What upgrades are needed?

[Cbglasscock]

I have a 2010 camaro that came with the boston acoustics 9 speaker system. I recently got two jl w3 subs in a ported box that has 1.22 cu ft per sub. I am using a powerful amp (hifonics brx1600.1d) that puts out about 1200 watts rms x1. This amp was an upgrade from my last lanzar VCT 2010 amplifier that gave around 35 watts rms x2 (yes I know it was junk). I took the new amplifier to be installed by my local car audio shop, but when I tested it out, it wasn't nearly as loud as my old junk amplifier. Bass boost was off on both, so idk why it isn't louder than my old one. I could barely even hear the bass, which is ridiculous considering its so much more powerful. What would make them be so quiet, do I need a new HU, electrical system upgrade, or what.? *My amplifier has 4 GA wire and I'm pretty sure it's wired to 2 ohms.

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[Cbglasscock]

Could they be out of phase somehow or is the amp not being powered or what?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Need more info. Box. What brand wires etc ....

 

[Cbglasscock]

This is the box:

Car Audio Subwoofer Dual 10" Vented Sub Box Enclosure - 210VH

It was the only one I could fit that had the specified air space needed for the jl w3 subs. I also have a sealed box specially built to fit the camaro, also with the needed airspace for the sub.

Wiring:

I let the guys at the shop put the wires in and everything, but he said it was 4 GA ground wire and I think they used 10 awg speaker wire.

They also used RCA cables running along the top area of my trunk

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Box could be one issue. Get a custom built one. Need to check the wiring for brand I suspect it may be no so good Not sure on knowledgable you are with car audio. So you may wanna try to see if there is someone on the forum here that local who may be able to help you do some diagnosing on your system

 

[Cbglasscock]

Do u know what could have possibly caused them to be quieter though, because that's what I really want to know? I know it should be a lot louder because i multiplied my power output by more than 10, and it's a better quality amplifier. I know something is wrong, just not what.

 

[Slobalt]

could be so many things, how its wired, tuned, etc

did anything else change since the new amp?

 

[shauncox26]

were is Hoover located man. i may be able to help. if not i know there r several people in Alabama on here.

 

[Cbglasscock]

Nothing has changed, I got the new amp and had the audio shop do whatever they did when they installed it. But I want to run around 1000 watts rms total. I have a boston 9 speaker system that's like 245 watts. Do I need a line driver or something to help? Could the low power stock system not be able to send a powerful enough signal to the amplifier? And Hoover is by birmingham.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

The gains on the loc my need to be turned up I suspect

 

[Cbglasscock]

Could the headunit not be supplying enough power to the amp because I'm using a stock HU but have an amp running at 1200 watts rms?

 

[akillj 10+ year member]

Could the headunit not be supplying enough power to the amp because I'm using a stock HU but have an amp running at 1200 watts rms?

Subs could be out of phase, play the system, make sure their movement is in-sync with eachother. LOC (Low Output Converter) gain could be set too low. Pre-fab boxes are usually built too small, tuned too high, and don't have much port area. This almost always leads in very peaky output in 50-60hz region and quick drop offs below that. Going from a prefab to a custom built enclosure (Built for your subs / car setup) is a night and day difference imo. But since you say you can "barely hear it" I suspect something else is to blame. Start from the source (Headunit) and work your way back. Make sure your headunit is sending a good signal to whatever speaker the LOC is getting its signal from(Meaning that the 'bass' is not on -12 or something for that speaker), check the LOC gains (If it has any), check amp gains ect.