Upgrading my system and I Need Suggestions

[plantinseeds]

I agree that neither of those amps are anything special, but the HiFonics amp completely stunk in my opinion.I'm trying to figure out if going ported is a good option for me as well... I know sealed is for higher sound quality... I want to go ported and I'm willing to sacrifice some sound quality but Id prefer for it not to sound sloppy in my trunk.

I have a Hifonics Brutus 1700 powering my SA12's and I am completely satisfied with it, perhaps you didn't set your amp gains the same way? IDK

 

[CAT MAN 5,000+ posts]

those brz are sketchy/ buddy of mine runs a 1700 on 3 type r 12s in a blowthorugh and im just as loud on a db drive 2k from a trunk with the seat up. we both meter door open.

 

[plantinseeds]

those brz are sketchy/ buddy of mine runs a 1700 on 3 type r 12s in a blowthorugh and im just as loud on a db drive 2k from a trunk with the seat up. we both meter door open.

Meh, sounds great to me... only have a couple other amps to compare to though, and never heard any other SA12's besides mine haha

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

Hated my Hifonics BRZ //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[CAT MAN 5,000+ posts]

Meh, sounds great to me... only have a couple other amps to compare to though, and never heard any other SA12's besides mine haha

his souinds louder but aint. i think they clip easy or something.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

all he newer hifonics amps from 06 and up are garbage.ever since maxxsonics took over

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

This is my current set-up:
Current System:

Car: 2000 Chrysler Cirrus (Trunk Space is Limited, willing to remove my back seat though)

Head Unit: Kenwood eXcelon KDC- X395

Sub Woofers: 2 Kicker CVR 12"s in a 1.2 cubic foot per chamber sealed box

Amplifier(s): Hifonics 1700.1d running at 2 ohms, Lanzar htg447 (4 channel for speakers)

Speakers: Kicker KS Series: 6-1/2s in doors, 6x9s in rear deck

Equalizer: Kenwood 5 Band Graphic Equalizer

Capacitor: Absolute 4.5 Farad cap

1 Extra Battery

Kicker wiring all around some 4 AWG for the 4 channel, 1/0 AWG for my Mono amp.

Things Id Like to do with my upgrade:

1. Go to a ported box but I have a bad feeling my cars trunk may prevent me from this.

2. Go with some higher end subwoofers... I know Kicker definently isn't the all be all in subwoofers or anything car audio for that matter. But they were affordable when I put my first system together. I want more RMS wattage definently.

3. A better amplifier...

-initially had a Kenwood KAC- 9105D and it matched up with my 2 CVRs and together for just 900RMS they sounded great. My window seal got broken via all the vibrations and my Kenwood amp got wet and never recovered (ive fixed the seals) then saved up and bought the HiFonics Brutus 1700.1 D, but I'm extremely dissapointed in it. My Kickers dont hit the same notes on it as it did the kenwood, and everyone I know agrees its not as loud and doesnt have anywhere near the same sound pressure. Yet it is rated for more RMS. So after 2 months of using it... I sent the HiFonics back to Sonic Electronix... They gave me my 258 dollars on store credit... And I'm looking to throw 400 bucks on top of the 258 I have on store credit there to pick out my next amplifier.

-The amplifier needs to be from Sonic Electronix since that's where my store credit is...

Amplfier price range: 250-650 bucks

Subwoofer Price Range: 250-500 bucks (for a pair)

I'm really looking into getting the MTX Thunder Elite 1501D for 452 bucks (they accepted my offer of that price) and possibly matching that amp with 2 12" Audioque Street Duty 2.5s...

I'm open to any suggestions...

1ST - DUMP the CAP!..they are a waste and potential disaster waiting to happen...

I would recommend a 1 quality 12" or 15" (if possible) D4 sub in it's proper ported box, wired to 2 ohms on a clean, solid 1500 watts.

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

sounds like u need an Atomic bomb on 2 Radioactive 12's for that price range

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

..or a radioactive 15SPL

 

[Eddie_24 10+ year member]

I'm still intent on going with 2 12"s though, I'm under the impression that more cone area is good if you want to move some air. I'm not just wanting to be ridiculously loud, I want it to sound as clean as possible at the same time. I know some subs are made for pure SPL and that's not what I want. I don't want a loud fart machine, I've heard good things about Audioque being the best bang for your buck right now, that's why I was interested in them. I've also looked at some DC Audio and some Fi audio sub woofers as well... I have no experience with any brands sub woofer wise besides Kicker, so can someone with hands on experience tell me what would be my best bet... Whats a combo of subs I could buy that will be LOUD, yet still have good sound quality? In the 250-500 dollar price range for both subs.


@Platinseeds... I had my Hifonics sensitivity(gain) turned a little over half way up, I didn't use the bass knob, it was the same gain level I had my kenwood on... I just didn't like it, could I been something I didn't have tuned correctly, i dont know. Alls I know is this... The Kenwood matched with those Kickers vibrated my entire car and made my rearview mirror drop to where alls I seen was the console (good sound pressure), and papers would fly around if you set them on my front dash when the music was up. I bought the Hifonics Brz when my Kenwood got wet, thinking that I would be returning with an even louder system but it wasn't as loud...
I have high bass standards I guess, I've spent more in the stereo system than I have my car.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

i still stand by my set up i recommended

 

[Eddie_24 10+ year member]

So those American Bass subs get LOUD but have good sound quality?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

yes they do,but most of your sq will depend on the box

 

[CAT MAN 5,000+ posts]

mine are loud //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Eddie_24 10+ year member]

Alright, well im trying to figure out if I can get 2 12"s in a correct ported box in my trunk. That's my issue. I don't want to buy a pre-fab box because they most certainly won't fit, I need a box made for my specific trunk perhaps?