wavdj

Hi..
Since it looks like my old amplifier is over, ill change for a new system...

I was wondering what to look at for a new amp-sub... for around 400-500wrms
I was thinking about a JL Audio or Infinity Kappa subwoofer, and alpine amp... I don't really know other brand...I heard about Eclipse and Diamond ? and Premier (Pioneer)?
What should i look for a good SQ amp-sub(ooly one sub) ? Dual or single voice(Whats the difference anyway?)
Also, i was wondering if I should take a 10" or 12"... I listen mostly Techno (Trance,house,hard tech) but also hiphop and rock... 10" will be faster than 12", but 12" will sound better, right ?

Anyway, i'm waiting for your advice thanks !!!
(I Have an alpine unit 9853, but i don't care if i can or cannot control my amp with my unit)

Seannk

I have always known Infinity to be a good setup for SQ thats why when I changed my systems I went with all Infinity. As for the type of music you listen too I pretty much listen to the same stuff and found that 12's got to be too much after a while, so I got 10's this time around

zinger002

iTrader: (1)

for best sq look for an amp with minimal thd.. and a dvc sub will kick a bit more but keep sq... a 12 is perfect for an sq system. depending on the 12 it will be a little less punch then 2 10's though.

wavdj

Whats an amp with minimal "thd" ?? and a "dvc" sub ??
and i'm looking for only 1 sub...
And what do you people think of JL Audio for a sub? is it better than infinity perfect?

RScooby

iTrader: (3)

DVC = Dual Voice Coil
SVC = Single Voive Coil
THD = Total Harmonic Distortion, This is the amount of distortion created within the amp itself as it amplifies the signal. The lower the number the better. If I am wrong someone correct me.

A DVC sub will have no more or less "punch" than a SVC sub which is otherwise the same and given the same amount of power. The number of voice coils on a woofer and the corresponding impedances are there to create more wiring possibilities for the end user, making easier to come up with a setup which takes full advantage of the amp that is being used in a system.

You should look at getting a sub and amp together. For instance, in your case you are looking to run only one sub:

If you are going to run a class D monoblock chances are it'll perform the best at a 2 ohm load. There aren't many 2 ohm woofers out there so you will want to search for a sub that has dual 4 ohm voice coils. This will allow you to wire them in paralell and show the amp a 2 ohm load, thus allowing the amp to produce maximum power.

Alternatively if you are going to run a 2 channel amp and bridge it, the majority of 2 channels will produce max power at 4 ohm bridged. Therefore you will want to search for either a 4 ohm single voice coil, or dual 2 ohm voice coil woofer which may be wired in series to show a 4 ohm load.

You have to start somewhere, either choose an amp or a sub which you like best and then choose the other piece of equipment from those that will suit it.

When comparing 10's to 12's you have to listen to them because the difference is different for each line of woofer. I've seen (heard) some woofer lines which I like the sound of more in a 12" variant, and I've heard others which I prefer in a 10".

I personally like 10's because of the amount of space they take up - very little in a sealed enclosure. A 12 can sound just as good or as bad as a 10, the choice of enclosure has a HUGE impact on sound quality.

wavdj

wow.. thanks for that post
but to be sure i understand,
For example, if I have a 4 ohm single, i should have a 2ch Amp bridged, that way i will still run my sub at 4 ohm ?
But if I have a 4 ohm dual, with a Mono amp, i will run my sub at 2 ohm?

Is one better than the other ? the mono kit will be less expensive than a 2ch amp i supose ?

And what about 8ohm ? I saw that some sub can be 2 or 8ohm ? how can that work ?


Thanks again !!!

RScooby

iTrader: (3)

First of all, if your sub is 4 ohm it will always be 4 ohm. This will not change no matter what amp you are using. What will change is how the different amps perform at 4 ohms.

Your first statement is correct. For the majority of the equipment out there if you are running a 4 ohm load to the amp you will want a bridged 2 channel amp, if you are running a 2 ohm load you are going to want a monoblock. There are exceptions, some 2 channels will run at 2 ohm bridged and some monoblocks will run at one ohm. But this equipment is generally more expensive.

There should not be much of a cost difference between a single sub with bridged 2 channel amp vs. a single sub with a mono amp setup. That is unless you get a deal somewhere obviously.

8 ohm single voice coil woofer are pretty well only applicable in multi-woofer applications. For example, 2 x 8ohm woofers in parallel = a 4 ohm load.

A single woofer that can either be 2 ohms or 8 ohms means that it has a dual 4 ohm voice coil configuration. This means that this single woofer on its own can show a 2 ohm load by wiring the 2 4 ohm coice coils in parallel or it can show a 8 ohm load by wiring the 2 4 ohm voice coils in series.

wavdj

Ok , now I understand thank you !!
now, does someone have any suggestion for a brand - model ? I would look for a 4 ohm single and a 2ch amp.. !

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

Good sound and balance is about the box and how the new sub is matched to the balance of the system. For example, I would not want to go and drop in a DD2512 in a slot port box to match up with a deck powered system as it will be bass overload no matter what. A single dvc12" and a good mono amp or even a svc12" and a good 2 channel amp is all that is needed for the most part. If you have an amplified system for the front or are planning on a amplified system up front, then I would look to a higher output type of system in the back, something with a larger amp or a ported type of box. All depends on how it is matched to what you have now.

What equipment are you replacing (that died a horrible but well played death) and what else is in the vehicle?

wavdj

My kit:
Alpine 9853
Front speaker MBQuart component 2way 60wrms
Rear speaker MBQuart coax 2way 60wrms
4ch amp for my 4 speakers: Orion 4X50wrms
I have a 4awg wire for my battery to a switch, that can go to 2 X 8awg (for
both amp)

I had a PhoenixGold Tantrum 200.2 and an Infinity Ref 1030 (250wrms)
played well. That was playing nice, but not enough loud and low(I think my box wasnt real good)

Now i'd like a more powerfull amp/sub , but mostly for better sound (And yes i will have a better box heheh)

I would have a sealed box, for better sound and faster and low response(right?)