I am purchasing an SPLW12 sub for my car, and i have a couple of questions. 1. What kind of amp would you recommend(don't have a whole lot of money to spend on the amp)? and 2. what kind of enclosure should i use?
http://www.mycarjams.com/car_audio/hazel/detail/SPLW12
thats the link to the sub w/ all the specs and what not. I decided on 1 high wattage sub instead of 2 medium watt ones mainly to save space. I drive a 2001 Ford Taurus, which has a pretty good amount of trunk space. I am a musician and i constantly have to haul guitars and the like around so i need all the trunk space i can get. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Replies (17)
compvr15s on 01/3/2006 21:27:11
no experience with this sub or brand, specs seem to be pretty good. dual 1 ohm coils, either .5 or 2omh operation... calls for a ported box or thats all i can find, doesnt say anything about a sealed enclosure... how much do you have to spend on an amp that will give 1000-1500 watts at 2omhs??? check on ebay for hifonics mono amps.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HIFONICS-BX1605D-BRUTUS-1600-WATT-MONO-AMP-NEW-2005_W0QQitemZ5850069832QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/hk401sx-MA-AUDIO-Amplifier-Amp-REFURBISHED-HK401SX_W0QQitemZ5849864605QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
have a look at those two
t3hnapkin on 01/3/2006 21:39:04
Says the items have been removed from ebay but i looked them up on other places. and i'd like to spend less than $250 if at all possible. The hifonics amp looks good to me. What are your thoughts on buying a refurbished product? Oh and is a bandpass box the same thing as a ported box?
compvr15s on 01/4/2006 01:01:35
i personally dont have an issue with refurbs.. to me that means something was wrong with them and somebody took the time to diagnose the issue and repair the problems and test to make sure its back to specs... buying refurbs off of e-bay is a lil diff, hard to tell who actually fixed the issue... but if you find refurbs on a site that grants warranties i dont see an any problems... but even most users on ebay gurentee no dead on arrivals... as for the bandpass-ported box question, im probably the wrong person to ask about this so make sure orthers reply and agree or disagree with me... but they are not the same, many people refer to the bandpass as the one-hit-wonder... its perfroms very well in a given freq range and outside of that spectrum it does not perform as well.... vent enclosures have a certain area that they perform the loudest at(port tune frequency) but if they are well designed and made to specs they will give expected performance in all of the bass spectrum(under 100 hz most times)...
DO NOT TAKE MY WORD ON THE NEXY TWO PARAGRAPHS
-----please wait for others to respond to this part-----
im not sure about bandpass enclosures but i think they are basically a sealed enclosure with ported opening on the face side of the woofers enclsoure... the pressure is forced of the opening from the front of the woofer
a ported enclosure uses the pressure from the rear side of the sub to shoot out the port, but you still get waves out the front of the woofer as well...
Victor on 01/4/2006 03:23:36
Hello, Welcome to CK ,
Never really had any experience with that sub, or rather the manufacturer itself.
looks like a neat product. Give it anything from 900wrms to 1200wrms and it will do good.
Hifonics makes some really solid amps,,, If you can get one for a decent price it wud be great.
there is one by JBL is great to show and is a solid performer too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-GTO1201-1-1200-WATT-MONOBLOCK-AMPLIFIER-AMP-NEW_W0QQitemZ5850260323QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and this is a good one by kenwood.
http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-KAC-9152D-1800w-MONO-CAR-AUDIO-AMPLIFIER-AMP_W0QQitemZ5848440438QQcategoryZ79828QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
this one by infinity has proven its worth too..
http://cgi.ebay.com/INFINITY-REFERENCE-1211A-MONO-CHANNEL-1516-W-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ5847534393QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
this one by MA audio competes well too..
http://cgi.ebay.com/MA-AUDIO-HK2000D-3600-WATT-CLASS-D-SUB-AMPLIFIER-NEW-05_W0QQitemZ5848663615QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Well I aint trying to confuse you, just giving u a few more options incase u wanna take a look around..
as for the enclosure..
read this .. http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t18
this should give u an overview of enclosure designs, and their pro's and cons.
Hope this helps...
Victor..
compvr15s on 01/4/2006 05:05:59
ty victor, i was pretty sure we had an article for this topic but was too lazy to look for it and was kinda short on time to look for it. once again thanx for filling him in, guess i wasnt too far off though.
swez on 01/4/2006 11:49:38
Are you handy with wood working tools and such? If so, or have a friend that is; consider making a custom ported enclosure for this sub.
Sub looks pretty beefy, but ~500 watts RMS to that sub in a well designed box, will net plenty of bass SPL. (Cost less too) Just depends on your budget and how much SPL you are willing to pay for?
