Thoughts on American Bass XR 12" Better options?

[s.abushaikha]

Recently I've been looking to upgrade from my dual 10" Skar SDR's. Knowing what I know now I feel the need to upgrade. I really am set on 12" subs. However trying to decide whether I can get away with building a proper custom enclousre for a single American Bass XR 12" and notice big enough difference that will keep my happy or will I be able to go with dual 12" XR's. The area in my trunk I want to use max lets me be 33" wide, around 15" tall, and however deep I want to go. Although I like the look of the subs being further back in the trunk, currently my dual 10"s dont fit back in the slot of my trunk as the box is 36" wide. However after using box builder free programs online, it appears its possible but it would take up a lot of space.

Basically what I'm wondering:
- What are yall thoughts on the American Bass XR 12" (I'm looking for something with better overall sound quality than the Skars, I know AB isnt a SQ brand but with the right box I don't see how it would sound worse)
- The subs are rated at 1200watt RMS each. If I have 2 would I be ok running 2000watts? I have a 2013 Lexus GS, alternator and battery is stock, would those be able to handle it along with 4 gauge wiring or would I need to upgrade to 0 gauge?
- What would be better, a single 12" in the proper ported enclosure, or two 12"s in a slightly smaller ported enclosure with slightly less watts than RMS ratted (200 watts less per sub) (What would be better than what I already have?)

(MBE Enclosures on youtube told me that I will be happier and notice a much better difference, however American Bass is not good for quality.) Keep in mind I am on a budget. Id like to stay under $200 per sub.

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[shredder1 10+ year member]

Try some Sa-12 classics and get an enclosure design. Op seems to want to resurrect threads and seemingly take advice but there's always a yeah but what about this brand next. Communist bass where the people's ride is built online. Learning is one thing but building and testing is another and I'm a DIY guy.
Nuthugger suggestions and sealed box cultists can chime in... I expect flak.

2 Sa-12 classics enclosed for your car, tuned to accommodate your music should be within your budget and fairly low powered necessitating minimal electrical upgrades.

Lexus with a skipass?.. I'd go with a 4th, probably a pair of 10's and enjoy myself... but what do I know?

 

[CertifiedHoodClassic]

MBE enclosures loves huge boxes with absurd port areas. You can definitely get away with less volume than he recommends, even though I agree with his general sentiment (most boxes are too small), he pushes it too much in the other direction imo. As far as brands, there's nothing wrong with american bass. I've seen/heard a few of their products and they're great.

shredder recommended the sa-12. it's a good budget sub that a lot of people have bought so you can just google enclosure designs. it's a good recommendation.

 

[s.abushaikha]

Try some Sa-12 classics and get an enclosure design. Op seems to want to resurrect threads and seemingly take advice but there's always a yeah but what about this brand next. Communist bass where the people's ride is built online. Learning is one thing but building and testing is another and I'm a DIY guy.
Nuthugger suggestions and sealed box cultists can chime in... I expect flak.

2 Sa-12 classics enclosed for your car, tuned to accommodate your music should be within your budget and fairly low powered necessitating minimal electrical upgrades.

Lexus with a skipass?.. I'd go with a 4th, probably a pair of 10's and enjoy myself... but what do I know?

No one is doubting your knowledge, I was looking forward to chatting with you, however, it always seems like people with more experience get sick of answering rookie questions. We all are just trying to learn.

 

[s.abushaikha]

MBE enclosures loves huge boxes with absurd port areas. You can definitely get away with less volume than he recommends, even though I agree with his general sentiment (most boxes are too small), he pushes it too much in the other direction imo. As far as brands, there's nothing wrong with american bass. I've seen/heard a few of their products and they're great.

shredder recommended the sa-12. it's a good budget sub that a lot of people have bought so you can just google enclosure designs. it's a good recommendation.

I was looking at a lot of single 12 boxes that aren't horns but are just ported. They look almost as big as a prefab for two 12s, but I guess accommodating for the port are and displacement of the sub it adds up.

