Subwoofer Amp UPGRADE Advice really needed.

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

this is still going on, I used to be a kicker fanatic I have run them all, cvx, cvr cvt l5 and L7, these subs are blown away by Skar VVX line and im running the BRZ1700.1d. I had a kid the other day that was running 2 15" CVR and when he heard the Skar, he was very amazed.
Another good sub is PSI, i have a friend who did a 148db on 2 12" psi platfform 1 with a 2k amp from crescendo

Which would you say is better PSI or your Skar VVX. And also how long may I ask have you been into car audio. For me really it's only been about a year and a half.

Kickers are good, but when I decided to upgrade from the Cvr's it's likely I will not choose the NEXT step up in kicker the Cvx. I'm learning it is not nessecarilly all about the subs, but the entirety of the system. The amp being used, the box, the battery, down to the cables. Heard good things about Skar, do the ones you bought come with a warranty.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Which would you say is better PSI or your Skar VVX. And also how long may I ask have you been into car audio. For me really it's only been about a year and a half.Kickers are good, but when I decided to upgrade from the Cvr's it's likely I will not choose the NEXT step up in kicker the Cvx. I'm learning it is not nessecarilly all about the subs, but the entirety of the system. The amp being used, the box, the battery, down to the cables. Heard good things about Skar, do the ones you bought come with a warranty.

i think i like PSI, you don't need warranty, if you go to smd forum for Skar i have a thread started how much people are powering these 600watts VVX and the lowest power is 850watts and highest is 2500watts (which im skeptical) I think it will take up to 1300-1400, but 1k easily.

I'm 42 and i have been in car stereo since the 80's when an equalizer with a goose neck and a car phone was just so awesome

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

A tip on the extra battery find a shop that rebuilds them, here in Tampa we have Square deal where i got my battery for $26, if your going over 1000k watts on sub and mids and highs amp its best to get a 2nd battery, i didnt do the big 3 upgrade, the battery people said not cost effective.

look always at RMS and best to get a d class for your sub and a/b class for your mids and highs

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

i think i like PSI, you don't need warranty, if you go to smd forum for Skar i have a thread started how much people are powering these 600watts VVX and the lowest power is 850watts and highest is 2500watts (which im skeptical) I think it will take up to 1300-1400, but 1k easily.
I'm 42 and i have been in car stereo since the 80's when an equalizer with a goose neck and a car phone was just so awesome

Thanks for your input. Going to get to the bottom of what's best in specific price brackets while upgrading my system. Definitely taking notes.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Here's a price list i compiled when looking for 15's if you are looking for 12's then it will be a little lower but you can tell which is the most expensive and which one is the least expensive brand wise

600w IA Injection 3" VC $209.00 ship $33.55 = $242.55

600w sundown new $235

600w Skar new $235

750w PSI 15 3" VC 205 ship 27.95 = 232.95

1000w American Bass XFL 3" VC $200

600w OBSIDIAN AUDIO $158 + $27.97 SHIP = $185.97

600w sundown b stock $170 +$15 ship = $185

600w AQ SDC2.515 $159 ship 25.24 = $184.24

600w Skar B stock $170

600W DC Level 2 $175.00

600w FLXX $165

800w American Bass TNT 3" VC $149.99

500w American Bass XO 2.5" VC $89.95

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

from what i heard American Bass does not go as low as the PSI and Skar, but the PSI is a 3" coil, there's also a new line of Subs if you want to be different FLXX audio

 

[Stratous 10+ year member]

I have been running 4 Skar VVX-12's on a BC3500 for over a year now with no problems. Thats about 1000 watts per sub. I believe the BC3500 makes about 3900 watts on 12 volts. Skar audio sells good products as far as I can tell. The VVX sub gets loud, low and still maintains a great sound..IMO Good luck with your sub hunting.

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

@quackhead.Could I ask what you think of these speakers for the way my current install is headed(thought id better ask before you forget). The RMS is high, the speakers look Ok, soundstream is a good brand. I guess the only thing throws me of a little is the price. I was willing to pay up to a $100.00 a pair. Any other reasons why I should not get these over the Diamond (D363i's) I have now. Thanks a mil.

Soundstream RBT.653 6-1/2" Rubicon Series 3-way Car Speakers

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

[quote name='Jaguar'] @quackhead.Could I ask what you think of these speakers for the way my current install is headed(thought id better ask before you forget). The RMS is high, the speakers look Ok, soundstream is a good brand. I guess the only thing throws me of a little is the price. I was willing to pay up to a $100.00 a pair. Any other reasons why I should not get these over the Diamond (D363i's) I have now. Thanks a mil.

