Good 15" inch sub

by audionewb
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I've decided to get 2 15's for my car, and was wondering what brands should I be looking at?


Replies (26)
swez on 08/15/2004 09:36:51
Depends on what power range you desire, price and type of performance.... LOUD as all get out, Clean as a whistle or a bit of both.

Also, the type of box you have room for matters as well as budget and amplifier power & type. Say more before we we can help.

Swez

audionewb on 08/15/2004 10:08:09
Well I was looking for a pretty clean sound, but loud enough to hear that thing. I'm probably going to have a car audio shop build my speaker box for me. I was looking to spend about a 1000 dollars for amp subs and box. I really would like to have loud sound with all different type of music. All I need to buy is amp and subs.


swez on 08/15/2004 10:56:21
Adire Tempest 15" $150.00 each, 750 watts, dual 8 ohm coils

http://www.adireaudio.com/Files/cut%20sheets/Tempest%20Mobile%20Audio%20Sales%20Brochure.pdf

Elemental Designs: 16Kv.2 Dual 2 $135.00* / MSRP $175.00

http://www.edesignaudio.com/kv2.htm

There are many others out there to choose from as well Alpine, Audiobahn, Rockford, Orion, Power Acoustik, Kicker and many others as well. You will find them much higher in price... but all solid performers in their own right.

The Adire and E-Design subs are low cost, but NOT inferior to some of the well known brands noted above. The enclosure design is key to great bass whether for high SPL, SQ or a SQL applications.

If you want to look at other brands, goto:

http://www.cardomain.com/shoptype/Subwoofers

Yes, the choices are bewildering... but we can help you through the process.

Swez

audionewb on 08/15/2004 15:13:07
Oh how well I know that enclosure means a lot to how good your subs will sound. I've made some before, but I think I'm going to have pros do this one. That's why I'm just going to let a shop do it. I was thinking about something that was like dual 4 ohm voice coils, so I could bridge them on a maybe a class-d amp down to 1 ohm. Usually most class-d's are bridgeable that low. The last system I had was for polk audio 12s. I was thinking about like 500 watts RMS to each speaker. Hopefully that will push enough to get through my big ass car(Grand Marquis). I'm really looking for good sound quality, and a speaker that would be good for all types of music, but mainly rap/hip hop.

audionewb on 08/15/2004 19:36:38
What you think a about these? http://www.cbrstereo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=50

They are the Alpine 15 inch type R's. They are 200-500 RMS, which is about what I'm looking for and also they are dual 4-ohm VC's. Are they any good?

swez on 08/15/2004 20:01:49
Yes, that is a good sub for great SQL bass. One thing, not too many high output Class D amps out there that will do a 1 ohm load very well. There are more options out there with 2+2 DVC's as these can be wired for a net 2 ohm load. Alpine does make a 2+2 version... but you may have some shopping to do, to get the price down to affordable prices:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-tZwaciEgjM0/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=67800&I=500SWR1521&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=Alpine+subwoofers


JBL Powevalve BP-1200.1 will, HiFonics Brutus series will, Crunch V-Drive says it will and so will Audiobahn Class D's. Rockford, Kicker, Infinity and MTX Class D's will only take 2 ohm loads safely.

Swez

PS The Adire Tempest is still a better deal ($150.00 each) and when wired full parallel, these subs net a 2 ohm load. Built and installed a pair of 12" Adire Shiva's for a guy and they were very impressive at 600 watts RMS to the pair. The Shiva is the little brother to Tempest. I am sure the SQL and power handling are up to most folks standards. Have been doing Pro audio installs for a number of years now... I AM PICKY !!! Would not send you on a wild goose chase and left wanting for better performance. Based on price and performance, the Tempest is a very good value and performer.

audionewb on 08/15/2004 21:02:55
Are there any websites selling these? I've been looking and haven't found them. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

P0werLifter on 08/16/2004 00:25:53
www.adireaudio.com is the website for the tempest...they sell direct but u can also search www.froogle.com for prices on the tempest.

audionewb on 08/16/2004 06:55:52
Yeah I saw that adireaudio.com. I was thinking that maybe that Infinity 1210a Reference amp might work for those speakers... You guys have any better suggestions?

swez on 08/16/2004 09:37:40
Yes, this amp is plenty for most potent subs we have discussed. It's 1300 watts RMS @ 2 ohms, Class D, has a sub sonic filter control and other good features. It seems to have many of the same characteristics as its' sister brand JBL. Infinity, JBL and Crown are all in the same umbrella company... Harmon Intl. They know audio up & down.

