Looking for a Musical Subwoofer

[billybrown66 10+ year member]

I currently have a 12" AA Avalanche and it has good output and good low-end extension, yet it doesn't reproduce higher frequencies in the sub range very well. As a result, it doesn't really seem to blend in well with my two-way component set, so I'm thinking about getting a new sub. It has to fit the following criteria:

-12"

-Handle 1000 watts

-Works well in a small sealed enclosure, .95 ft^3 or so

-Reproduces frequencies over entire sub range, from lower to higher frequencies

-Output isn't a HUGE concern, looking for a good blend of sound quality and SPL (I ordered a 600 watt amp, but they sent me the 1000 watt version, so I need something that can handle the power //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif)

-Budget, no more than 350

I looked at some threads here, saw the FI SSD, Alpine Type R fit might work, unfortunately my enclosure is a bit small for a IDMAX. I am really intrigued by the SSA Icon, which is supposed do well in a small enclosure. However, I haven't read much about the 12" version, only the 15". Again, needs to be a 12", handles a lot of power, fits in a small 1.0 ft^3 enclosure, and preferably hits higher frequencies.

Thank you.

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[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Why don't you just invest in better midbass? That seems to be the problem...

 

[billybrown66 10+ year member]

Why don't you just invest in better midbass? That seems to be the problem...

Well, the higher frequencies in the midbass range are pretty good actually, but I am not really interested in installing a dedicated midbass driver, or running a 3-way... seems like a headache. I just don't like overextending the 6.5' mids to accommodate the lack of top-end of my subwoofer.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

What frequency range are we talking here? 50-80 or 80+?

I have a subwoofer that is pretty dang non-musical, but my midbasses really pick up where it lacks. I thought that the avalanche was supposed to be a pretty good sounding moofer.

I'd recommend looking into maybe a Fi Q or a Soundsplinter RL-P.

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

sound quality has alot more to do with the install than the equipment. 75% install, 10% equipment, 15% your ear for what sounds good.

 

[billybrown66 10+ year member]

sound quality has alot more to do with the install than the equipment. 75% install, 10% equipment, 15% your ear for what sounds good.

I completely agree, but a subwoofer install should be relatively "easy", especially when putting it in a sealed box. Get 3/4" MDF, make the box, make sure it is sealed very well, put the subwoofer in, point it toward the trunk, connect it to the amp.

 

[billybrown66 10+ year member]

What frequency range are we talking here? 50-80 or 80+?
I have a subwoofer that is pretty dang non-musical, but my midbasses really pick up where it lacks. I thought that the avalanche was supposed to be a pretty good sounding moofer.

I'd recommend looking into maybe a Fi Q or a Soundsplinter RL-P.

I should really get a tuning CD... It sounds really dead above 80 HZ and since my 6.5" mids are high-passed at 250 HZ it seems like there is a large range of frequencies in some songs.

I see you recommended a FI woofer, is there a online store that sells FI equipment? Thanks for your help man.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Why are your mids high passed at 250hz? That's pretty stupid if you ask me.

I think your sub is fine but your install needs some work. If your mids can't do 100hz, you need to work on your installation of them.

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

What enclosure is your sub in right now? It's the existing implemenation of your product that is causing the problem.

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

Why are your mids high passed at 250hz? That's pretty stupid if you ask me.
I think your sub is fine but your install needs some work. If your mids can't do 100hz, you need to work on your installation of them.

yeh... exactly

 

[billybrown66 10+ year member]

Why are your mids high passed at 250hz? That's pretty stupid if you ask me.
I think your sub is fine but your install needs some work. If your mids can't do 100hz, you need to work on your installation of them.

They aren't a dedicated midbass driver, it's a midrange driver apart of a two-way component system, MB Quart PSD216. If I i ran them to 100 they begin to distort pretty badly... at least at louder volume. I run 16 gauge speaker wire, I have two layers of raammat on the outer skin of the door, one layer on the inner skin, one layer of ensolite on each skin. The speakers are mounted to 1/4 MDF, any thicker the woofers would be in contact with the door panel. I have 1/0 gauge power wire running to a distro block, off the distro is 4 gauge to a pdx 4.150 and a pdx 1.1000. All speakers are mounted in stock locations. There should be no problem with the installation.

I'll mess around with with my settings, maybe they can go a bit lower...

 

[billybrown66 10+ year member]

What enclosure is your sub in right now? It's the existing implemenation of your product that is causing the problem.

AA Avalanche 12" in a .90-.95 ft^3 sealed enclosure.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

They aren't a dedicated midbass driver, it's a midrange driver apart of a two-way component system, MB Quart PSD216. If I i ran them to 100 they begin to distort pretty badly... at least at louder volume. I run 16 gauge speaker wire, I have two layers of raammat on the outer skin of the door, one layer on the inner skin, one layer of ensolite on each skin. The speakers are mounted to 1/4 MDF, any thicker the woofers would be in contact with the door panel. I have 1/0 gauge power wire running to a distro block, off the distro is 4 gauge to a pdx 4.150 and a pdx 1.1000. All speakers are mounted in stock locations. There should be no problem with the installation.
I'll mess around with with my settings, maybe they can go a bit lower...

I ran my PSD216 down to 40hz without problems. They'll do midbass no problem at all. How is the gain on your amp set? The bass? If you have everything set correctly, the quarts have great midbass output.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

The 6.5" woofer in that set IS the midbass and midrange driver. And yes, they should be able to play just fine down to 100hz, if not lower.

How are you gains set? What type of EQing have you done? Settings on the headunit? Amps?

 

[crawlinYJ 10+ year member]

I completely agree, but a subwoofer install should be relatively "easy", especially when putting it in a sealed box. Get 3/4" MDF, make the box, make sure it is sealed very well, put the subwoofer in, point it toward the trunk, connect it to the amp.

as long as their are no leaks, dont worry about sealing extremely porous wood like mdf. i have seen someone pick up a stack of four pieces of 3/4 mdf with suction and a piece of plexi on the other side.