Looking for new subs...need recommendations

Shelbrain · 06-14-2005, 11:17 AM

I already purchased an Alpine MRD-M301 Sub Amplifier http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xCUpXdi...rch=MRD%2DM301, but now I am thinking about replacing my ~5 year old subs. I believe they are Pioneer IMPPs (10" X 2). I am not a basshead, but I am looking for something to complement my Infinity Kappa Perfect Components which are going to be powered by an Alpine MRV-F345. I listen to mostly rap, r&b, some rock, etc. A new friend recommended JL Audio subs, but I am unsure as to what model I would need for that amp...any help would be greatly appreciated!

WhiteRabbit · 06-14-2005, 03:02 PM

You will find very little difference between subwoofers in the realm of quality of sound. Biggest diffrences in performance between seperate woofers that you will probbaly notice is range, flatness of response (hint: flatter may not *neccesarily* be better!), and efficiency of the subwoofer.

the flattness of your response will be dictated more by your box than anything else. so if you decide to run a premade box, you will be greatly limited what you can run. in your case, probbaly a good thing, itll narrow down the field!

I would recommend a single subwoofer this time around rather than two. with only 320 rms, youll be able to save some money and trunkspace by going with a single 4 ohm DVC subwoofer rather than a pair.

since your kappa perfects can play very low compared to the bandwagon speakers here (kappas and classics) you will have less to worry about concerning a midbass gap between your mids and subwoofer. This iwll leave you free to look for a subwoofer that has greater low frequency extension, rather than one that needs to compensate for low end mids. Size can be an indicator, but its not written in stone. especially if you listen to rap, I would start by considering a 12" variety first. natually youll have to doublecheck the usable frequency response sealed (via other people's experience, not by chart data)

JL does in fact make a vareity of particilarly nice subwoofers. the 12w3v2 comes in a 4 ohm DVC variety, would work well off 320 rms, and is pretty warm sounding in a prefab sealed box (the larger the better, about one cubic foot). I think it would suit you well.

If you are looking for something a bit more crisp at a cost of warmth, you might look for the 12IDQ. It'll work in .8-1 cube or so, both prefab box volumes available. I'm not sure you would prefer the sound over the w3v2, but its an option to look for.

these are just two options of a great many out there. You might decide youd rather stick with a pair of 10's instead of a single 12. might decide youd like a single 15 (which isnt really a bad idea!). but its a couple thoughts for you to take to someone else who will say "this guy is an idiot".

BassBinDevil · 06-14-2005, 04:25 PM

Adire Tempest is good value... if you have room for a 15", and a fairly large box. They've got the Shiva 12" for a little less money.

WhiteRabbit · 06-14-2005, 04:41 PM

how are the new ones? old ones are 8 ohm DVC, no good. the new ones are an improved model?

Shelbrain · 06-14-2005, 06:14 PM

Whichever sub I end up with I am going to have a box built for it...may consider the single 12" option. Thanks!

TimW · 06-17-2005, 12:46 AM

youd be amazed at how good four tens sound with only 100rms each

But really, It all depends on how much space and money you have...

Ive always been a fan of multiple smaller drivers, due to the accuracy, and use them in quantity to get your volume..

Id go with either a single dual 4 ohm 12 taking full 350rms from the amp, or A pair of 4 ohm 10's on that amp will give them a healthy 175 each...

Brand is all up to you... the box is more of a factor then the sub itself. (provided youre not shoping at walmart or autozone!).. Infinity, Alpine, JL, ID, MBQuart, they all sound great in a box built to their individual spec's.

scott_fx · 06-17-2005, 02:53 AM

do some research on pioneer premier spl1200's you'll find some great reviews for this sub and it's not that expensive either

markuskj · 06-17-2005, 12:38 PM

Hello there - new on here but regular on Talk Audio. I second the suggestion of the JL 12w3v2. Obviously there are cheaper subs but to be honest, these are the most value for money i.e. longevity, no need to upgrade etc and are built to give a mellow, integrated sound - not blow you away. As a testement to this they are meant to be used non-ported, for superior responce etc.

Aslo - anyone who is interested in subs simply has to try our an Epic 160 - this beautiful box "restores" bass lost in the mix down process of a CD, nothing like a loudness button or a bass control this is the single most rewarding purchase i have made in ICE

Cheers

Mark

WhiteRabbit · 06-17-2005, 09:29 PM

it restores nothing. It simply takes a chunk of the signal, drops it an octave, and reinserts that back into the original signal. Naturally you are able to define the limits of what signal it takes, and how loud the changed signal is.

simply put, you can define it to take 50-100 Hz, drop it an octave (make it a response from 25-50 instead) and reinsert that new signal back into the original.

If we want to get purely accurate, its a bastardization of the signal.

but to be honest, we loved the epicenter too. there was nothing quite like playing country music in a hick town, and turning up the epicenter, and blaring our country turned rap music with the windows rolled down.

markuskj · 06-18-2005, 05:27 AM

White rabbit, I am aware of how the 160 works but could not be bothered to pedantically spell out how it works when this was not the point of the thread - thanks for this thought

The point of it is that it is not putting in bass where no bass was there, but exentuating the existing track - there are many systems that add "bass" which pollute the whole signal and obviously the 160 is a different system this this.

If anyone is building a flat earth, devout SQ system than forget the Epic 160, if you want to get immediately controllable bass and really see what decent subs are capable of then this is a must. Just my 22 cents as they say.

Nic · 06-18-2005, 06:04 AM

i vote for the 12w3v2 as well, its what i have and they have done me well. mind you i listen to mostly electronic music not rap/rnb so the sound might not be "boomy" enough for you

ralphyboy1 · 06-18-2005, 01:12 PM

What do you dislike about your current subs?

markuskj · 06-18-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Nic

i vote for the 12w3v2 as well, its what i have and they have done me well. mind you i listen to mostly electronic music not rap/rnb so the sound might not be "boomy" enough for you

Although the JL subs have a reputation of being "mellow" and thus more suitable for a range of musical types, they are still very capable for bass driven music such as rap and drum and bass.

King Mendiola · 06-18-2005, 03:05 PM

JL's are nice but pricey, ever consider Elemental designs http://edesignaudio.com/category.php?type=subs or Image dynamics http://www.cardomain.com/item/IDSIDQ12D4V2 Great subs for the money. The Image Dynamics IDQ series are great subs as I own a pair. Hit hard but also clean.

Dub

markuskj · 06-18-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by King Mendiola

JL's are nice but pricey, ever consider Elemental designs http://edesignaudio.com/category.php?type=subs or Image dynamics http://www.cardomain.com/item/IDSIDQ12D4V2 Great subs for the money. The Image Dynamics IDQ series are great subs as I own a pair. Hit hard but also clean.

Dub

On the good but cheaper side you may also want to check out Resonant Engineering - particularily the XXX series: http://www.reaudio.com/html/

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