MY REVIEW: 18" RD Alpha vs. 18" FI Q

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

This review is about which sub gets louder in the same box, in the same car!!!!

Well, here it is

Box size: 5.5cu. ft

Tuning: Should be 32hz (but seems to be higher)

Amp: MX3000.1 @2 ohms on the Q, @1 ohm on the Alpha

It was an interesting comparison. All in all, so far I dunno which one I like better, didnt get to drive around to much, but this is what I got out of it

Although I had it tuned to 32 hz, the Q seemed to peak around 38hz I would guess, which hit harder than another box I had it in where it peaked at lower frequencies, so it seemed to get the loudest at about 35-38hz. But could hit the 30-32hz pretty solid. I dropped the Alpha in today, went out and tuned it. It lacked in the low end area more than the Q as far as how loud it got, BUT, it got lower than the Q...???very strange. I was playing a song where it says, "If you can't pick up the lows in this next song.... THEN YOU AIN'T BANGIN MUTHA-FUCKA" The lowest note it hits was non-existent with the Q, but I could actually hear that note with the Alpha

The alpha seemed to peak even higher though, i'd guess around 40Hz, and it got loud up to 50. At both of their peaks, i'd say the Alpha moved a little more air than the Q, I had a little more flex and rattling harder with the Alpha. I'm running the amp at about full gain, just a tad under

Here is the strange thing... I have the gains set so my peak on the radio is 30/35.... 35+ I can crank it up to 30 and it will get louder up to that point, BUT, with the Alpha, on the lower notes, it peaks at 27...where as the Q I could go to 30, regardless

So its a tough decision right now as far as which one I want to keep. I am going to throw the Alpha in the 7 cu. ft box that I have, because it seemed to be tuned a little lower (even though both boxes should be 32hz, the bigger one DEFINITELY hits a lot lower), then I will make my decision from there... Only problem is the bigger box doesnt allow me to keep the floor board in the trunk, and it jumps around, and squeaks a TONNN with this cold weather here now.

- and if I don't like that, i'll try tuning the smaller box a little lower and see what happens

SO... alpha GETS lower, Q hits lows harder, but doesnt get AS low... (i know, kinda weird)

Gotta say, as of now i'm a little disappointed, I was hopin it would get a litttle louder... not much diff. than the Q

Edit: wtf... just saw the displ. on the Q is .24... the Alpha is .4!!?? how is that... they are the exact same dam size!

Click to read more...

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

are you pushing roughly twice the power to the Alpha?

I'm sure either sub would do better in a larger enclosure. Time to get an SUV or do a wall...

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

well. i figure i was gettin about 1800 to the Q... id guess if my voltage is good on the Alpha, i should be gettin 2500+

 

[WildSebring 10+ year member]

Good review...as I'm into 18's and hitting low, and hard.. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

just put the 7 cu. ft box in... gonna take it for a test, will report back

 

[Mc_Hammer 10+ year member]

was the alpha brand new? if so its gonna sound different as it gets broken in

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

You're a fucking idiot. Worst review. Too many variables.

I can't believe how dumb you are, but everytime you type something else, it contunually validates my thoughts.

nG

 

[MisterGrubbs 5,000+ posts]

He bought one of Matt's Alpha 18's. No, they were not used - but not beaten on much at all. They should have already broken in and be ready to rock and roll.

Where's the quality comparison?

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

You're a fucking idiot. Worst review. Too many variables.
I can't believe how dumb you are, but everytime you type something else, it contunually validates my thoughts.

nG

sorry i didnt post how the violins sounded along with the trombones and saxaphones for ya... what are you looking for??

as far as how they sounded.... they sounded very similar... as i said... one likes higher frequencies better, one like lower frequencies better

I just put the Alpha in the 7cu. ft box, and it loved it compared to the Q. Hit the lows much harder, but doesnt hit the higher frequencies as much

NG, sorry I don't have a 5K head unit with a 5K amp, with a 100% sound deadened car that I play acoustical music on!!!, so no, i can't give you a good review of musical re-production, as the only subs i've ever really had in my car are 15" R's, the Q, and this alpha... so unless you have heard many many many many subs IN THE SAME CAR, you have no room to talk, and im saying that knowing you have a bizillion posts... and I doubt you have... and to give a technical review and comparison of subs, you have to have all them in the same car to give an accurate, detailed review

so either give me a description of what kind of review you're looking for.. or shut the fuck up and stop post dumping like you know you shouldn't be

and another thing... you know that 90% of people on this forum are looking for a How loud vs how loud review, not a musical reproduction review... for I only listen to rap.. hence why I have the subs that I have.... and what are the too many variables??? they are in the same car, same box, same tuning????????????????????

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

my dilemma now is what to keep... Ilike the Q and its output better in the smaller box, and I like the Alpha, and how it hits the lows better in the bigger box

 

[BassAddictJ 5,000+ posts]

was the alpha brand new? if so its gonna sound different as it gets broken in

thats probably why the alpha gets lower but isnt hitting as hard. gots to break in and then itll be hittin ALOT harder ont he lows

You're a fucking idiot. Worst review. Too many variables.
I can't believe how dumb you are, but everytime you type something else, it contunually validates my thoughts.

nG

gotta agree with nHoe, you're comparing to completely differant subs with so many install variables....you cannot compare the 2 even in a controlled environment. like comparing a hummer h2 to a honda civic.

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

gotta agree with nHoe, you're comparing to completely differant subs with so many install variables....you cannot compare the 2 even in a controlled environment. like comparing a hummer h2 to a honda civic.

still not seeing it... what are the different install variables besides a different sub

 

[rumblebee2 10+ year member]

lmao- ng have to agrre with ng also. basically what he is telling you is you are using different wattages among other things.

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

well yea... im just tryin to give a review on which sub is louder... not the SQ... for that is why I tried the Alpha after I tried the Q

what, you want me to throw 2500+ at the Q, then give a review... don't think i'd even have to say what the result would be... just tryin to give what was loudest... they sound the same in SQ (whatever that may be when playing the loudest songs you can find)

 

[Wkbdkid 10+ year member]

If you giving one sub 2500 an one 1800 its not hard to figure out which one will be louder.