Opinions on first setup

[lmnop 10+ year member]

Well I've been researching for a while on what to get and what not to get for a first system with a budget of about $600. I've recently visited the local shops and have come up with two possible setups.

First setup would be two 12" Pioneer Premiers (800w max/400w rms) in a sealed box ($250) with a RF Punch amp ($250). I'm not to sure on which specific amp it was but the guy at the store said it would put 500 watts rms to each sub. With wiring (30'ish) and installation (60) it would be about $600.

Second setup at a different shop would be a single 12" Diamond Audio CM3 ($150) in a "special diamond audio specific" ported box ($100) with a HiFonics Zues giving it 400 watts($150). Plus wiring (again 30'ish) and I'm not sure about their installation prices.

Now these will be my first subwoofer(s). I'd say I'm mainly going for SQ but still want it to get REAL loud while sounding good. The classic 60/40 SQ/SPL.

I was also toying with the ideas of getting a Tempest and building my own ported box or getting a single 15" SE and building a ported box. I'd like to get something around here to avoid shipping/waiting/building a box but if there would be a HUGE benefit from getting a Tempest or SE I'd hold out for them.

So which would be best for a first setup? Any other setup suggestions are welcome.

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[rx7vert 10+ year member]

build your own box no matter what you choose. pre built boxes are rarely very good.

 

[jellyfish420 10+ year member]

id go re.......

 

[lmnop 10+ year member]

Well does anyone have any experience with the Premiers or the CM3? Any ideas on which would have better sound quality or which would get louder. Also how would a Tempest or a single 12" or 15" SE compare to both setups in sound quality and loudness if it was in a ported box getting about 600-800 watts.

 

[rippinitup7 10+ year member]

delete post

 

[lmnop 10+ year member]

Well now that I've thought about it and actually looked at the prices of the local shops I realize I could go with RE and still spend about the same amount.

As I said this will be my first subwoofer setup. Im looking for excellent sound quality but also the ability to get loud enough to beat all the other kids with their best buy bought sub and box combos.

I'm considering going with either -

One 12" SE

or

One 12" SX

Here are my questions.

1)I was also thinking about going with the 15" for both models. Would the size difference be that noticable audibly?

2)How much of a difference and what is the difference between the SE and SX models. From what I've read the SX is more SPL and the SE is more SQ. Will the SX be too loud and not have enough SQ? Will the SE be too quiet? I still want to be able to listen to my music at a normal level without having the sub overpowering my stock speakers.

3)What type of box should I put both in? If I choose sealed for both will I be significantly hindering their loudness? If I go ported will the sound quality significantly drop?

4) Could I get just a single 12" either SE or SX in a ported box and still be able to get louder than people with two 12's in their prefab boxes. For example could a single 12" SE or SX in a ported box get louder than two Pioneer Premiers in a prefab sealed box with a cheap sony 1200w amp?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lmnop 10+ year member]

anyones input please? 500-600 budget

1 15" se

1 12" sx

2 pioneer premiers in a sealed box with an RF amp doing 500 a piece

which would be good for a 60/40 sq/spl set up?

would the single se or sx in a ported box get as loud as the premiers?

need input please //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crying.gif.ec0ebefe590df0251476573bc49e46d8.gif

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

I'm in the same spot you're in, except I'm buying my stuff online (=cheaper), and my dad is going to help me build my own box and install the system (=no install charge). So I'm looking at all different types of subs. I really like the SI Magnum 12", but my only worries is that my electrical system (weak 4-cy. 626) won't be able to support the kind of power the Magnum really likes. What do you more experienced guys think?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

upgrade your stock electrical, maybe add a HO alternator with the money you've saved in install and retail charges.

 

[lmnop 10+ year member]

could a 1999 buick century handle an amp doing 1000 watts rms on stock electrical system?

 

[g30ffr3y 10+ year member]

go with the SE's... the SQ is awsome!!! and i can already

feel they want to get wicked loud...

but im still breaking them in...

anyways... 1 12"SE is only 185 shipped... leaving you

a TON of $$$ for the amp/box/install/wires...

 

[lmnop 10+ year member]

do you think one 12" SE in a ported box would get loud?

 

[HincklNutt 10+ year member]

do you think one 12" SE in a ported box would get loud?

hell yeah, the 15 would get louder thogh.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

To answer your other question, yes a 15 is noticeably louder, and deeper, than a 12. It has over 50% more cone area than a 12. I would recommend trying to go with the 15" version of whatever sub you choose, if you only want the single sub setup. But beware, 15's generally take twice as big a box (approx) as does a 12.

 

[colt325e 10+ year member]

Im pretty sure you can get those Premeirs for like $50 each online. 200 Sounds like a crapload for those subs.