Need Advice: New Audio System

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

Thanks.

The guy I talked to said Kicker sells cheap crap from walmart and BB, but the dealer equipment is superior. He said the 400 or 800 watt amp was plenty. Coming from my history, its hard to figure out what is what. Thats whats taking me so long. I don't buy junk, for anything. Now with this setup, I am not buying the best money can buy, but something in the middle. I want something that will work well but won't cost a fortune.

The more I am thinking about it, it may be more economical to go with 1 bigger sub instead of 2. So although I am not dismissing 2 - 8's, I am looking more at 1 - 10" or 1 - 12". That will save me $$.

For the box, I found those 2 that I posted and they look decent. Not completely opposed to trying to build one if it makes the most sense and will make a huge improvement. The Kicker guy was showing me that 12" CompRT slim sealed box. Seems ok and it was like $250 or something. Is that stuff really that bad or is it legit?

Also, he told me about using a 5 channel amp to run the whole system. If I go 1 sub and just do components in the front, I could consider 1 amp. Is that a terrible idea or is it something to consider?

So I wonder what it would be like to have a single 12", and either (1) 5 channel amp or 2 amps.

The PPI's are clearly the cheapest no matter how you slice it, unless I go with a single 5 channel, which I think NVX and a couple others make. For 2 amps, in order of price its, PPI - FSD - NVX - SQ - Kicker.

Another thing I just noticed is mounting depth. The SQ 10 and 12 are 6.25" for 10" and 7" for the 12". Those are close or over what I can do with my box size. Sundown is 4.75" and 5.25". Kicker is 3.5" and 3.75" mount depth.

 

[cfox10 10+ year member]

Just say no to kicker. The single 12 will have more cone area than two 8's so it might be a good option.

 

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

From what I can see, if I go with a single 12 or single 10, I am probably going to have to go with Sundown SD-2 or Kicker Comp RT. Both have a shallow enough depth and a box size that might work. The 12's in both are asking for 1.75cu.ft. for a ported box. I may not be able to get that much. So I may be forced to a 10" or go with 12" sealed unless I can squeeze the box a little bigger.

 

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

So what do you guys think about a single 10 or 12? The SD 2 and the kicker rt are the only ones I see for small enclosures.

I'm trying to nail down the amps. Should I considera 5 channel?

 

[DaytonLax14 10+ year member]

I had a Sundown SA-12 in a box with a bottom depth of 9" and a top depth of 6"

 

[djr4x4]

In regards to the amp.. I always preferred multiple amps.. 1 dedicated to my subs, and a 2nd amp dedicated to my highs.. For subs. I'd remove the kicker from the list.. I'd go with the skar vd series over the kicker (my opinion).

 

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

I normally do like 2 amps also, but this is my sons truck and I am trying to keep a budget if possible. If its a bad idea, I won't consider it, but I am trying to figure out if its an option to do 1.

As for the sub, the Kicker is the only other sub other than Sundown that I have seen take a small box, sealed or ported.

 

[DaytonLax14 10+ year member]

I normally do like 2 amps also, but this is my sons truck and I am trying to keep a budget if possible. If its a bad idea, I won't consider it, but I am trying to figure out if its an option to do 1.
As for the sub, the Kicker is the only other sub other than Sundown that I have seen take a small box, sealed or ported.

DC subs do awesome in small boxes...

DC level 3 ten inch woofer calls for a 1 cubic foot ported box. This would be great for a single cab truck. I have the same truck and I have a 2.5 cubic foot box behind the seats

 

[djr4x4]

I'd research good 5 channel amps that are high powered to accommodate the subs appropriately and then research 2 amps and see how close they come price wise..

 

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

Well, the Kicker 800.5 is like $500. The NVX 900.5 is $225. I know neither will max out a 1000watt sub, but I don't necessarily need to max it out on day 1. I want something for my son that will play loud when he wants it to. I don't know if I need 1000+ watts to do it. That's why I am on here trying to figure it out.

 

[DaytonLax14 10+ year member]

You might not even need an amp for the highs. You could run coaxials in the doors and run them off the headunit. That's what I do bc of my budget and I'm happy with it.

 

[djr4x4]

I looked up the NVX amp and don't forget about the break down.. @ 2 ohms you get 115 watts x 4 for the highs.. @ 2 ohms you get 440 watts x 1 for the sub. ATM I'm running an amp @ 600 x 1 @ 1 ohm on 2 skar vd-8's. It does decent, but I'm about to double the power. and my highs atm run off my head unit and it does very well...

 

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

Yeh I saw that. The Kicker is similar, but a lot more expensive. Not sure if its that much better or now. I am fine with 115 watts per speaker for fronts. The 440watts for the sub is a little low, but I am just planning on doing 1 - 10" or 1 - 12" now, so its not that bad, is it? I thought it may still sound good, just maybe not maxing out. I haven't decided on this route, just looking at both options.

 

[djr4x4]

I think the highs would be overpowering the sub.. Don't think you'd be to happy on that setup.. It would leave you wanting ton's more on the lowend.. I though my 600 watt amp would satisfy me and boy was I wrong.

 

[djtech2k 10+ year member]

I was wondering. A 5 channel may not work. I just need to pick a set of amps. Ppi, nvx, fsd, soundqubed, kicker, sundown....maybe I should flip a coin lol. I think kicker might have to fall off because of cost. The rest are in play. I want either 1 10" or 1 - 12" sub.