 

[s.abushaikha]

Honestly I'm beginning to wonder about staying with Skar but getting 2 SVR Series, a lot of people appear to be pleased with their sound quality and how low they get. There always seems to be hatred toward skar however, but I see a similar amount of people saying that the sound quality from American Bass is bad. (MBE said that for what American Bass is, the XR was the better sounding one he heard) now Im wondering how it compares to the SVR Skars

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

If sql-12's are in your budget I'd highly recommend those.

 

[AnthonyO 10+ year member]

There are too many good options to actually recommend one.

I myself love a good budget sub. Thats just me. I love seeing people in the lanes with low budget setups putting up good numbers.

So with that said

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[fa5chups]

Recently I've been looking to upgrade from my dual 10" Skar SDR's. Knowing what I know now I feel the need to upgrade. I really am set on 12" subs. However trying to decide whether I can get away with building a proper custom enclousre for a single American Bass XR 12" and notice big enough difference that will keep my happy or will I be able to go with dual 12" XR's. The area in my trunk I want to use max lets me be 33" wide, around 15" tall, and however deep I want to go. Although I like the look of the subs being further back in the trunk, currently my dual 10"s dont fit back in the slot of my trunk as the box is 36" wide. However after using box builder free programs online, it appears its possible but it would take up a lot of space.

Basically what I'm wondering:
- What are yall thoughts on the American Bass XR 12" (I'm looking for something with better overall sound quality than the Skars, I know AB isnt a SQ brand but with the right box I don't see how it would sound worse)
- The subs are rated at 1200watt RMS each. If I have 2 would I be ok running 2000watts? I have a 2013 Lexus GS, alternator and battery is stock, would those be able to handle it along with 4 gauge wiring or would I need to upgrade to 0 gauge?
- What would be better, a single 12" in the proper ported enclosure, or two 12"s in a slightly smaller ported enclosure with slightly less watts than RMS ratted (200 watts less per sub) (What would be better than what I already have?)

(MBE Enclosures on youtube told me that I will be happier and notice a much better difference, however American Bass is not good for quality.) Keep in mind I am on a budget. Id like to stay under $200 per sub.

im no expert at all js 2 cents
1. XR should do fine i mean personally id go sundown 'classic' 12" but your correct if your box is well designed it will make them sound much better than the sdrs (i hav 2 of'em too). Looking for sq a sealed box would be more accurate and with upgrading to the better XRs (more xmax and cone area) you will be moving alot more air
2.yes a 2k amp will do fine with those subs (but closer to rms the better), on stock electrical no. Gonna need a ho alt or 2nd battery. 4 guage no, your right go 0 g.
3. 1 15 big enclosure for sq (def need some midbass though) 2 12 got more displacement, just whatever you do build the box to get the most air volume within manufacturer specs you can!!!! this will make the subs sound best

ID say if the box is gonna be to small either figure out how make it bigger or go with a diff route

 

[fa5chups]

If sql-12's are in your budget I'd highly recommend those.

im going stereo integrity what you think ofem

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

im going stereo integrity what you think ofem

I've got the sql-15's and absolutely love them. They get loud and sound great. I had them in my old saturn on a smart3 and felt like the could take more

 

[fa5chups]

I've got the sql-15's and absolutely love them. They get loud and sound great. I had them in my old saturn on a smart3 and felt like the could take more

worddd good to know lmao thanks

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

worddd good to know lmao thanks

Mine were sealed and I could make the roof look like it was breathing but I've seen videos of a pair of sql-12's ported flexing a Honda on 3k

 

[fa5chups]

Mine were sealed and I could make the roof look like it was breathing but I've seen videos of a pair of sql-12's ported flexing a Honda on 3k

Jeeez bro ok I’ll keep that in mind lmao I’m going sealed as well, check out the plan for the future if u have a minute I’d like to hear ur input

 

[s.abushaikha]

I'm really in between sealed and ported more and more as we discuss, I don't see any complaints about sealed. But so many people rec. ported. I could care less about numbers