What type of subwoofer to choose

[droopeks]

Never owned a car with a custom sound system. Recently bought a car which has a prewired (working) amplifier Alpine mrp-mp350 700w in a trunk. It is wired to the stock audio head unit with a seperate switch to turn on/off. And a cable hanging for a subwoofer +/-. So Instead of taking it out, decided maybe buy a subwoofer but have no knowlege how powerful sub I can connect to it. Can somebody recommend something for the first time buyer/user?

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[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

How much space are you willing to give up for the subwoofer enclosure? What is the vehicle?

 

[droopeks]

How much space are you willing to give up for the subwoofer enclosure? What is the vehicle?

Hey, I was thinking just a single, already boxed 12" sub. I don't know/understand how good and powerful my amp is. Or if it is possible, maybe 15"? Does size matter in this case? My car is a vw passat b7 sedan/saloon.

 

[droopeks]

How much space are you willing to give up for the subwoofer enclosure? What is the vehicle?

I think something like this. Will my amp have enough power for this?

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

Your amp will power it, but not to the speaker's full potential. I personally will never used a sealed box again, because ported gives you double the output (according to my ear-meters). Again, suggestions depend on space available. A better enclosure is preferable to a better speaker.

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

If you want to use a slim box like the one you shared, I personally use this box:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335951755&icep_item=311553608820

and this sub:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335951755&icep_item=332006252450

and I am happy with them. I would like it louder, but that's all the resources I want to put into that vehicle's stereo.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Alpine Type S or Type R in a ported box.

 

[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

Alpine Type S or Type R in a ported box.

Why? Which have you ran?

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

Why? Which have you ran?

I've ran the Type R and it sounded great. I also just heard two Type S and they also sounded good.

 

[droopeks]

Alpine Type S or Type R in a ported box.

They both seem to be very powerful. The main question here was, to find something reasonable for my amp to be able to play it. I cheked some forums and I don't know of I understood it right, but looking at my amps specs I have to look for subwoofer with max rms at 350w 4ohms.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Yeah an Alpine type S or R would not be a good match at all.

I personally would do a Sundown LCS 12 in a ported box.

Not sure what you have available where you are though.

 

[Bobbytwonames 5,000+ posts]

They both seem to be very powerful. The main question here was, to find something reasonable for my amp to be able to play it. I cheked some forums and I don't know of I understood it right, but looking at my amps specs I have to look for subwoofer with max rms at 350w 4ohms.

Max 350 rms sub means that your amp should be around 700 rms. Just sayin.

 

[droopeks]

Max 350 rms sub means that your amp should be around 700 rms. Just sayin.

Please, explain. I don't understand anything about this. My amp is MRP-MP350 700w, can someone check the specs and tell me what to look at when I look for subwoofer. Max rms, ohms, max power? No need to name manufacturer, cause lot of the previous subs not available where I live.

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

Look for a subwoofer that is around 300 watts rms and a Dual 4 ohm.

 

[technobass 10+ year member]

Your amp 350rms @ 2ohms Arc Audio Arc 12d4 sealed Birch wood