Newbie in need of help wiring a system

[Xtremitie]

All this Ohmage and what not is confusing the hell outta me.

Here it goes...

I got a Sony 50x4 CD HU, I plan on leaving that to power the front and rear dash speakers.

I picked up a Jensen XA2150 today (2ch 300w)

I've had a 15" sub laying around and I found two 12"s in the garage, I'd like to wire those 3 subs to the new Jensen amp, I couldn't tell ya the specs on the subs except that I think I'm safe when it comes to wattage. I'd image they're all 4ohm

I was hoping for the 2 12s to be in stereo and the 15 in mono

Now what and how would be a good way to wire all this up to get the most out of it without blowing stuff up, is it possible? and if not what would you recommend I do? I'm flat broke so spending more money isn't an option...

and btw, I drive a 84 Merc Cougar and plan on removing the backseat to fit the box nicely (the trunk is full of cannot be removed materials)

Also what would be a good box size for these 3 subs.

Could someone reply in simple to understand terms or post a link, or email me, Xtremitie@Adelphia.net

I'm planning on doing this tomarrow so the quickest response is the best //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

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[mykeys 10+ year member]

For starters you need to make sure the Jensen amp is mixed mono capable.. If not you are gonna cook it.. Second try 1-1.5 cubic foot boxes for the 12s and 2-2.5 cubic foot box for the 15 all sealed enclosures..If you want to port you will have to ask someone else. I would run 100-150 watts to each 12 the 15 hopefully will be able to handle somewhere around twice that in order to run the tri-way set up.

Mike..

 

[imral3 10+ year member]

well...

1) the jensen is a bit overated in watts and definately will not be able to push 3 subs. either the 2-12's in stereo or the 15 bridged depending on ohms.

2) it is not recomended to mix brand, model, size of subs in the same install for the same purpose (meaning all for subwoofers).

i would go with the 2-12's for better sound quality as well as less strain on the amp.

 

[Xtremitie]

I'm pretty sure it'll take mixed mono, I'll have to check again on that

But if it does... is there a way to wire these 3 speakers properly? And how would that be?

 

[imral3 10+ year member]

yes it is tri-mode capable... but as i stated earlier it is not powerful enough to drive the three subs. i am not exactly sure how the watts are divided in a tri-mode set up, but if the max RMS output is 200, then divided by three subs it only equals 66 watts per sub... not very much for subs. its ratings are as follows:

75w rms x 2 @ 4ohms

100w rms x 2 @ 2ohms

200w rms x 1 @ 4ohms

it would help me tell you which sub/subs to use and how to wire them if i knew the models or ohm ratings for each sub as well as how many voice coils each has.

 

[mykeys 10+ year member]

If it is 200 watts bridged it would come out to something like 50x2 for the ones in stereo and 100 watts to the 15.. The amp is barely big enough to run a single 12 let alone all three Imral3 made a good point on that... However I disagree on the mixing of sizes and or brands as long as there is a symetry to it..Like the 12s would need to be the same brand but the 15 wouldn't matter..The enclosures are going to be the most important.. They all need to be tuned (built to produce the same frequency response) which can be tricky with different brands and sizes but it is doable.. Usually when you mix and match it is with 8s or 10s for midbass and 12s or 15s for the deep feel type bass.

Mike

 

[Xtremitie]

Well these aren't your everyday 500watt subs fellas

Specs on the 12s are unknown, no name... nothing is on these speakers, and their origin is unknown All I could tell you, is that all 3 speakers have single voice coils, and the magnet on the 12s, is huge... the 15 on the other hand is a ultimate something or another 4ohm... low wattage too, bought it from a friend with no manuals, but I saw him blow another one of the same type at about 250watts

I wired um all up just to see what would happen and what I could expect... the 12s perform a continous rasping bass sound... kinda crappy but I'm hoping to replace those with some good ones, the 15 kicks real nice... I think with some finer adjusting of the amp and HU I could get some better sound of it for the time being until money permits some nice new 12s in my car

 

[ramos 5,000+ posts]

Why not just stick the 15" in a proper size sealed enclosure and bridge the amp to it alone.

 

[imral3 10+ year member]

if it works... then there is nothing wrong with it until the upgrade bug bites and ofcourse the upgrade fairy gives you the much needed ca$h...

 

[dallas101346 10+ year member]

UMMM IF I WERE U, ID FORGET ABOUT TRYIN TO RUN 3 SUBS ON A JENSEN AMP..OR ANY AMP FOR THAT MATTER....JENSEN IS OVERRATED SOO IT DEF WONT WORK. USE THE JENSON AMP, AND PUSH THAT 1 15 TAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH

 

[Xtremitie]

Dallas, if you heard my car, you'd be surprised with the result.

I think you all would, as I'm quite happy with what came out of a cheap but effective system.

As spoken about on another board the 12s aren't subs... but Peavy speakers out of a guitar amp, I set the Jensen xover to full and used a low passive on the 15' sub.

Those three in my backseat along with the 2 6x9s in the back dash and 2 4 1/2s in the front dash, I get a experience similar to standing next to a speaker at a rock concert, without the deafness, and neither the HU, or Jensen is turned up past 1/2 way.

I wasn't looking for a pounding bass to break the rusty bolts off of my 84 Cougar, but a nice pleasing stereo experience, As I'm a metal and rock fan, I need some treble in there and the peavys do a good amount of both treble and bass and the 15 makes up for what bass is lost.

I haven't tried mixed mono yet, but right now the sub is bridged and the 12s are hooked up normally, like showed in the Jensen manual therefore giving the 15 8ohms instead of 4. I'm gonna have to try mixed mono soon to see what that'll be like.

BTW, the amp is a Jensen XA2150 and in my opinion, for $55 it pumps out a good amount of juice, Same thing was said by another student at my school.

Anyhow, does anyone think a mixed mono wire job would be any more effective? And does this amp support that without blowing stuff up?