One thing to note, this amp is fused at 120A. At loud volumes, should nominal at ~80A. That means a large ALT/BAT package is madatory if you really push this one hard. Not sure what the electricals are in that Big ol Boat... but my Buick LeSabre (3800 engine pkg.) has a 120A upgrade and I am sure it would be hard pressed to deliver enough power to an amp of this magnitude. Especially if adding a 4 channel amp later.

Think that one over before you dive in head first. A smaller amp will draw less peak current and still net plenty of SPL. Something that nets 600 - 800 watts into 2 ohms will draw less power and less than 3dB drop in total output is not a big sacrifice. Otherwise, you may be shopping for more than amps and subs... add a few beans for a larger CCA rated BAT and a HO ALT. (maybe $400 more)

Swez

redderthanafeutz on 08/16/2004 11:49:58
www.acoustic-visions.com sells the tempest for $150 including shipping. They are an authorized dealer so warranty is good through Adire.

Another sub to consider is the PG ti15. I just installed one for my brother in a 3 cf box tuned to 30hz and it sounds great in my opinion. It's not as loud as my dual sealed Shiva's but it's darn close. They are under $150 from www.thezeb.com and I think www.cbrstereo.com.

Those two places sell different versions (single voice coil vs. dual voice coil) so you would have to make sure you got the right ones based on the amp that you will be using.

BTW, this was the first 15 I heard and I like 15's now!

soul_karver on 08/16/2004 12:24:13
Infinity Reference 610a is another mono amp that Infinity sells and it is exactly like that 1210a accept it nets 657 watts RMS at 2 ohms and is fused at 60A. It would be a lot less of a load on your electrical system and the package would be almost just as loud.

~SK

audionewb on 08/16/2004 16:25:24
The fuse rating is only 3x30 amps, that would only be 90 amps right? I didn't think fuses would last over too much what they are rated for... Although the 610a sounds pretty good as well, and may be more in my price range. I just don't know if it's enuff to make it thru that car, and me still being able to fill a good solid punch. I also noticed another problem I might have on my car. The rear speakers aren't enclosed, so when I put those subs in I don't want the air from the subs to mess up those highs. What do you guys recommed for that situation?

P0werLifter on 08/16/2004 16:42:29
Theres a pretty quick easy fix for the rear speakers not being enclosed. In order to protect them from the SPL from the sub drivers you can get a tupperware bowl and cover the backside of the speakers....Or you could build a Enclosure around the backside of them (same differance as the bowl) might look cleaner.

As far as 600watts goes in your car? Your worried about them not being able to get a good punch? Wrong,,,600watts is plenty for a awesome punch and it saves you BIG $$ in electrical upgrades. I had 2 12" MTX 6000s only running of 400watts and that was plenty. Unless you plan to compete in SPL where every single dB counts you dont need the extra wattage. You will be very happy with the results from 600watts believe me.

But if you have your heart set on a very high wattage system (1000+) you better be ready to break out your pocket book and be in for a long ride. In order to run a large system you HAVE to upgrade you electricals. NO IF's, AND's or BUT's about it. Figure at least a 200amp alt + High CCA batteries and massive wires/fuses. That alone you will spend $600+ not including your subwoofers, components/speakers, Amplifiers etc. I say again...1000+ watts...MANDATORY upgrades on electricals.

Easy way to figure out how big of an alternator your going to need for the system you want is Add up the total wattage of your system and divide that by 12 (assuming your on a 12volt system). Per say you really want to run a 1000watt amplifier.(no other amplifiers to run your mids or whatever, if so..add that to the total wattage also).....1000/12= 83 amper draw for that amplifier alone. Now tack on another 60amps for your stock electricals to run on and whammy....you need at least a 143amp alternator to run that 1000watt amplifier.

Im not trying to discourage you, just merely informing you of the neccessary steps you will need to take inorder to run a high wattage.

~Jason

swez on 08/16/2004 17:51:46
Good words of wisdom there PL... (you are learning as fast as Chronos) to spell it all out where power comes to the game.

Really, 400-600 RMS watts will definitely be a pounder. In fact, a single 15", ported/vented will give very good results and save you many extra expenses. If you went that route, go with a 4+4 DVC model and a Class D amp that is stable at 2 ohms. In the right box... a single Alpine 15 (1541D) will definitely rise to the occassion.

