I currently own a Audiobahn A1500HCT amp, but am wondering if I should go with the decision to buy Audiobahn subs as well. I know for a fact that Audiobahn makes quality amps that push atleast what they are rated, but I need some more educated opinions on their subs - I''ve researched them online for a couple of days now, and I've drawn these general conclusions from a crapload of people :
1. Building the proper enclosure following specs is extremely important
2. Most of the models can't take nearly the amount of power they are rated for unless they are in a very small sealed enclosure that isn't big enough to hit the lowest of frequencies
3. In general, Audiobahn subs have excellant db w/ just average SQ, with the exception of the ALUM series
4. Older model years tended to quite commonly be manufactured defectively or crappily, but construction and quality has now gone way up
5. They deliver an excellant "bang for the buck"
5. Most people say (if they didn't have a problem w/ the subs working right) that their Audiobahns were louder than anything they had ever heard or owned before - including JL, Rockford, Pioneer, MTX, etc.
Should I invest in Audiobahn subs?
Replies (8)
Swez on 06/9/2003 20:15:05
Bahns are not bad for SPL, but as for SQ... there are much better choices out there.
Your readings and comments are pretty much on target from what I have read as well. The Alum Pro is a very good sub for the price, but as noted, the box design makes a big difference in how loud they will play and how low they will go.
Say a bit more on what you are trying to do here OK? Are you wanting to compete in SPL Comps or a daily driver that can get loud too. Also, what type of music do you like most.
Swez
Relax_The_Mind on 06/10/2003 00:57:22
I have 2001 series High Excursions....two 12"s to be exact. SPL is excellent and SQ is also excellent. I am personally into building the "correct" box for the subs and most people dont do that (some subs are optimum in ported others in sealed). The speaker is nothing without a great box and many people get wrong impressions of speakers played in out-of-spec boxes.
Yes my model is the 'older' one and the construction isnt that great but one of my buddies has the 2002 year of my same models and they are totally different.
I was expecting the same reaction most people say about audiobahns and SQ. I've changed my mind ever since the first time I sent power to them babies. My bro-in-law has the Alum series and yes...the SQ is top notch (replaced his old infinity kappa subs).
In my opinion you should match that amp with a pair of audiobahns (alums i presume), spend quality time (or money) on the box, and enjoy.
RTM
xplicitblitzboi on 06/10/2003 14:23:36
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3029079167&category=18803&rd=1
theres an ebay site with what looks like a good deal on a couple audiobahn 12s to me, but i think i'll wait a little while, save up a little more, and go for some xtant subs, theyre only like 40 more than those bahns....
Relax_The_Mind on 06/10/2003 15:16:24
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3028591003&category=18803
For a pair of the better model audiobahns... most audio sites have specials on the alum series subs too.
http://www.mmxpress.com/Audiobahn/free.htm
Pair of alums... yeh maybe they dont measure up to other subs that cost more but they sure as hell look better
(can i say the 'h' word)
RTM
BigJMan on 06/11/2003 11:31:26
Hey, thanks guys for the input. Swez - I want a good combination/compromise between SQ and Db, so I'll probably go w/ the ALUMs or something. If you have any more suggestions, let me know.
Swez on 06/11/2003 23:29:55
Well, it depends on the price tag ... but if you have enough power from the amp, the Adire Brahma is an excellent choice of SQ and SPL... in the proper enclosure.
A single 12 or 15" Brahma in a well tuned Ported box, will be plenty loud... (read "stupid loud") and great SQ at lower volumes too.
These are 1/2/4 DVC subs and you can review the product detail at:
http://www.adireaudio.com/mobile_audio/drivers/brahma_series.htm
Not sure what the real RMS rating on that amp is at 1 ohm, but if 1200 RMS or more... this sub will take you places you have never been before in SQ and SPL.
Read the tech data on the 12 & 15" Brahma... might be a bit hard to understand if you don't have a techincal background.. .but for the money, this is a truly great sub!