Soundstream RBT.653 6-1/2" Rubicon Series 3-way Car Speakers[/QUOTE]

I would not waste the money on such a sideways bet.
I found these ( I believe they are discontinued)..This set would be an excellent upgrade:
WoofersEtc.com - i-5.2 - Zapco 5.25" I-Force Component Speakers

This would be my first suggestion on another coaxial design speaker:
WoofersEtc.com - CL-6EX - CDT Audio 6.5" Coaxial Speakers

The Diamond 6.5 you have now is a very decent speaker. Have you looked into upgrading your factory mounting locations? The sound dampening treatment is recommended regardless of aftermarket driver choice. As was posted on another thread recently, the most expensive aftermarket drivers in the world will sound like crap in the wrong environment.....more power = louder crap. The Zapco's mentioned here would be awesome, but would require not only sound dampening, but probably custom made mounting hardware such as carpeted /vinyl covered wood or better, a lacquered hardwood spacer (or even fiberglass)for the midbasses with custom tweeter mounts. By the way the advantage of using separate Mid and Tweeters is to be able to relocate and direct the tweeter for the best possible sound. At your feet in a car is about the most undesired place for a tweeter anyways due to the inherent off-axis placement. High frequencies are extremely directional and require special attention if you are serious about your sound.

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

an example of a baffle used behind the speakers in car doors to help with midbass extension and driver protection, I think there are different makers and materials used, but highly recommended

WoofersEtc.com - SPP-514-DSF - A.I. Bass Boomer 5.25" / 6.5" Speaker Baffles

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

[quote name='quackhead']I would not waste the money on such a sideways bet.
This would be my first suggestion on another coaxial design speaker:
WoofersEtc.com - CL-6EX - CDT Audio 6.5" Coaxial Speakers[/QUOTE]
@quackhead, thanks a lot I mean it. You trip me out (sideways bet). Well, really I have no idea how those soundstream speakers sound, I saw EXO backing those, but to tell you the truth-- I also see those same speakers on "eBay" for about $30.00 a set. Something is wrong with that picture. I don't care how cool they look, at this point I make a point to head more and more towards quality. I got to tell you I really digging on the CDT audios you suggested. The reason I am not going to go component this time is to avoid having to pay for custom tweeter installation and component setup(speaker installation as well). I'm going to stick under 2 or 3 way coaxials. I realize components systems separative factors sound quality sounds better, but alas that is the reason for trying to get some hq coaxials. As for the speaker baffles, wow I learn something new everyday here. I'll have to research those. Ultimately I do plan on sound proofing my subwoofers. When I get really bored, I'll do the doors, right now they are not a priority. Thanks again.

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

The Diamond 6.5 you have now is a very decent speaker.

Your right about the Diamonds. Actually the Diamonds are reaching the full range of sound without distortion (at peak volumes %85-90+)because of the adjustments on the low / mid / highs. I used to think if I had them (low / mid / highs)up it improved the system in general, but in some cases it's best to have them set -1 to -0 to 3+ which is what I have them around now. This way, when you turn it up there is an even field of bass and sound which compliment eachother, not lot's of bass and audio coming from the speakers drowned out by bass or distortion for that matter.

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

Your right about the Diamonds. Actually the Diamonds are reaching the full range of sound without distortion (at peak volumes %85-90+)because of the adjustments on the low / mid / highs. I used to think if I had them (low / mid / highs)up it improved the system in general, but in some cases it's best to have them set -1 to -0 to 3+ which is what I have them around now. This way, when you turn it up there is an even field of bass and sound which compliment eachother, not lot's of bass and audio coming from the speakers drowned out by bass or distortion for that matter.

when you can power them with a clean 50 -75 watts per channel A/B amp, you will really hear definition and clarity in the Diamonds. .keep an eye out for a Quality 100w per ch Class A/B 4ch amplifier...100+ db S/N and .03 or less THD at rated power for this.

 

[Jaguar 10+ year member]

@quackhead. At this point I'm leaning heavily towards taking these Kicker Cvr's back and getting 2 Sundown Audio 12" 400W Dual 4-Ohm E-12 D4. Can you recommend an amplifier for these with my current coaxial speakers. I think I might get an MB Quart. Have to put some more research into it later. If anyone has a suggestion for a proper amp for 2 12" Sundown E12 D4 (E Series, not S12's) let me know. Links appreciated.

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

[quote name='Jaguar']@quackhead. At this point I'm leaning heavily towards taking these Kicker Cvr's back and getting 2 Sundown Audio 12" 400W Dual 4-Ohm E-12 D4. Can you recommend an amplifier for these with my current coaxial speakers. I think I might get an MB Quart. Have to put some more research into it later. If anyone has a suggestion for a proper amp for 2 12" Sundown E12 D4 (E Series, not S12's) let me know. Links appreciated.[/QUOTE]
As mentioned earlier, I used the AQ 2200D for a very long time without a problem.
AQ1200D Amplifier

Take a look at these before you buy..they carry good reviews around here.
Street Duty SDC2.5-12-D4 Subwoofer

Call them up and ask for the owner, a guy named DJ...he is good people.

...as for the amp on the highs, that Precision Power i mentioned a few pages back would be perfect.