Swez

P0werLifter on 08/16/2004 18:27:14
I agree with you there Swez...a single 15" driver in the correct ported/vented enclosure will give awesome results and good SPL output. Its all about your preference though. 2 15" Drivers are good also GRIN. Im thinking about within the year going with either Two Brahma 12's or Brahma 15's....im leaning more towards the 15s but we'll see. Right now the MOFOs are strutting very nicely.

Sorry back on to topic haha. A single 15 would sound awesome in this situation as Swez said and also save you money. Two 15's will sound awesome also with the right amount of power and enclosure design....not only that but a single 15" tunes and ported correctly can hit very high numbers on the SPL meter. Then when someone says "yo what u runnin" just grin and say.. "ohh a single 15"

-Jason

audionewb on 08/16/2004 18:29:50
So you think if I go with a smaller amp I should go with one sub? I kinda wanted 2...Do you think that won't be enuff power for 2 subs?

P0werLifter on 08/16/2004 19:24:11
It depends, If you really prefer 2 15" drivers then go with that. A 600rms amplifier like we've been recomending will net 300rms per sub. You can run subwoofers at a lower RMS than what their rated just dont over work the amp and cause clipping (distorted power). Drivers will work fine with a lower RMS as long as its CLEAN power.

Look around for some 15" subs with around the 300-600watts rms..
Elemental Designs good you can check out their Kv.2 Series http://www.edesignaudio.com/kv2.htm

the 16Kv.2 15" driver is 500watts RMS...im sure the others will be along shortly to reccomend others and have some other ideas.

_Jason

audionewb on 08/17/2004 07:11:34
So if I go with those I want to get the dual 2 ohm so I can run the coils, in series and then bridge the speakers at the amp right?

swez on 08/17/2004 10:52:04
If you want a pair of 15's... yes, get the 2+2 DVC version and wire each sub as a 4 ohm load. Then parallel each sub to amp for a 2 ohm load.

FYI, 600 watts RMS is nothing to sneeze at. I have a pair of Sound Stream SPL 10's in a sealed box. Am running them at 4 ohms to a Peavey CS-800 amp in my garage/shop. At 400 RMS, my neighbors get a little miffed. These subs go low and can get pretty loud and easily fill a 600 sq ft space. (6000 + cu. ft) I used them in my last car w/ a JBL 300 watt amp and bass was plenty for me. It's the enclosure that makes all the difference.

Swez

audionewb on 08/17/2004 18:35:19
So you guys think I should get two of those 15s, and that Infinity amp then?

swez on 08/18/2004 12:15:07
Dual or single sub(s) will work fine in a well designed enclosure and ~600 RMS is plenty to give you the bass we all crave. As you probably know, dual sub enclosure are going to be heavy and take up a large amount of cargo space. it would be a good idea to measure the location where your subs will be installed. A 15" sub needs ~17-18" of height.

Subs are generally best installed in trunk mounting applications so that they fire toward the rear bumper. So, you have to have that much height to get a good fit. Up-firing subs don't usually work as well as they tend to make the trunk panel rattle a lot. If you don't have the height for 15's, a pair of 12's will still net plenty of bass and requires less height as well. (~14")

If it fits... I'd say you're well on your way.

Swez

audionewb on 08/18/2004 17:24:06
Those elementals look like they are meant for small boxes, plus we are talking about a Grand Marquis (1999) here... I mean that thing is huge, but I'll double check in case. The car is in really nice condition I just hope they do a nice clean job on the install and don't screw up my leather seats or anything while running the wires.

uochronos on 08/18/2004 17:29:04
just to jump in here i'am buuilding a nice custom box for an elemetnal designs 15a sub and it is a huge box somehting like 1.8cubic feet. and even in a small box they eprform well. i have a 12Kx and it gets deep and boomy in a .5cubic foot box compared to similar subs,

P0werLifter on 08/18/2004 19:39:02
u think 1.8is huge lol my MOFOs enclosure im building is 3.2Cubes for a single 12....6+cubes for both =P Im sure he'll have enough room in ths Marquis for 2 15's

-Jason

compvr15s on 08/18/2004 19:49:29
i have my 2 15s in about a 5^3 foot box for the both, about 2.5cubic feet each and they get really loud, the box is rather large, and shaped kinda wierd, but it gets the job done.



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