Opinions on which way to go...

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

I'm at a crossroads. I just effed up the box I'd been working on for my older XXX 12 so before I start on a new box I figured I'd get some opinions.

I'm redoing the system for the 2nd time. The front stage is purchased: the CDT ES-02s are here and the ES-06+s are on their way. My options for power on them are a 225 HCCA bridged on each midbass and a 225 in stereo to the mid/tweets or the Son of Frank running the whole setup. Probably go with the latter for simplicity and because the amp is awesome.

The dilema is with the sub stage. Right now I have the '03 XXX 12 in D2 config, a trio of 10W6s and a quartet of Assassin 8s at my disposal. For power I have a PG MS-2125 or a HCCA 2100 (that I'm not really willing to run @ 1 ohm).

I'm thinking about getting some new gear for one or the other though. Going that route I would either get a pair of Fi SSd 10s in D2 config and run them on the 2100 @ 2 ohms or get a SAZ-1500D and go with the XXX or Assassins.

My system goals are SQ. The subs will be crossed in the 60Hz range and I want a nice full bottom end (which is why I'm leaning toward the XXX out of the subs I have currently). Obviously with the kind of power I'm looking at it will be able to get pretty loud, too but that isn't the primary focus. I listen to everything, rock, jazz, country, a bit of rap, classical, everything. The subs will be in a low tuned ported box built to spec, which is why I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do, so I can start building the box. I'm sick of not having a stereo in the car and I have some time to work.

Ideas, suggestions, anything I didn't think of.

I'm leaning toward the amp...

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[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Run all the subs, that will give you the best SQ of it all.. duh... **** amping the front stage; just use the other amps to help power the subs.

For the front stage, I would be tempted to run them on the HCCAs. I don't know anything about the Son of Frank amp though. 225 is more than enough headroom for an awesome sounding front stage. I don't think you could be lacking with that. Will the amp be doing any crossover work or will it be processes elsewhere?

Since you're crossing the sub over around 60hz, I would go the xxx route as you don't need to worry about upper frequency extension.

How did you **** up your current enclosure build?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The Son of Frank is a LE PG amp form the mid 90's. It's a MS-275 and a MS-2125 in a single heatsink. 75x2 for the mid/tweets and 125x2 for the midbasses. Processing will be handled by an Altomobile Drive30. Does EQ (5 parametric bands per input channel (2) and 5 per discrete ouput channel(6)), crossover (1st-4th order with frequency selectable in 1/12 octave steps, bandpass capable on each output) and time alignment (left and right plus independant on channels 1-4 on the output in 21us steps).

As far as the enclosure goes...it all centers around the motor brace. I've seen way too many pics on here of busted baskets on the cast frame subs to leave the big *** motor on that XXX unsupported. Cut the first one while I was building the box with a 8 3/4" hole. Got everything glued up and went to test fit the sub and it was loose in the motor brace. That's useless. Cut another at 8.5". Too small. Cut a 3rd at 8 5/8". It was a hair too big (8 9/16" is apparently the size of the motor slugs) but close enough I could live with it. Cut the new brace into quarters ot get it in through the sub cutout and glued it to the original brace. I thought I left enough space where the saw kerf was on each cut but I guess not. The motor won't fit in the brace. Enclosure is junk.

 

[jrouter76 10+ year member]

i would run the SOF for the tweets and Midbass and i would get theSAZ1500d for the xxx sub this will at least simplify your amp situation plus don`t the saz1500d run 1-ohm stable?just my 2 cents if I were in your situation.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

The Son of Frank is a LE PG amp form the mid 90's. It's a MS-275 and a MS-2125 in a single heatsink. 75x2 for the mid/tweets and 125x2 for the midbasses. Processing will be handled by an Altomobile Drive30. Does EQ (5 parametric bands per input channel (2) and 5 per discrete ouput channel(6)), crossover (1st-4th order with frequency selectable in 1/12 octave steps, bandpass capable on each output) and time alignment (left and right plus independant on channels 1-4 on the output in 21us steps).
As far as the enclosure goes...it all centers around the motor brace. I've seen way too many pics on here of busted baskets on the cast frame subs to leave the big *** motor on that XXX unsupported. Cut the first one while I was building the box with a 8 3/4" hole. Got everything glued up and went to test fit the sub and it was loose in the motor brace. That's useless. Cut another at 8.5". Too small. Cut a 3rd at 8 5/8". It was a hair too big (8 9/16" is apparently the size of the motor slugs) but close enough I could live with it. Cut the new brace into quarters ot get it in through the sub cutout and glued it to the original brace. I thought I left enough space where the saw kerf was on each cut but I guess not. The motor won't fit in the brace. Enclosure is junk.

Ouch, sucks about the brace. You probably would have been better off just making a half moon shape to support it. That way, you could make it too tall and sand off a 1/64 at a time until it fit snug. No real way to test that though without leaving the top off.

Well the SOF amp seems like a pretty good idea too. Not as much headroom but would make things a lot easier.

About how much do the Drive30s go for on ebay?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Well the SOF amp seems like a pretty good idea too. Not as much headroom but would make things a lot easier.

Actually a lot more power than the 225s so headroom aplenty.

About how much do the Drive30s go for on ebay?

Never seen one on eBay. I got mine new though I don't think Alto is in the car audio business anymore. You can still get some of their stuff from Decibel Garden which is where I got my Drive30. $400 new with warranty.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Bump because I can. Custom distro block anyone? Looks like I need to make one regardless of which way I go with this. Hobby sized machine tools FTW!

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

Do the SOF on the front stage.

Then get the pair of SSD's on the 2100 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif...

You'll love it. Plus, I'm a fan of the old school amps //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

nG

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Do the SOF on the front stage.
Then get the pair of SSD's on the 2100 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif...

nG

But that wouldn't match...It would be cheaper though.

I'm a fan of the old school amps .

Yeah, me, too. I should take a pic of my collection since nothing is in the car right now...

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Morning bump to go with the morning coffee...