Hi Everyone,

I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT.


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My current setup:

Boston Acoustics SPZ-60 (woofer and tweeter) in the front doors

Boston Acoustics SPZ-60 (woofers only) in the rear mounts (used to be 6x9 speakers there)

Component speakers powered by JL 450/4.

2x 10" Audiobahn P.O.S. subs in a ported box, powered by a HiFonics Brutus 1200 watt amp.

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The subs are clearly the weak part in my install, and I plan to upgrade to one JL 12w7 in a sealed box. My question is this: Will my existing Brutus amp be enough power for the 12w7? Is the 12w7 the best choice for SQ?

I was thinking of buying the new JL HD 750/1, but if its not necessary, I don't want to waste money. I guess I really just want to know if the 1200 watts in the Brutus amp is the real deal?

Keep in mind, I am only interested in sound quality.

Thanks for your input!

-Piano

 

Looks like your Brutus will produce about the same amount of power as the HD 750 into W7's 3 ohm coil. I'd stick with the Brutus only because you already own it. The JL HD 750/1 is a really good SQ amp though. Not cheap by any means but would accent the 450/4 quite well. There is always the 1000/1. Might even be cheaper than the HD 750 and will prove to be much more power.

 

you wont see rated power outta the hifonics brutus line.

w/e is stated it does at w/e ohmage is really like 100-150rms less

 

Morel is a sub you should short list right now if you are after one of the best subs on the market for SQ. (with the results to show for it as well). The amp you have is a ok amp, not what I would be using by any means myself but it is what you have to work with right now. Ideally, let it find a new home in somone else's vehicle. Once you have chosen the sub, we need to get the PROPER box designed and built for the application. I can recommend a great box designer / builder for you if you are somewhere out east or west for that matter.

 

I guess my hunch has been confirmed...I will probably end up buying a new amp.

I guess my next question would be this:

Assuming I am buying the JL 12w7 sub, which amp would be more appropriate from an SQ point of view? The HD 750/1 or the 1000/1?

Cost is also an issue here, so if the difference is small I would most likely side with the cheaper of the two.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

If cost is the issue, lose the W7. While it is indeed a good sub, I cannot justify to you in any way why the CDN dealer pays 20 - 40% more for the same JL Audio items vs. the US dealer. JL is a great line but on the value level it is at the bottom for the fine company that it is. If you care to look at this link, this sub holds one of the highest reviews ever completed for a subwoofer.

Morel Ultimo 12 - Performance Driven - Car Audio & Electronics Magazine

 

Well, I ended up downsizing a bit.

The 12w7 was just too expensive, so I ended up getting a 10w7 instead. The local dealer also had a sale on a JL 500/1v2 which I now have powering the 10w7.

So far it sounds great. I only have about 5 hours in it so far, so obviously it is not broken in yet, but I am very happy.

I can't believe how much power the 10w7 has. I went from two 10" crappy woofers in a ported box to one 10" w7 in a sealed box. The 10w7 has at least twice as much power as my old setup. AND it sounds better. Amazing.


Thanks for everyone's advice! I think the next step is going to be putting some dynamat in my trunk

 

Nice additions.