i3kc

iTrader: (2)

Hi!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Current Set Up.
Head Unit : Eclipse
Front Speakers : Kicker Components
Front AMP : MTX 2x50 watts RMS
Rear Speakers : None
Subs : 2 x 12" Eclipse Aluminum dual 2 ohms, 450 watts RMS / 900 watts Max
Sub AMP : MTX 400 watts, @ 4 ohm, 800 watts @ 2 ohms, 1200 watts @ 1 ohm.
Vehicle : 05 Honda Civic

Situation - I have each of my subs in individual sealed enclosures 0.80 cu ft. They are facing the back. They are wired to run at 4 ohms. The amp pushes 800 watts RMS between the two subs. The subs have great tight Bass, but I am not getting the same deep thunderous bass as my old set up (JBL 1200.1 with 2 x MTX 8000 12" subs in a dual sealed enclosure).

I want to get the subs to have really good low end at all volume levels. I really want to feel the bass.

I am considering a few options. I thought about selling my equiptment and going with a different set up, but I might look for a fix first. Please let me know what you think is the best way to go. If I haven't mentioned something that you think is would be ideal, please feel free to share.

A) Add filler to increase the box volume. Larger volume = more bass? Is the box size I'm using too small?

B) Change to a ported box. I hear great things about going to a ported set up. I’m just worried about getting the right ported box.

C) Get a more powerful AMP. Is 400 watts RMS for each speaker enough to get most out of the subs. Is there a real difference if I under power the Sub vs. over powering it?

D) Change to a 1 sub set up. Wire the Sub to run at 1 ohm, and thus draw 1200 watts from the AMP. Would this give me what I want as compared to my current set up?

I’m open to all options, and please let me know what you think.

Thanks.

i3kc

iTrader: (2)

Sorry,

my current box volume is 1.3 cu ft per sub box.

MTT

iTrader: (17)

unless I'm misreading what you've typed.
in one spot you say the amp does 400rms @ 4 ohms
you go on to say that your subs are wired to 4 ohms

to me, they are each getting about 200 watts, under half of rms.

can you clarify?

Sikk Nation

iTrader: (1)

he has dual 2ohm subs, each is wired i series, he then has them paralelled to each other. I'd reccomend swapping your + and _ wires on the amp to start. Often tiems you can lose a good amount of bas output when having the subs wired in phase with the speakers... Also you might want to the route of getting a custom box built for those subs. Ported of course.

i3kc

iTrader: (2)

Sorry for not being too clear.

Each sub is set up in series for a 4 ohm load.

The two subs are run in parallel for a 2 ohm load.

The amp pushes 800 watts at a 2 ohm load so 400 watts each sub.

I don't remember if the subs are wired in phase or out of phase, but the phase is set at the option that allows for more "power". My head unit can control the phase, so it was easy enough to try both ways to have it set up correctly.

I have been considering going with a custom ported box. I am just worried that I won't get a good enough increase in performance for the money I will have to spend on one.

I do hear that properly built ported boxes will give me deeper and more clear performance as compared to a sealed box.

Of course I don't use my trunk, so the size of a ported enclosure wouldn't really matter to me.

Sikk Nation

iTrader: (1)

A properly designed and built ported box can sound better play much lower, and louder than a sealed box. Changing parts will have less of difference than going with a properly built ported box for your setup

FrankB

iTrader: (1)

You sure?

MTT

iTrader: (17)

Are you positive?

Sikk Nation

iTrader: (1)

I did say CAN sound better..it's not always the case..but in many instances a ported enclosure will give the best sound from certain setups.. it's all relative to the specific equipment being used.

As for getting louder and playing deeper.. it's a no brainer... properly designed ported enclosures win hands down every time

LOWTONEZ

iTrader: (3)

I agree, that 99% of the time when looking for more output and low end extension a ported enclosure will result in an increase over a sealed. Nothing more to add.