Swez
PS Am not knocking the newer Bahn Excursions or Alum Pros... just may not move as much air as the Brahma, due to huge excursion design of Adire products. X-max is the key to how much air a sub will push!
Bahn also tends to lack"real world tech data" on their products and "seems" to rely on brand name recognition and fancy looks to market their products. The amp you mentioned is a perfect example as it says "2000 watts RMS @ 1 ohm loads"... but at what input voltage is is rated at ??? 14.4 V., 13.5 V., 12.5 V. Make a big difference! No reference to mthat "key detail" off the Bahn web site on this amp.... are they hiding something? YEPPER!
Relax_The_Mind on 06/12/2003 06:04:06
Yes I admit that too... when i went in for box designing they sometimes the specs were online and sometimes they werent. sometimes they label watts rms and sometimes its written as peak somewhere else. They dont give much data to fill up WinISD driver specs but I seem to have found them out.
Still waiting on that brahma from you swez...
RTM
Swez on 06/12/2003 07:17:38
See... that's my point exactly! Most quality brands will disclose full technical data on their products. This allows the informed (savvy) buyer to fugure out what he/she can expect.
Less than straight up detail from a manufacturer tells me "they are hiding something". They are trying to sell Escorts or Yugos, but the marketing schemes employed, makes it sound like a Porsche. Hummm, that's an interesting piece of news huh?
If we don't understand the engineering lingo and buzz words, it is very easy to be fooled into buying something based on hype, price and looks, rather than substance and real world performance.
My Dad said this to me many times as a boy... " Son, figures don't lie... but liars can figure" !!! SMILE He was right!
In short, if you are unsure about what to buy, get some feedback from others that can help sort out the "nitty gritty" details. There are some well known brand names that play games with the numbers, while lesser known names play it straight up with all cards showing.
That's why we often ask and give web links to technical data on products. This way, you can see for yourself what the real deal is and we can help point out the key details that make the buying choices yea or ney.
Swez
RTM: On the "free Brahma" , you have my story on that one... and I'm sticking' to it! GRIN
1. Building the proper enclosure following specs is extremely important
2. Most of the models can't take nearly the amount of power they are rated for unless they are in a very small sealed enclosure that isn't big enough to hit the lowest of frequencies
3. In general, Audiobahn subs have excellant db w/ just average SQ, with the exception of the ALUM series
4. Older model years tended to quite commonly be manufactured defectively or crappily, but construction and quality has now gone way up
5. They deliver an excellant "bang for the buck"
5. Most people say (if they didn't have a problem w/ the subs working right) that their Audiobahns were louder than anything they had ever heard or owned before - including JL, Rockford, Pioneer, MTX, etc.
Should I invest in Audiobahn subs?
Replies (8)
Swez on 06/9/2003 20:15:05
Bahns are not bad for SPL, but as for SQ... there are much better choices out there.
Your readings and comments are pretty much on target from what I have read as well. The Alum Pro is a very good sub for the price, but as noted, the box design makes a big difference in how loud they will play and how low they will go.
Say a bit more on what you are trying to do here OK? Are you wanting to compete in SPL Comps or a daily driver that can get loud too. Also, what type of music do you like most.
Swez
Relax_The_Mind on 06/10/2003 00:57:22
I have 2001 series High Excursions....two 12"s to be exact. SPL is excellent and SQ is also excellent. I am personally into building the "correct" box for the subs and most people dont do that (some subs are optimum in ported others in sealed). The speaker is nothing without a great box and many people get wrong impressions of speakers played in out-of-spec boxes.
Yes my model is the 'older' one and the construction isnt that great but one of my buddies has the 2002 year of my same models and they are totally different.
I was expecting the same reaction most people say about audiobahns and SQ. I've changed my mind ever since the first time I sent power to them babies. My bro-in-law has the Alum series and yes...the SQ is top notch (replaced his old infinity kappa subs).
