from 2 channels, and the sub from the bridged channel.

What do you recommend? I would also like to keep the fader controls if I can - does that limit my setup options?

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

if you are not into thumping bass a V2 is fine...they still get loud enough to hear plenty easy LOL. V1 and V2's have won multiple world finals in sq. Last Idq's I owned were V1

 

[sarge_in 10+ year member]

Thanks!

Any recommendations for the amp setup choices I listed above?

 

[sarge_in 10+ year member]

The dealer I am getting from can get me the Arc Audio 10" sub for ~$60 less than the IDQ10 v3. He mentioned that they both are built very similar and sound almost the same. Can anyone confirm this, and if its true will I be doing OK to save the difference and go with Arc Audio, or is the IDQ a decent step-up for SQ?

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

it wouldn't shock me.

 

[sarge_in 10+ year member]

Not sure what you mean - wouldn't shock you they are similar, or that IDQ is a decent step-up?