Since this sub recommends a 2.4 cf box, (internal dimensions), your trunk space left will be hampered. The exterior dimensions to get this air space would be something close to: (about 3.3 cf externally)
A simple rectangular box:
Width: 30"
Height: 15"
Depth: 12.5"
Map these dimensions out in your trunk with a measuring tape or make a cardboard box to help visualize how much space is really needed for this box. We can adjust H, W & D dimensions for a better fit, but the end results are still approx 3.3 cf of trunk space is needed.
Swez
t3hnapkin on 01/5/2006 21:22:21
After mapping it out in my trunk and what not...that sub will just take up too much space. Can u guys give me any suggestions on a setup i could get for around $400 total that wouldn't take up a lot of space? I'm not really looking for SPL, i'd much rather have SQ. Sorry for asking so many nubish questions i just don't know much about car audio.
t3hnapkin on 01/7/2006 19:08:48
any suggestions at all?
swez on 01/7/2006 21:46:09
Alpine SWR and SWS series' are fine subs! They come in 10, 12 & 15 inch. Power handling is 300-500 Wrms and they come in 2+2 and 4+4 DVC's.
This sub does very well in a sealed enclosure. You can go dual 10's or a single 12 and be very satisfied. A good look on the web should net you some good idea of best prices.
Once you figure out what size and # of subs to consider, then we can look at amps to power what you like OK?
Swez
t3hnapkin on 01/8/2006 21:07:10
I took your advice, and i'm going to go with the Alpine SWS-1222D. i like the cosmetics and it has good reviews. Now any suggestions for an amp? :) thanks for all your help by-the-way guys!
compvr15s on 01/8/2006 23:04:26
you going to use one or two type s subs??? if you are getting to get 1 woofer go with the 4+4 voice coil configuration. if you go with 2 woofers get the 2+2 voice coils for both subs... this way you will net a 2ohm load either way.
1sub-alpine 350 watt@2ohms rms
http://sonicelectronix.com/item_1720.html
2subs-alpine 600watts@2ohm rms
http://sonicelectronix.com/item_3733.html
____________________________________
you do not have to choose alpine amps but these two are a couple of many out there that will work, but they stayed within your budget and match up very nicely with those subs... just make sure to match the subs to the amp in ohmic value, if you dont you can damage your equipment if you go to low for the amp and if you go higher than the amp is optimal at you will desire more because the amp is under powering the subs...
other brands to choose, mtx, hifonics, kicker, ect many good brands out there.
swez on 01/8/2006 23:06:16
If you go with a single 12 here, use the 4+4 DVC version. (1242D)That nets 2 ohms and a perfect match for most Class D amps.
If you elect to run a pair of DVC's, the 1222D is the correct choice.
As for an amp, consider Alpine's MRD-301D. Great price here too:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_2584.html
This amp is fine for a single SWS-1242D sub. If you choose a pair of 12's, use the MRD-M605.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3733.html
Swez
t3hnapkin on 01/9/2006 00:03:34
Is it best that i go w/ the same brand amp as woofer?
compvr15s on 01/9/2006 01:51:10
no that really makes no difference, and actaully many companies have woofers that are too powerful for their line of amps, or some woofers will handle more than one woofer.... but i would suggest you go with a solid amp from a reputable maker... if you find a few amps that catch your eye give us a link and we can check them out and direct you in the right direction...
hey swez good thinking we were posting at the same time and we suggested the same products lol thats too funny
well i guess the m301 is a lil better than the amp i suggested, have an adjustable sub sonic filter, good if you decide to go ported in your enclosure...
t3hnapkin on 01/9/2006 02:05:24
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3490.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6276.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4116.html
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=12837
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=13988
those are the ones i looked at and liked aside from the alpine amp. what do u guys think?
compvr15s on 01/9/2006 02:35:23
ttp://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3490.html
hifonics amp will run two subs great but at 1ohm load, for 2 subs you will need the 4+4 ohm voice coils, parallel/parallel wiring will net 1omh load to amp give 600 watts-300 to each sub.(not class a/b= less efficient than other mono channel amps class d amps)
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6276.html
mtx amp will run one sub well- 4+4omh sub needed for netted 2omh load.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4116.html
MA audio amp, will also run a single sub setup same voice coils needed as the mtx amp above..
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=12837
bazooka amp-no experience with this amp, says 300 watts at 2 omhs would work fine for a single sub.
thing is everybody uses different input voltages to rate their equipment, when searching for an amp try finding an input around 12-13volts, this is what a normal car's battery and alt will supply to a stereo system, if your car indeed puts out lets say 12.5volts and you hook up an amp that is stated 300 watts@2 ohm with 14.4volts expect a lil less than stated not a real big deal but if you see amps tested on 16-20volts thats obviously alot more than your normal car will supply so expect some power loss there...
swez on 01/9/2006 11:46:04
Alpine, HiFonics, MTX, MA Audio and many others, all make very solid amps. Any that have the RMS power you want, at the right price will do just fine.
