SUBS
When shopping for a subwoofer, you first need to do some planning on how you want to set up the install. The amount of subs, power rating, ohm configurations, enclosure size, and subwoofer size can make for alot of different variables.
You also need to consider your electrical system. If you're going to run over 400-600 watts rms, you should consider an upgraded alternator. (not to mention a stronger battery, and Big 2 upgrade)
These two links are good to check out before picking out a subwoofer.
http://www.bcae1.com/spboxnew2.htm
http://forum.sounddomain.com/ubb/ult...;f=11;t=069893
Some subs are designed to work better in certain enclosures. There are purpose built subs that are made fro SPL. There are subs that are made purely for sound quality. Theres also "SQL" subs. These are sort of a mix of a SQ driver and a SPL driver.
SPL subs are generally designed to be installed in a large ported enclosure. SQ and SQL subs can typically be put in both with good results. Sealed typically yeilds better sound quality and accuracy, also with a sealed enclosure the amount of airspace needed is lessened. This can be good if you are trying to do a small or stealth enclosure.
One advantage of using a ported enclosure is that the same sub can get louder off of less power than the sub in the sealed enclosure. In most cases you give up some accuracy by going to a ported enclosure. But you can get very good results out of using a ported enclosure.
A similar install would be an Infinite Baffle install. AKA IB. This type of install also requires less power than a sealed enclosure and can yeild very good results too.
Infinite Baffle can be great for people that don't want to give up any space in their trunk. But space saving isn't the only reason to go this route. IB can sound very VERY good too if properly implemented.
If you do decide to do an IB install, you need to carefully pick a subwoofer that can be used in an IB install. Do some searching on the
www.buwaldahybrids.com and
www.talkaudio.uk forums. IB installs are very popular there and there's a ton of info on it.
When picking any sub/enclosure you need to take into consideration how much power you have avaialable. Some subs are more efficient than others, and work well off low power. Some require a certain amount of power to get moving. SPL subs typically require and work better off of more power. A sq sub is typically designed to work well off 100-400 watts rms.
Another subject worth bringing up is the use of different types of amplifiers. The two most common types are Class D and Class AB(there's also tube amps, class T, Class A and other types, but we won't go into those)
Class AB power is less efficient than class D. However class AB is prefered over class D for better sound quality. If you are going to do a sound quality sub install, and don't require more than400-500 watts rms, then you can probably get away with using class AB and your electrical system should be able to handle it. If you are more into SPL you can use a class D amp and a ported enclosure and get considerably louder than the sq install with the same draw on the electrical system. At some point you have to upgrade the alternator though.
A very big SPL or SQL install will require more power.
Here's some things to check out, be sure to do plenty of your own research before picking a sub.
TC Sounds TC2+/Soundsplinter RL-i
www.oaudio.com www.soundsplinter.com These subs are known for great sound quality and having the capability of getting very loud. In a sealed enclosure 400+ watts rms should be used.
TC SOunds TC9/Soundsplinter RL-p SQL/SPL subs. These are also great subs. Send lots of power though
Image Dynamics IDQ, old design, but hasn't been changed for a reason. Great SQ subs. For ID on the internet go to
www.sounddomain.com. Pretty efficient subs and don't need too much power. These subs work great in sealed or ported. 100-350 watts rms is all that's needed, the 12"s and the 15"s can handle 400-500 watts rms.
Image Dynamics ID, still a great sq sub, but designed to get louder than the IDQ's, 100-400 watts rms. The ID8V3 is also a great 8" sub.
Image Dynamics IDMAX, very popular SQL sub. Works well off 600-1,000 watts rms.
All Image Dynamics subs work well in IB installs.
Peerless XLS and XXLS. There is a home version and a car version. The car version has lower ohms. These also work great in freeair installs.
Diamond D6 sub great sub with 600+ wrms.
Arc Audio D series, very similar to IDQ
Arc Flatline, very nice SQL sub.
Dayton Audio Titanic, good SQL sub
Adire Audio makes good subs across their whole lineup. The Brahma is a popular sub, but very power hungry, needs over 1K watts rms.
RE Audio makes subs that cater to everyone, SE has good sq, and get's loud. XXX is a great SQL sub. RE MT is a dedicated SPL sub, handles lots of power.
Soundstream Exact's are nice SQ subs, and fairly inexspensive.
Digital Designs makes great subs, most of DD is designed for SPL, but very nice sounding subs though.
Elemental Designs- eD is very comparable to ID.
Treo makes good SPL subs.
Older PPI flatcone subs were really nice.
Illusion Audio made really nice SQ subs that are very shallow(but still require good airspace), they just recently went back into business.
Focal K2 series and Be series
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