Thinking about running a single 8" sub powered by ~150W RMS. Suggestions?

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

My situation: 2011 WRX hatchback. I carry a lot of kid stuff (strollers, toys), gym bag, groceries, etc. I was planning on an underseat box but could not get the airspace that I needed. Next was a shallow sub (preferrably an SQ10, which is on perpetual backorder) in a fiberglass spare tire enclosure, but the cost/time was too high for the return on investment, plus I was having trouble finding another shallow sub in my price range that I wanted to use in the spare.

Now I am considering a small enclosure (less than 0.4 cubes, if possible) with a single 8" sub that can be run by a 50x4 amp with 2 channels bridged to the sub. Front channels will power a set of CSX 265 components.

Budget: I'd like to keep it in the $100 range. Less is better, but looking around $100. This does NOT include the price of the box.

Box size: Around 0.4 cubic feet.

Power: Will see around 150-200W RMS

Listening: Rock/alternative. Does not need to be crazy loud. I am getting old and have young children, so I am not looking to shake the neighborhood.

Vehicle: 2011 WRX hatch

Other: If the driver is a shallow mount or can work in a depth of 3.5" it is a bonus, because then I can build a spare tire enclosure at my leisure and transfer the sub there when I complete the spare tire enclosure. By the way, I CAN be swayed to a single 10" as opposed to the 8" option.

I have been considering the ED e3.8, but I can't find reviews here through search.

I saw some other possible options browsing on here, but I want to see what suggestions I can gather on here.

Thanks in advance.

Edit:

 

Current Contenders:

ED e3.8

Alpine Type R

Sundown E8 v2

Polk MM840

Click to read more...

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

Sundown E8 v2, ID8 if you can still get them or the new type r 8 might be nice

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

Sundown E8 v2, ID8 if you can still get them or the new type r 8 might be nice

I keep seeing the reference to the Alpine, but most mass-market gear is looked at as being, well, for the masses. At least by the CA elite. I guess if they keep mentioning it, there is a (good) reason.

Also, this E8?

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/store/products/Sundown-Audio-E8v2.html

...and this ID8?

http://www.woofersetc.com/p-2643-id8-v3-d2-image-dynamics-8-id-v3-2-ohm-subwoofer.aspx

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

yep those are the ones. I've owned a couple of E8's and they're very nice ported, never tried one sealed. The Alpine looks really nice I've seen alot of good comments, even Jacob owner of Sundown said it looks like a well built good speaker. There is a thread over on DIYMA where the engineer from alpine answers questions about them and what not. The ID8's just have a great reputation of being great sounding subs... I've never seen anything bad about them really.

 

[Dirtrider4eva 10+ year member]

Audioque 8"

and RE audio 8"

both fit the bill

 

[basscort2009 5,000+ posts]

i have a brand new rockford fosgate he2 8" sub. never seen power. takes 500 rms. will sound just fine on 200 rms. ill take 100 shipped even for it. pm me if interested please

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

Audioque 8"and RE audio 8"

both fit the bill

I looked at the RE 8 but it cannot be configured to a single 4-ohm load. With me bridging 2 channels, the 4 ohm DVC configuration leaves me at 1 orm or 4. Amp can't handle 1 and won't be maximized at 4.

I'll look into the other one. Thanks!

 

[xmakeafistx 10+ year member]

I would probably go with the ID8, they are known for good sound quality woofers. Although my opinion is very biased.. I've only heard these once and they sounded pretty clean. I have never owned one.

Otherwise i'd probably go with the alpine.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

i got a bnib re8 and will let it go cheap. i see ur looking for a 2ohm load a dvc4 wires to 2ohm or 8ohm! pm me if interested...

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

i got a bnib re8 and will let it go cheap. i see ur looking for a 2ohm load a dvc4 wires to 2ohm or 8ohm! pm me if interested...

I am looking for a 4 ohm load so that the amp "sees" 2 ohms (once bridged).

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

I would probably go with the ID8, they are known for good sound quality woofers. Although my opinion is very biased.. I've only heard these once and they sounded pretty clean. I have never owned one.
Otherwise i'd probably go with the alpine.

My last ID sub (an ID10) was good. not great- good.

I expected to be blown away after all that I had read, btu I was underwhelmed with it in the trunk of my SpecV and seeing about 150-200W RMS. It may have been other factors, but I just was not wowed.

Perhaps in the hatch I will feel differently.

I actually plan to try to see if I can get my local B&M shop to match or get close to online prices for the TypeR. If so, that will be an easy choice since I can get it locally and can just pay cash.

 

[SPLaudio 5,000+ posts]

ohhh gzz why you refer it like that.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif my amp dosent see anything ...

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

ohhh gzz why you refer it like that.
//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif my amp dosent see anything ...

Neither does mine...hence why I put the word in quotes...

 

[dirtbagz89 10+ year member]

I've had a 12" Type R for the past 3 years and I have no complaints. I listen to metal and rock 95% of the time. I could listen to Godspeed Hellbound by Black Label Society all day in that car...

 

[IonRL205 10+ year member]

I looked at the RE 8 but it cannot be configured to a single 4-ohm load. With me bridging 2 channels, the 4 ohm DVC configuration leaves me at 1 orm or 4. Amp can't handle 1 and won't be maximized at 4.
I'll look into the other one. Thanks!

Uhh what? A single DVC 4 ohm sub can be wired to 2 ohms or 8 ohms. Most amps bridged put out their power at 4 ohms. You need either a SVC 4 ohm sub or a DVC 2 ohm sub for a final 4 ohm load.