If you narrow your choices to 3 amps you are interested in, flip em up on the board and we'll give you some feedback on them. The main thing here, is to match the sub ohmic value to the amps' optimal output power. Most amps will be 2 ohm loads. A few can do 1 ohm loads. Either way, we can still match the amp/sub for optimal output.
Swez
PS It is very funny to see CompVR's post ahead of mine. We posted at about the same time and I did not see his recommendations. Nor, did he see mine. But for the most part, we had very similar recommendations. That rarely happends on this site... it's a good omen when it does happen. SMILE
http://www.mycarjams.com/car_audio/hazel/detail/SPLW12
thats the link to the sub w/ all the specs and what not. I decided on 1 high wattage sub instead of 2 medium watt ones mainly to save space. I drive a 2001 Ford Taurus, which has a pretty good amount of trunk space. I am a musician and i constantly have to haul guitars and the like around so i need all the trunk space i can get. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Replies (17)
compvr15s on 01/3/2006 21:27:11
no experience with this sub or brand, specs seem to be pretty good. dual 1 ohm coils, either .5 or 2omh operation... calls for a ported box or thats all i can find, doesnt say anything about a sealed enclosure... how much do you have to spend on an amp that will give 1000-1500 watts at 2omhs??? check on ebay for hifonics mono amps.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HIFONICS-BX1605D-BRUTUS-1600-WATT-MONO-AMP-NEW-2005_W0QQitemZ5850069832QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/hk401sx-MA-AUDIO-Amplifier-Amp-REFURBISHED-HK401SX_W0QQitemZ5849864605QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
have a look at those two
t3hnapkin on 01/3/2006 21:39:04
Says the items have been removed from ebay but i looked them up on other places. and i'd like to spend less than $250 if at all possible. The hifonics amp looks good to me. What are your thoughts on buying a refurbished product? Oh and is a bandpass box the same thing as a ported box?
compvr15s on 01/4/2006 01:01:35
i personally dont have an issue with refurbs.. to me that means something was wrong with them and somebody took the time to diagnose the issue and repair the problems and test to make sure its back to specs... buying refurbs off of e-bay is a lil diff, hard to tell who actually fixed the issue... but if you find refurbs on a site that grants warranties i dont see an any problems... but even most users on ebay gurentee no dead on arrivals... as for the bandpass-ported box question, im probably the wrong person to ask about this so make sure orthers reply and agree or disagree with me... but they are not the same, many people refer to the bandpass as the one-hit-wonder... its perfroms very well in a given freq range and outside of that spectrum it does not perform as well.... vent enclosures have a certain area that they perform the loudest at(port tune frequency) but if they are well designed and made to specs they will give expected performance in all of the bass spectrum(under 100 hz most times)...
DO NOT TAKE MY WORD ON THE NEXY TWO PARAGRAPHS
-----please wait for others to respond to this part-----
im not sure about bandpass enclosures but i think they are basically a sealed enclosure with ported opening on the face side of the woofers enclsoure... the pressure is forced of the opening from the front of the woofer
a ported enclosure uses the pressure from the rear side of the sub to shoot out the port, but you still get waves out the front of the woofer as well...
Victor on 01/4/2006 03:23:36
Hello, Welcome to CK ,
Never really had any experience with that sub, or rather the manufacturer itself.
looks like a neat product. Give it anything from 900wrms to 1200wrms and it will do good.
Hifonics makes some really solid amps,,, If you can get one for a decent price it wud be great.
there is one by JBL is great to show and is a solid performer too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/JBL-GTO1201-1-1200-WATT-MONOBLOCK-AMPLIFIER-AMP-NEW_W0QQitemZ5850260323QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and this is a good one by kenwood.
http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-KAC-9152D-1800w-MONO-CAR-AUDIO-AMPLIFIER-AMP_W0QQitemZ5848440438QQcategoryZ79828QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
this one by infinity has proven its worth too..
http://cgi.ebay.com/INFINITY-REFERENCE-1211A-MONO-CHANNEL-1516-W-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ5847534393QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
this one by MA audio competes well too..
http://cgi.ebay.com/MA-AUDIO-HK2000D-3600-WATT-CLASS-D-SUB-AMPLIFIER-NEW-05_W0QQitemZ5848663615QQcategoryZ18797QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Well I aint trying to confuse you, just giving u a few more options incase u wanna take a look around..
as for the enclosure..
read this .. http://www.clubknowledge.com/Car_Audio_FAQ/?t18
this should give u an overview of enclosure designs, and their pro's and cons.
