My first setup (newcomer) - Any advise appreciated!

[AwesomeStranger 10+ year member]

So, I have an itch to build a system up for my car. It's a 2004 Lancer OZ rally. Decent sized trunk for a smaller car. Well, I've never had a system myself, but I have a few buddies that have, and I feel like it's time for myself to do something.

I've been looking for something that's not going to kill all my trunk space, so 12's are probably out of the question. I've been looking at the Sundown Audio series of subs. They seem to be very high quality and rated very good from the reviews and buzz I've seen around the internet regarding them. I've only done some minor research, so bare with me if I sound like a idiot, lol.

The type of music I listen to varies. Mainly genres such as Drum and Bass, Techno, House, Electro, Trance, Hardstyle, Dubstep, Some Rap, Older Metal/Punk, that's about it for the most part.

I was thinking something along the lines of one SA-10 or two of the new SA-8 v.2's which look awesome and barley take up any space, something I'm really looking for.

I'm sort of clueless on an amp to use for that sort of setup, and the difference in dual 2 ohm vs 4 ohm subs, etc.

Well, if you have read my post this far, thanks and any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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[miker 5,000+ posts]

The dual2 vs dual4 is the impedance's. Basically the difference would be wiring options.

People generally go with D2 if you're just getting 1 sub and D4 if you're getting 2 subs, because those both give you a 1ohm wiring option which is the most cost effective way to go since an amp can put out more power at lower resistances.

As far as an amp goes you will want a mono amp that puts out the power you wish to have at what ever impedance you wire your sub(s) to.

Going with 2 8s will give you approx 1/3 more cone area, but will cost you twice as much for the subs and possibly more for the amp as well.

The larger the sub you use the lower the price to cone area ratio is. Plus 600w can do a lot with a good sub and enclosure.

How little space are you trying to use?

 

[AwesomeStranger 10+ year member]

Thanks for that very informative post, that cleared a few things up.

Well I'm not set on a particular number for size, but smaller the better really. I was wanting to maybe go with one sub for now and have the amp to where it would be able to handle two in the future. I'm curious how well just one SA-8 v2 and a amp pushing at least 500w RMS to the sub would sound... The sa-10 seems like a decent sub, but what puzzles me is why the Sa-12 and SA-10 are almost the same price? From what I have gathered, the SA-8 would be a punchy tight, low hitting little 8. It's also different and I like that quality, normally everyone had 10's or 12's.

I could probably pull off 1 sa-8 v2 ($200 or so after shipping) Then some sort of amp for $100-150 + Box materials + wiring? I'm just looking for some bass, nothng too overpowering for now. I don't really want to sound deaden my entire car. I could do this for starters, then eventually buy another sa-8 and build a new box. Ideas?

I really like the look of this guys build. The amp price is too much for me as of now though.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for that very informative post, that cleared a few things up.
Well I'm not set on a particular number for size, but smaller the better really. I was wanting to maybe go with one sub for now and have the amp to where it would be able to handle two in the future. I'm curious how well just one SA-8 v2 and a amp pushing at least 500w RMS to the sub would sound... The sa-10 seems like a decent sub, but what puzzles me is why the Sa-12 and SA-10 are almost the same price? From what I have gathered, the SA-8 would be a punchy tight, low hitting little 8. It's also different and I like that quality, normally everyone had 10's or 12's.

I could probably pull off 1 sa-8 v2 ($200 or so after shipping) Then some sort of amp for $100-150 + Box materials + wiring? I'm just looking for some bass, nothng too overpowering for now. I don't really want to sound deaden my entire car. I could do this for starters, then eventually buy another sa-8 and build a new box. Ideas?

You can't go too far wrong with Sundown. Solid product and good customer support. If you buy good quality equipment it'll always hold some re-sale value when/if you ever decide to upgrade or just get out of it. Before you buy, check Sundown section at SSA forum, sometimes there's B-stock and refurbs on blowout sale price (haven't seen anything in a while, but occasionally it happens so it's worth a look)

As far as one size woofer being about the same cost as another. 90% of the parts are the same (or at least very close in cost) between various sizes of any given model line.

As far as what will be adequate for you, nobody can say. I suspect just as many people are happy with their first setup and never change it as not, and some people can't stop upgrading and mixing things up.