In my opinion you should match that amp with a pair of audiobahns (alums i presume), spend quality time (or money) on the box, and enjoy.
RTM
xplicitblitzboi on 06/10/2003 14:23:36
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3029079167&category=18803&rd=1
theres an ebay site with what looks like a good deal on a couple audiobahn 12s to me, but i think i'll wait a little while, save up a little more, and go for some xtant subs, theyre only like 40 more than those bahns....
Relax_The_Mind on 06/10/2003 15:16:24
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3028591003&category=18803
For a pair of the better model audiobahns... most audio sites have specials on the alum series subs too.
http://www.mmxpress.com/Audiobahn/free.htm
Pair of alums... yeh maybe they dont measure up to other subs that cost more but they sure as hell look better
(can i say the 'h' word)
RTM
BigJMan on 06/11/2003 11:31:26
Hey, thanks guys for the input. Swez - I want a good combination/compromise between SQ and Db, so I'll probably go w/ the ALUMs or something. If you have any more suggestions, let me know.
Swez on 06/11/2003 23:29:55
Well, it depends on the price tag ... but if you have enough power from the amp, the Adire Brahma is an excellent choice of SQ and SPL... in the proper enclosure.
A single 12 or 15" Brahma in a well tuned Ported box, will be plenty loud... (read "stupid loud") and great SQ at lower volumes too.
These are 1/2/4 DVC subs and you can review the product detail at:
http://www.adireaudio.com/mobile_audio/drivers/brahma_series.htm
Not sure what the real RMS rating on that amp is at 1 ohm, but if 1200 RMS or more... this sub will take you places you have never been before in SQ and SPL.
Read the tech data on the 12 & 15" Brahma... might be a bit hard to understand if you don't have a techincal background.. .but for the money, this is a truly great sub!
Swez
PS Am not knocking the newer Bahn Excursions or Alum Pros... just may not move as much air as the Brahma, due to huge excursion design of Adire products. X-max is the key to how much air a sub will push!
Bahn also tends to lack"real world tech data" on their products and "seems" to rely on brand name recognition and fancy looks to market their products. The amp you mentioned is a perfect example as it says "2000 watts RMS @ 1 ohm loads"... but at what input voltage is is rated at ??? 14.4 V., 13.5 V., 12.5 V. Make a big difference! No reference to mthat "key detail" off the Bahn web site on this amp.... are they hiding something? YEPPER!
Relax_The_Mind on 06/12/2003 06:04:06
Yes I admit that too... when i went in for box designing they sometimes the specs were online and sometimes they werent. sometimes they label watts rms and sometimes its written as peak somewhere else. They dont give much data to fill up WinISD driver specs but I seem to have found them out.
Still waiting on that brahma from you swez...
RTM
Swez on 06/12/2003 07:17:38
See... that's my point exactly! Most quality brands will disclose full technical data on their products. This allows the informed (savvy) buyer to fugure out what he/she can expect.
Less than straight up detail from a manufacturer tells me "they are hiding something". They are trying to sell Escorts or Yugos, but the marketing schemes employed, makes it sound like a Porsche. Hummm, that's an interesting piece of news huh?
If we don't understand the engineering lingo and buzz words, it is very easy to be fooled into buying something based on hype, price and looks, rather than substance and real world performance.
My Dad said this to me many times as a boy... " Son, figures don't lie... but liars can figure" !!! SMILE He was right!
In short, if you are unsure about what to buy, get some feedback from others that can help sort out the "nitty gritty" details. There are some well known brand names that play games with the numbers, while lesser known names play it straight up with all cards showing.
That's why we often ask and give web links to technical data on products. This way, you can see for yourself what the real deal is and we can help point out the key details that make the buying choices yea or ney.
Swez
RTM: On the "free Brahma" , you have my story on that one... and I'm sticking' to it! GRIN
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