Questions about upgrading setup…?

[s.abushaikha]

I currently have 2 Skar SDR 10” powered on 1200watts in their ported box (loaded enclosure package). I’ve been pretty happy with the way they sound, how loud they get and how low they go. They literally flex my roof. However after about a year, recently I’ve been looking into upgrading to a setup that is higher quality. I know Skar is a budget brand and the SDR’s are the lowest grade, originally I wanted to move to the SVR series however I’m now considering more things. I have a lot of questions that would help me consider what to focus on next. I know I want dual 12”s, I want to be able to go as low as possible, be considerate of trunk space (2013 Lexus GS - Mid size trunk), be accurate and have good sound quality while being able to show off when I want. I know that’s a lot to ask for but I feel it’s possible. I’d still like to remain on a budget as well.



The biggest issue besides the “budget” is I’ve only ever heard my current subs, I’ve never sat in anyone else’s car with any other type of subs. I’m now exploring the difference between SQ and SPL subs, realizing that an SQ sub might be the way for me. I mainly spend most of my listening to Rap/Hip-Hop while occasionally switching it up. Quality would be most important to me due to the fact I daily drive the vehicle, but I don’t want to be disappointed when I turn the bass up.



Here’s my main questions.



Do sealed enclosures play lower or do ported enclosures play lower? I know sealed enclosures are more punchy, but can they be boomy?



Most people recommend Ported enclosures for Rap/Hip-Hop, however despite the genre of music, if a sealed enclosure has much more benefits of being accurate and if it’s true they play lower, wouldn’t they be the better choice if loudness is not priority? How big of a difference is the volume of the bass? How much more power would be needed?



What are good SQ “(SQL)” subs on a budget? I wanted to look into Rockford Fosgate, I know it would be higher quality than the Skars but I’m afraid of spending more money and just being disappointed if the difference is not much.



I’ll most likely think of more questions as responses come in, any help would be appreciated.

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[shredder1 10+ year member]

Id say enclosure 1st, not a prefab Skar box but something custom designed for your vehicle and music tastes.

Your bass is like 60-70% of the music (foundation) so it will be an upgrade without buying new gear. Materials cost nowadays unfortunately but you could DIY it if you can read a tape and are willing to do so for savings.

 

[shredder1 10+ year member]

Id say enclosure 1st, not a prefab Skar box but something custom designed for your vehicle and music tastes.

Your bass is like 60-70% of the music (foundation) so it will be an upgrade without buying new gear. Materials cost nowadays unfortunately but you could DIY it if you can read a tape and are willing to do so for savings.

Sdr-12s don't do too bad and like lower tuning in my experience. Your music just needs a custom enclosure on your current power for an upgrade. Want more lows huh?.. lol

Grab a design... it'll open your eyes after Skar prefab city.

I'm quoting myself now... haha.

Message me and I believe I can help. It's the holidays and all. I'll design something more for your music if you'd like

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

Some car audio shops have speakers and woofers set up in their shops. Look for one in your area and ask them if they have such a setup.

 

[Mitchell Fosgate III]

Well already there are few good books out on this topic. Vance Dickenson, Mark Rumreich, 1980s book, and 1990s. Subwoofer. Conceptually, the larger boxes with lower frequencies, take on a higher output sensitivity. Frequency response. And with that, louder sounds to it. Box volume, surface area. And higher output sensitivity to frequency response from the radio to the subwoofers. Which is better or louder then? Ported boxes are made for car designs that take you up to the limit to what the car can handle or limits of the car cargo or passenger area are. Box volume. So ported boxed is better suited to those music you are listening to. Louder. Rap/Hip-hop. I saw some pre-made boxes at Wal-mart. Those smaller sealed boxes are not bad if you just wanted one to sit on your passenger side seat and connected to the amplifier. It gets loud. But you'll need to get the correct frequencies to get the correct loudness.​

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

I saw some pre-made boxes at Wal-mart. Those smaller sealed boxes are not bad

Definitely can't be human if he's recommending a wally world box

 

[Old_Slapper]

I currently have 2 Skar SDR 10” powered on 1200watts in their ported box (loaded enclosure package). I’ve been pretty happy with the way they sound, how loud they get and how low they go. They literally flex my roof. However after about a year, recently I’ve been looking into upgrading to a setup that is higher quality. I know Skar is a budget brand and the SDR’s are the lowest grade, originally I wanted to move to the SVR series however I’m now considering more things. I have a lot of questions that would help me consider what to focus on next. I know I want dual 12”s, I want to be able to go as low as possible, be considerate of trunk space (2013 Lexus GS - Mid size trunk), be accurate and have good sound quality while being able to show off when I want. I know that’s a lot to ask for but I feel it’s possible. I’d still like to remain on a budget as well.



The biggest issue besides the “budget” is I’ve only ever heard my current subs, I’ve never sat in anyone else’s car with any other type of subs. I’m now exploring the difference between SQ and SPL subs, realizing that an SQ sub might be the way for me. I mainly spend most of my listening to Rap/Hip-Hop while occasionally switching it up. Quality would be most important to me due to the fact I daily drive the vehicle, but I don’t want to be disappointed when I turn the bass up.