 

[DET08 10+ year member]

I would hesitate to spend any less than 200 on an amp...i've been trying to put together a system and the amp seems to take out the biggest chunk of the budget any way i look at it

10's are best for musical quality, I've never heard 8's but if you listen to DnB you might be disappointed with the bass

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

I would hesitate to spend any less than 200 on an amp...i've been trying to put together a system and the amp seems to take out the biggest chunk of the budget any way i look at it
10's are best for musical quality, I've never heard 8's but if you listen to DnB you might be disappointed with the bass

Disregard everything this guy just said.

A single 8" can do wonders in about half a cubic foot and 500w. If you need a little more ouput, get another one. Or if you don't want to spend that much, opt for the single 10".

Go measure out your trunk and decide on how much rooom you're willing to give up (and how much weight you're willing to add). We can make a better recommendation from there. Also, if you want to run more than 1,000w or so, you may be looking at adding another battery or at least upgrading the one under the hood. And that can be a significant expense. If you don't want to go that route, stick with a single sub.

You can find a nice amp for a single SA for under $200 easily.

 

[AwesomeStranger 10+ year member]

Any amp recommendations for one/two SA-8s? This being my first setup I would be happy regardless. I just don't like to buy crappy products. Sure, I could buy a cheap Walmart set of subs lol, but I like nice things, and sundown has a really good track record far as I can see from researching. I can get a sa-10 for less than one sa-8 v.2 strap a good amp on and decent box to that and be happy regardless. I'm just curious to how I should go about doing this. The reason I'm really leaning towards the sa-8's is the fact that they are different, and small. I work as a PC technician and I need my trunk space for transporting computers, wiring etc.

EDIT: Taylor, any idea of a good amp for one sa-8 v2? Whats the best size box for this sub, ported? Looking to upgrade to two in the future, but If I get a cheap one sub amp now I could always upgrade to another SA-8 v2 and get a nice sundown amp or something yah know?

This amp http://www.amazon.com/Hifonics-Brutus-BRZ1200-1D-D-Class-Block/dp/B0036B8URK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336919904&sr=1-3 + http://www.amazon.com/SA-8-V2-D-2-Sundown-Subwoofer/dp/B007W5WU2C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336922836&sr=8-3 Would that be a decent setup?

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

For a single, here's a few off the top of my head...

PowerBass® ASA 600.1x MONOBLOCK MONO CAR AUDIO AMPLIFIER AMP 600W RMS ASA600.1x 823871003358 | eBay

F700-1 CADENCE AMP MONOBLOCK 1600W MAX SUBS SUBWOOFERS SPEAKERS AMPLIFIER F7001 812902006260 | eBay

(-NEW-) PPI Phantom P600.2 600 Watts RMS 2-Channel Amp Precision Power P6002 | eBay

SOUNDSTREAM DTR1.900D 900 WATT RMS MONOBLOCK D-TOWER AMPLIFIER MONO SUB AMP 1800 | eBay

This would be lovely for a pair. Or for headroom on a single.

CADENCE F1200-1D 2400 WATT CLASS D MONO-BLOCK AMPLIFIER 613815572398 | eBay

Awesome little amp here. And it's tiny!

(-NEW-) PPI Phantom P1000.1 1000 watts RMS Mono Amp W/Bass Knob Precision Power | eBay

 

[AwesomeStranger 10+ year member]

Thanks for helping me man. I'm thinking about the first one you posted. I could have a single sa-8 v2 with that amp, and everything for under $400. What should I do for wires? Say I get this amp and one of the sa-8 v.2's.

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

Thanks for helping me man. I'm thinking about the first one you posted. I could have a single sa-8 v2 with that amp, and everything for under $400. What should I do for wires? Say I get this amp and one of the sa-8 v.2's.

All day long right here. This is a no brainer...

Amazon.com: KnuKonceptz KCA Complete 4 Gauge Amp Installation Kit: Car Electronics

 

[AwesomeStranger 10+ year member]

Sweet, so should I get a d4 or d2 sub for now?

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

Sweet, so should I get a d4 or d2 sub for now?

If you're looking at that PowerBass, then get a D4 because it's a 2 ohm amp.

 

[AwesomeStranger 10+ year member]

Alright, what would the sub run at, RMS wise?

 

[Full Tilt 10+ year member]

Alright, what would the sub run at, RMS wise?

If you're referring to the SA 8v2, I believe they're rated at 400w RMS. However, they can take plenty more than that as long as you keep the signal clean. It should perform well on just about anything you give it/them.

 

[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

If you're referring to the SA 8v2, I believe they're rated at 400w RMS. However, they can take plenty more than that as long as you keep the signal clean. It should perform well on just about anything you give it/them.

I think the v2's are 500rms. Not that that is a whole hill of beans. They can take some juice.