Overwhelmed by Selection

[iHertz 10+ year member]

Good morning all //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I've been reading these forums for some time & I am finally ready to post with some inquiries. I'm hoping you audiophiles will guide me in the right direction. I will try to provide as much info as I feel is relevant.

Let's start with my initial interest & why.

I have access to a solid connection to discounted Hertz gear.

I've messed around with car audio in the past and although I am not a total noob, I still feel far inferior to others who know the brands well, best bang for buck etc.

So I get the itch again & start reading forums & attempting to research a solid system build that makes sense that caters to what I need. The conclusion I have come up with is that although Hertz makes some amazing stuff, there are other brands out there that are just as good for a fraction of the cost.

Let me stop you right there. I am far from cheap & firmly believe in getting what I paid for. I am not planning in skimping out or going cheap on anything. With that in mind, I am also not MR.$bags.

Let's get back to the Hertz. From my research I have gathered that there are a few other high end names that I had never considered because I don't know anything about them ~ even though I have heard of them. Brands such as Zed, Audioque, FI and a few others that aren't coming to mind right now.

Let's get back to the overwhelmed feeling. I want to build a solid system that's going to slam. I don't intend on competing. I just enjoy loud thunderous bass without losing much of the sound quality. I want to be able to hear the lyrics through that bass.

Here's where you come in! I have spoken to a few shop owners & their intent is clear. No one is ever willing to suggest anything out of the realm of brands they carry. That's obvious. I would be surprise if the guy at BK told me there is a better burger at McDonalds.

I'm here for unbiased opinions. Unbiased in the sense that you have nothing to gain or lose by sharing that information with me.

This is a fresh install on a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. I want to run one 12" *SPL*, I do want a component set as well as the obvious 6x9's. What else do I need? I have a new Alpine Head Unit already.

Do you guys suggest I go with all 1 brand? Any major advantages to that I may be missing?

Any help here would greatly be appreciated. I have been reading here for awhile & I know for a fact some of you guys are wizards at this! Help a fellow bass head out!! Toss me your suggestions, feedback, call me a noob.. whatever it takes to get some help.

Hold my hand //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

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[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

you dont need to match brands. matching power and ohm levels is where you have to match things. im a tad confused. you stated that you want sound quality, but then you want to run one 12 *spl*. the enclosure will dictate sound more than the sub itself, but you still would not want to run an sq designed sealed sub in a ported box for example. a budget on what you want to spend would be helpful also.

 

[iHertz 10+ year member]

you dont need to match brands. matching power and ohm levels is where you have to match things. im a tad confused. you stated that you want sound quality, but then you want to run one 12 *spl*. the enclosure will dictate sound more than the sub itself, but you still would not want to run an sq designed sealed sub in a ported box for example. a budget on what you want to spend would be helpful also.

What does a good setup cost? $2000? I am not up to par on the pricing. So you are saying I can't run an SPL Sub and expect quality? I thought I was relying on the Sub for the Bass & the rest of the components for mainly clarity. Feel free to correct me!

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

no. im saying that a system built for sound quality would lose efficiency with spl equipment, at least in the sub department. you are correct about the fronts playing mids/highs and the sub handling the bass. in the front, i would dynamat the doors first off, and determine if the stock mount is solid, or if id need to use a wood ring custom. hertz components would be great if you want to spend it. a decent 2 channel amp to match the components power handling and ohm levels to go with them. do you often have people in the back seat?

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

i like my system, and i was far under 2000. jvc avx-1, ppi 356 comps, infinity 475a front amp, jl g1700 (got it cheap on craigslist) with a diamond audio D6 10. deadened both doors and the extended part of the cab. the ppi comps sound great btw. they are rebadged ads i think ???

 

[SubNit 10+ year member]

You can have a "SQ" front stage and "SPL" substage, thats what I got and it sounds great imo.

$2g's will get you everything you need to have a badass stereo system

 

[iHertz 10+ year member]

no. im saying that a system built for sound quality would lose efficiency with spl equipment, at least in the sub department. you are correct about the fronts playing mids/highs and the sub handling the bass. in the front, i would dynamat the doors first off, and determine if the stock mount is solid, or if id need to use a wood ring custom. hertz components would be great if you want to spend it. a decent 2 channel amp to match the components power handling and ohm levels to go with them. do you often have people in the back seat?

I hear what your saying. I guess I'm just trying to find a happy balance. I hate hearing distorted bass/music, it destroys the sound & enjoyment for me. I have heard great things about Diamond, they are on my list of Top Brands. I heard from a lot of different sources that JL is simply over priced for what you are getting, that type of product is available for cheaper. Is this accurate in your opinion?

I have read suggestions about using 2 amps. 1 of them being a mono for the Sub on its own. No, I don't often have people in the back seat. I do have my dogs crate though, I transport her often. Gorgeous pup in your avatar btw. Thank you for your help so far, much appreciated.

 

[iHertz 10+ year member]

You can have a "SQ" front stage and "SPL" substage, thats what I got and it sounds great imo.
$2g's will get you everything you need to have a badass stereo system

Ahhh! Thank you sir. Perhaps this is the type of thing I should be aiming for. Are you pleased with your pounding/clarity ratio?

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

You can have a "SQ" front stage and "SPL" substage, thats what I got and it sounds great imo.

when i think of spl, im thinking sub in a box ported above 40 hz in order to get loud on a meter. the box is what makes it spl. that same sub could probably sound nice in a box tuned to frequencies in the 30's, but it is no longer a system built with spl in mind.

 

[iHertz 10+ year member]

@hatemonger

I intend on using Second Skin. Seems to be at the top end of the spectrum. Are you familiar with that product?

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

@hatemonger
I intend on using Second Skin. Seems to be at the top end of the spectrum. Are you familiar with that product?

that is what i used. got a bulk pack for free on here (a contest the rep posted a couple years ago). works great. it sticks well to anything also.

 

[iHertz 10+ year member]

when i think of spl, im thinking sub in a box ported above 40 hz in order to get loud on a meter. the box is what makes it spl. that same sub could probably sound nice in a box tuned to frequencies in the 30's, but it is no longer a system built with spl in mind.

Don't lose me here! I'm getting confused. How come they sell SPL subs & then I guess, regular subs? I mean, if the only difference is the actual box it's encased in.

 

[iHertz 10+ year member]

that is what i used. got a bulk pack for free on here (a contest the rep posted a couple years ago). works great. it sticks well to anything also.

Perfect, great to see some of my research is paying off. I seem to be going in the right direction //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[azimuth 5,000+ posts]

Don't lose me here! I'm getting confused. How come they sell SPL subs & then I guess, regular subs? I mean, if the only difference is the actual box it's encased in.

people use all different types of subs for spl. some subs work better sealed, some work better ported, and some work fairly well in either. putting a sub designed to be sealed in a ported box is an innefficient way to get good bass from a ported system. first thing to decide is how much room you have for the sub. if you only desire to lose a small space, then a system design that is sealed might be your direction. or possibly a smaller sub ported.

 

[SubNit 10+ year member]

when i think of spl, im thinking sub in a box ported above 40 hz in order to get loud on a meter. the box is what makes it spl. that same sub could probably sound nice in a box tuned to frequencies in the 30's, but it is no longer a system built with spl in mind.

It's obvious this dudes not looking for #'s so the interpratation of SPL in this thread just means loud. His OP clearly states what he's looking for so I'm applying the term SPL as loosely as he is in order for him to understand

@iHertz

I am more than pleased with my equipment and my ratio of loudness:clarity. Although you'll always want more bass....I've yet to understand this