Which to go with for Daily HDC3 or FI Q

[giants25al 10+ year member]

Hey guys this is my first post so i'm hoping to get some useful help. I no there's alot of very knowledgable people on here so please chime in with your thoughts. Here in a week or two I plan on putting a Sub and Amp in my 91 S10 Blazer using my good ole financial aid //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif. I have bigger plans for the future but for the time being I'm looking for a good setup for a daily driver without getting into batteries and HO alternators. I want a 15-18" AQ HDC3 running off a AQ1200d or a FI Q 15-18" running off the same Amp. From what i've been reading is that the FI Q would probalby be a little louder with that amp due to the fact the HDC3 would be a little underpowered. The reason i'm leaning towards the HDC3 is when I finish school I want to get a second sub and alot more power (upgraded eletrical stuff of course), and Im sure I could still use the HDC3. I'm thinking that eventually id have to upgrade the FI Q, and there's no point in doing that if I could keep the HDC3 and just buy one more HDC3 along with the bigger amps.

I have 2 questions. #1 i'm trying to make a buddy of mine a believer in online companies such as AA, AQ, Fi, etc etc. He just put a 12" JL7 on a 1000/1 Jl amp in a ported incloser in his Acura RSX. I want to show him that with half the money you can get great output with great quality products. If I go with the AQ HDC3 15-18" (undecided) on the AQ1200d in a proper incloser, in my Blazer will this do the trick?? or will I just be underpowering the AQ to much

#2. Will my stock eletrical system have any problem running this 1 amp for the time bein. I would think with just the 1200watt amp I should be fine. Maybe big 3and better underhood battery. Just don't want to get into the HO alternator quit yet untill I add another sub and bigger amps. What do you think?

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[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

Underpowered means nothing. 1200 watts to one sub or another is still 1200 watts. The only differnece in their output is thier rated efficency, and it's probably so close it's irrelevent. One will not be louder or quieter because it is underpowered. The HDC would get louder, if you gave it more power (than the Q can handle), but with the same power they will be about equal in power.

In general, the Q is built for sound quality, the HDC3 is built for sheer volume and ability to handle gross amounts of power.

You need to figure out what size alternator you have on the S10, but chances are 1200 watts is about as much as you can squeeze out of it without getting into HO alternators and extra batteries.

I suggest you get the FI Q. A larger driver will give you more "bang" from the same watts so if you can fit the 18", go for it. If you want SQ or simplicity build a sealed box. If you want more SPL, and can handle the increased complexity of the build, then build a ported/vented box.

Read how to wire up the Big3, use 0 guage wire for the Big3 and amp wire.

 

[97gp 5,000+ posts]

You should get a Q so that you can be like me //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[giants25al 10+ year member]

Underpowered means nothing. 1200 watts to one sub or another is still 1200 watts. The only differnece in their output is thier rated efficency, and it's probably so close it's irrelevent. One will not be louder or quieter because it is underpowered. The HDC would get louder, if you gave it more power (than the Q can handle), but with the same power they will be about equal in power.In general, the Q is built for sound quality, the HDC3 is built for sheer volume and ability to handle gross amounts of power.

You need to figure out what size alternator you have on the S10, but chances are 1200 watts is about as much as you can squeeze out of it without getting into HO alternators and extra batteries.

I suggest you get the FI Q. A larger driver will give you more "bang" from the same watts so if you can fit the 18", go for it. If you want SQ or simplicity build a sealed box. If you want more SPL, and can handle the increased complexity of the build, then build a ported/vented box.

Read how to wire up the Big3, use 0 guage wire for the Big3 and amp wire.

I'll do the big 3 no problem....I figured the 1200 watts on stock would be right at my limits. I'm pretty sure its a 95 amp Alt. The only reason why i was thinking the HDC3 is because in the future i'll upgrade my eletrical system and I felt the HDC3 would fit my future needs more so than the Q. i'm going ported for sure but will have someone else build it, me and wood don't get along at all haha. I'll definitly have to consider the Q though, just hard choice and that AQ HDC3 looks so tempting and beautiful

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

That amp is already well over you capacity. It will draw over 120 amps, your alternator can only recharge 95 amps, at full tilt and about half that at idle. Your battery will suffer the consequences and you will have battery failure often, if you pound near the amps capacity.

I suggest a good battery and a HO alternators ASAP.

 

[civicman07 10+ year member]

I got the AQ1200D ran to a 15" Fi Q and it sounds great, in my opinion its a really good combo.

 

[kovemaster559 5,000+ posts]

Q all the way unless you have good electrical and more power

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

Either should suit your needs, but to run that kind of power, I'd want to do it right the first time. Yeah, I know you want to show your friend up, but that shit means nothing when you are stuck on the side of the road with a dead batt/alt.

Believe me, it's hard laying down the prep work first. BUt when you are looking into powering subs like the ones you are looking into on the daily, you need to do it right. Start with the battery and wire/fuse/terminals for your big 3. That's like 150-250 right there. I have read nothing about your highs. Is all of that still stock? Work on that next. Then I would go substage last. I personally would get the bigger alt, but that's just me.

 

[kodak314 10+ year member]

That amp is already well over you capacity. It will draw over 120 amps, your alternator can only recharge 95 amps, at full tilt and about half that at idle. Your battery will suffer the consequences and you will have battery failure often, if you pound near the amps capacity.
I suggest a good battery and a HO alternators ASAP.

thats if he plans on only playin tones all day. he wont see that much playin music

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

I own both subs. Off 1200 I'd do the Q and 2k+ I'd do the HDC. SQ is VERY comparable on my installs and actually I think the HDC sounds cleaner as the Q seems a tad bottom heavy on some songs....

 

[JoeRa22 10+ year member]

Never heard the Q, but from what you plan on doing in the future i'd say get the AQ.

I've got a pair on the 2200D ( on my stock alt //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif ) in a box that's too small for the amount of power there getting and they sound great.

1200watts + a box on the bigger side tuned to the high 30's should do you right.

Also your stock alt should be fine w/ the 1200, if anything big 3 + upgraded batt would fix any problems you might have.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

id' go with the SEARCH button

it gets loud and low and has great sq. omgzors.