Here’s my main questions.



Do sealed enclosures play lower or do ported enclosures play lower? I know sealed enclosures are more punchy, but can they be boomy?



Most people recommend Ported enclosures for Rap/Hip-Hop, however despite the genre of music, if a sealed enclosure has much more benefits of being accurate and if it’s true they play lower, wouldn’t they be the better choice if loudness is not priority? How big of a difference is the volume of the bass? How much more power would be needed?



What are good SQ “(SQL)” subs on a budget? I wanted to look into Rockford Fosgate, I know it would be higher quality than the Skars but I’m afraid of spending more money and just being disappointed if the difference is not much.



I’ll most likely think of more questions as responses come in, any help would be appreciated.

This all boils down to the one question that means the most: How much are you willing to spend? Also, a trunk mounted sub will hide the biggest differences in SQ, unless its playing through the rear deck or with the seat down.

 

[s.abushaikha]

I'm quoting myself now... haha.

Message me and I believe I can help. It's the holidays and all. I'll design something more for your music if you'd like

Thank you, I appreciate that, I’ll look into that when I get time.

 

[s.abushaikha]

I'm quoting myself now... haha.

Message me and I believe I can help. It's the holidays and all. I'll design something more for your music if you'd like

Thank you, I appreciate that, I'll look into it when I get time.

 

[s.abushaikha]

This all boils down to the one question that means the most: How much are you willing to spend? Also, a trunk mounted sub will hide the biggest differences in SQ, unless its playing through the rear deck or with the seat down.

Not sure yet, I think my loaded enclosure from skar with the amp and everything was like around $400, now its even cheaper. I was looking at just upgrading to these SVR 12's
https://www.skaraudio.com/products/svr-2x12d4-3200-watt-dual-12-inch-loaded-subwoofer-enclosure

I really like how the port is on the side which lets the length of the box be shorter, fitting into my trunk slightly better and further back than the dual 10"s do.

I heard that the difference in quality is way better from the SKAR SDR's to the SVR series. However I also really want these https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/p2-2x12/
The total weight is less, and I assume would be much more quality compared to the Skars. However it is more pricey and I would still have to purchase the amp as well. One thing I'm wondering is if these will still hit hard because they require a lot less power than expected...

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Not sure yet, I think my loaded enclosure from skar with the amp and everything was like around $400, now its even cheaper. I was looking at just upgrading to these SVR 12's
https://www.skaraudio.com/products/svr-2x12d4-3200-watt-dual-12-inch-loaded-subwoofer-enclosure

I really like how the port is on the side which lets the length of the box be shorter, fitting into my trunk slightly better and further back than the dual 10"s do.

I heard that the difference in quality is way better from the SKAR SDR's to the SVR series. However I also really want these https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/p2-2x12/
The total weight is less, and I assume would be much more quality compared to the Skars. However it is more pricey and I would still have to purchase the amp as well. One thing I'm wondering is if these will still hit hard because they require a lot less power than expected...

With subs and boxes...less weight isn't really a good thing (unless it's a birch box)

 

[s.abushaikha]

With subs and boxes...less weight isn't really a good thing (unless it's a birch box)

Thats what is weird to me, why is the more expensive setup require less power and weigh less...

 

[Old_Slapper]

Not sure yet, I think my loaded enclosure from skar with the amp and everything was like around $400, now its even cheaper. I was looking at just upgrading to these SVR 12's
https://www.skaraudio.com/products/svr-2x12d4-3200-watt-dual-12-inch-loaded-subwoofer-enclosure

I really like how the port is on the side which lets the length of the box be shorter, fitting into my trunk slightly better and further back than the dual 10"s do.

I heard that the difference in quality is way better from the SKAR SDR's to the SVR series. However I also really want these https://rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/p2-2x12/
The total weight is less, and I assume would be much more quality compared to the Skars. However it is more pricey and I would still have to purchase the amp as well. One thing I'm wondering is if these will still hit hard because they require a lot less power than expected...

Personally, I believe the Fosgate subs sound cleaner. I have also found that forward facing ports sound better, to me. The reason for the difference is weight is the subs. The Skars are heavier and handle twice the power as the Fosgates, 1600 watts vs 800 watts.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Thats what is weird to me, why is the more expensive setup require less power and weigh less...

Less weight typically means less power handling because of smaller motors on subs and or thin wood on the box...that's why I say less weight isn't really a good thing

You'd hear more of an upgrade getting a custom box built for subs versus different subs in a manufacturer prefab imo

 

[s.abushaikha]

Less weight typically means less power handling because of smaller motors on subs and or thin wood on the box...that's why I say less weight isn't really a good thing

You'd hear more of an upgrade getting a custom box built for subs versus different subs in a manufacturer prefab imo

Yeah I know the box makes a larger difference than the sub does, however the subs do make a difference as well. And I would just like to upgrade to two 12"s already and I don't want to stay on the lowest model of a budget brand.