synthetic

Ok so, I'm completely new to all this. I just installed alpine spr17c's in the back and have 17s's(components) on order for the front. It's an 04 acura rsx(non type s).
I'm actually seriously debating drilling a couple extra holes and putting components in the back as well. I haven't been too impressed with the full range speakers.
As of now I have no amp.
I was looking at purchasing a power accoustics amp to run at 50% power to supply the full 50-60 watts these speakers will require.
Now I listened to amplified full range speakers and I was not impressed.
Should I be looking into subs?
My question is, what would be a good 10" sub that I could fit in a conservative closed box? I was looking at sony xplodes and pioneer as of currently. I was interested in the pioneer shallow mounts until I realized they require the same amount of box space as any other sub.
I'm looking for a clear sound that stays in the car mostly. I listen to rock and alternative majority with some rap occationally.
Ok so thats it. I don't seem to have enough knowledge to really take advantage of this forumn yet, so this is my starter threat. Comment and critisize on all you like.
also, If I purchase a 2 and 4 ohm amp could i run the 4 ohm to the speakers and the 2 ohm to compatible subs? benefits? Does the head unit need to support this? Special power block?
Alright cut this threat up people, educate me!
thanks!
PS I do not think I need to hit 130db. probably 110 would be suffice for my listening needs.
another note. I'm a full time physicist student with as much money as you can expect a full time student to have.

godzilla1978

Ahhh where to start! What is it that the alpines are lacking? They most like don't sound good because they are not amplified. They may also not be correctly hooked up for example if they are out of phase.(one of the +,- wires is crossed) they will sound like complete crap.As for components in the rear I think that most will agree that it is over kill. The rear speakers are generally there for filler and don't really contribute to sound quailty. Ive seen many SQ cars with no rear speakers at all. If you were looking for a sub stay as far away as you can from the sony.Theyre called explodes for a reason. The pioneer shallow mount is acutally a really nice sub for a shallow, however these subs are more ment for trucks were space is a premium. Besides I think they only require .6 cu ft which is extremly small. My box is almost 5 times larger is the same sized car. You could do what you said with the amp but it would require a four channel amp a deck with enough pre outs, and a sub with very little power requirement. As for the 110dB to 130dB difference in volume that's a huge difference every 10dB is twice as loud! so 130 dB is four times louder and 130 isn't very loud at all.

synthetic

I'm pretty sure my wiring is correct. I spent quite a bit of time deciding which way was correct. They do not sound like crap, just lack an amount of bass I was expecting. And the smaller the box the better for me. I do not want a whole lot of box in my car. I just want to set up corner boxes as small as possible. I guess I shoule lay the boxes so they face the glass. I have yet to play with this as I haven't bought subs yet. As far as the components in the back, it seems I could put components in the back for the same price as I have full range. Why not? I was thinking about putting polk db6501 in the back and keeping the alpine SPR-17s in the front.
From what I've read on subs, they seem to require the same enclosed box space as the shallow mounts do. The reason your box is so large is most likely because it is vented correct?
I didn't understand why you suggested I had very low power subs?

godzilla1978

my encloser is vented. it's one of those things if you want bass you have to give up space. I'm not sure about the enclosure requirements between the regular pioneers and the shallow mounts. The last time I checked the shallow's wanted .6 cu ft and the regular ones wanted about 1-1.2 cu ft. If you wanted to run subs and mids off a 4 channel amplifier you would either need a very powerful 4 channel amp or very efficient subs on a regular one(50-100 rms @2-4 ohms)As for the rear speakers you really don't have to put anything special because the rear is filler, so generally the cost of components could be better spent on amps or better subs or both.

synthetic

you're right I must have miss-read somewhere. The enclosures are smaller for the shallow mounts.
Also by the amps I ment 2 different amps. one about an 800rms 4 way and another the same. run them both at about 50%
I think I may need a capacitor to prevent strain on the battery and alternator with this much amplification.
and again the cost of components is the same as full range. Thats why I'm contemplating it. If it were a larger investment I might not.

synthetic

also I noticed amps need to be tuned to frequencies? I'm not familiar with this process. Is this something the manual will mention?

godzilla1978

are you trying to run one for each sub? If there both 4 channel amplifiers it will not do what you want. You will need one mono block amp as they make more power and run more efficiently. As for a cap it does not prevent strain on the battery and alternator it is simply a storage device that has a quick release of power.If you want less strain you will need a larger alternator(more amperage) or less amplification. However your not talking about that much to begin with you should be ok with the stock stuff. The boxes them selves are tuned to a frequency not the amplifier.

synthetic

boxes are tuned to a frequency? I do not understand that statement.
As for the amps. I ment a 4 way for the speakers and a 2 way for the subs, if I do two subs.
I was told to amplify my alpines slightly past their rms power rating, say 75w each opposed to 50-55. Is this in agreement with most other philosophies?