NeoXxt13 needs help

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

NeoXxt13 is a new member here and for some reason could not start a new thread so i said i would help him out. So here it is -

Alright, here's my thread I wanted to start:

Hey guys... first post to the forum.

I've been into car audio now for about 7 years, give or take, and I came to the forum to expand my knowledge beyond the brands that I've been loyal to.(Kenwood, Clarion, Cadence, Polk....) I just got a new car and I'm working on getting a decent system going for daily listening.

I just bought a Powerbase Xtreme DV-12.2 which is 2 ohm dual voice coil and rated at 800w RMS/1600w peak. I'm thoroughly impressed with the physical build of the sub and with the SQ I'm getting with the current setup. My problem is, I'm running my old Cadence Ultradrive Z-800C bridged at 4 ohms to the sub and it's only getting roughly 350 watts. It barely moves the sub really. As I said, it's excellent for SQ, but once I connect my interior speakers to my 4 channel it's not going to have nearly as much effect. I'm an SQ over SPL person but I do like my teeth to rattle ever so slightly when I listen to a sound with a good bass line. (I'm a huge DMB fan and having a good stereo enhances the heck out of their music.)

Click to read more...

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

Part #2

Anyways, I'm in the market for an amp to push this sub. It's in a 1.2cu ft sealed encolsure. Max that I want to spend is roughly 250ish shipped. My knowledge base really only spans those brands I listed above, and although I'd love to get myself a Cadence A7 or one of the RS amps, I don't believe they are within my budget.
My reasearch on the board has brought me to these 4 amps thus far:

1.) Soundstream Van Gogh 800.1 (800x1@4ohms bridged)

2.) Power Acoustik A1800DB (1400x1@1ohm; Class D)

3.) Directed/Viper D1200.1 (1200x1@1ohm; Class D)

4.) HiFonics BX1500D (1500x1@1ohm; Class D)

My main concern really isn't power. Granted I want the sub to pound, but my focus is on the sound quality and that's why I'm considering the Soundstream. If my 250 is better spent on 800watts and it sounds better overall, then that's what I'll do.

Opinions and suggestions are appreciated. I'm open to just about anything. Thanks!

One more quick question while I've got your attention:

I'm fairly sure that I've got enough experience in all this stuff so I could set the gain correctly on the above mentioned setup (the old cadence amp and powerbase sub), but just to be sure, I tried to use a volt meter and go about it that way. Problem is, my setup should have a reading of around 36v ( sqrt(350*4) ), but the highest reading I can get is around 2v and change... could this be why I'm not satisfied with this setup on this amp? Could this be due to a shitty ground?

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

I would doubt that your ground is bad but it might now hurt to check it.

Out of those amps i would choose the Power acoustik for various reason.

Oh yea welcome to the boards.

 

[skeptikal Premium Member]

The Directed/Viper amps are great amps too. great build quality and will put out every bit of 1200 rms @ 1 ohm.

i dont think power loss has to do with a ground. if you have a bad ground your amp wont turn on at all. i have almost no idea why you are only getting 2v though...

 

[jellyfish420 10+ year member]

are you measuring the output with music or test tones?

set all your adjustments on your h/u, turn it up to your loudest listening level, pop in a 50Hz test tone, and measure.

p.s. i got a soundstream amp its the edge series, but i love it. its the pre-buyout, and i heard they're not as good since the buyout, but i don't think the amp has as much to do with sq as does the overall setup.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

If you want Soundstream, I'd suggest trying to find an older Soundstream Rubicon 702. Can be had for ~$175 shipped on egay and the for sale forums.

But, of the above options, I'd pick the DEI/Viper.

 

[neoxxt]

thanks for the help thus far guys...

i don't know why the hell i can't post new threads...

any other suggestions outside of what i may have listed?

edit: and thanks! monte for coming through and posting the thread for me.. much appreciated!!

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

thanks for the help thus far guys...
i don't know why the hell i can't post new threads...

any other suggestions outside of what i may have listed?

edit: and thanks! monte for coming through and posting the thread for me.. much appreciated!!

no problem man. Anything for a Monte driver //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[neoxxt]

Well, I fixed my voltage problem today with a Line Level Converter....

Sub sounds incredible now with only 350watts. It can go harder. How are the HiFonics amps also? It seems to be a very two sided debate here. Anything to say about the Lanzar also?

 

[monte_carlo97 10+ year member]

Well, I fixed my voltage problem today with a Line Level Converter....
Sub sounds incredible now with only 350watts. It can go harder. How are the HiFonics amps also? It seems to be a very two sided debate here. Anything to say about the Lanzar also?

hifonics seem to be a little overrated. good bang for buck.

Lanzar - **** but the optidrive series its awesome.