Hope this helps...
Victor..
compvr15s on 01/4/2006 05:05:59
ty victor, i was pretty sure we had an article for this topic but was too lazy to look for it and was kinda short on time to look for it. once again thanx for filling him in, guess i wasnt too far off though.
swez on 01/4/2006 11:49:38
Are you handy with wood working tools and such? If so, or have a friend that is; consider making a custom ported enclosure for this sub.
Sub looks pretty beefy, but ~500 watts RMS to that sub in a well designed box, will net plenty of bass SPL. (Cost less too) Just depends on your budget and how much SPL you are willing to pay for?
Since this sub recommends a 2.4 cf box, (internal dimensions), your trunk space left will be hampered. The exterior dimensions to get this air space would be something close to: (about 3.3 cf externally)
A simple rectangular box:
Width: 30"
Height: 15"
Depth: 12.5"
Map these dimensions out in your trunk with a measuring tape or make a cardboard box to help visualize how much space is really needed for this box. We can adjust H, W & D dimensions for a better fit, but the end results are still approx 3.3 cf of trunk space is needed.
Swez
t3hnapkin on 01/5/2006 21:22:21
After mapping it out in my trunk and what not...that sub will just take up too much space. Can u guys give me any suggestions on a setup i could get for around $400 total that wouldn't take up a lot of space? I'm not really looking for SPL, i'd much rather have SQ. Sorry for asking so many nubish questions i just don't know much about car audio.
t3hnapkin on 01/7/2006 19:08:48
any suggestions at all?
swez on 01/7/2006 21:46:09
Alpine SWR and SWS series' are fine subs! They come in 10, 12 & 15 inch. Power handling is 300-500 Wrms and they come in 2+2 and 4+4 DVC's.
This sub does very well in a sealed enclosure. You can go dual 10's or a single 12 and be very satisfied. A good look on the web should net you some good idea of best prices.
Once you figure out what size and # of subs to consider, then we can look at amps to power what you like OK?
Swez
t3hnapkin on 01/8/2006 21:07:10
I took your advice, and i'm going to go with the Alpine SWS-1222D. i like the cosmetics and it has good reviews. Now any suggestions for an amp? :) thanks for all your help by-the-way guys!
compvr15s on 01/8/2006 23:04:26
you going to use one or two type s subs??? if you are getting to get 1 woofer go with the 4+4 voice coil configuration. if you go with 2 woofers get the 2+2 voice coils for both subs... this way you will net a 2ohm load either way.
1sub-alpine 350 watt@2ohms rms
http://sonicelectronix.com/item_1720.html
2subs-alpine 600watts@2ohm rms
http://sonicelectronix.com/item_3733.html
____________________________________
you do not have to choose alpine amps but these two are a couple of many out there that will work, but they stayed within your budget and match up very nicely with those subs... just make sure to match the subs to the amp in ohmic value, if you dont you can damage your equipment if you go to low for the amp and if you go higher than the amp is optimal at you will desire more because the amp is under powering the subs...
other brands to choose, mtx, hifonics, kicker, ect many good brands out there.
swez on 01/8/2006 23:06:16
If you go with a single 12 here, use the 4+4 DVC version. (1242D)That nets 2 ohms and a perfect match for most Class D amps.
If you elect to run a pair of DVC's, the 1222D is the correct choice.
As for an amp, consider Alpine's MRD-301D. Great price here too:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_2584.html
This amp is fine for a single SWS-1242D sub. If you choose a pair of 12's, use the MRD-M605.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3733.html
Swez
t3hnapkin on 01/9/2006 00:03:34
Is it best that i go w/ the same brand amp as woofer?
compvr15s on 01/9/2006 01:51:10
no that really makes no difference, and actaully many companies have woofers that are too powerful for their line of amps, or some woofers will handle more than one woofer.... but i would suggest you go with a solid amp from a reputable maker... if you find a few amps that catch your eye give us a link and we can check them out and direct you in the right direction...
hey swez good thinking we were posting at the same time and we suggested the same products lol thats too funny
well i guess the m301 is a lil better than the amp i suggested, have an adjustable sub sonic filter, good if you decide to go ported in your enclosure...
t3hnapkin on 01/9/2006 02:05:24
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3490.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6276.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4116.html
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=12837
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=13988
those are the ones i looked at and liked aside from the alpine amp. what do u guys think?
compvr15s on 01/9/2006 02:35:23
ttp://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_3490.html
hifonics amp will run two subs great but at 1ohm load, for 2 subs you will need the 4+4 ohm voice coils, parallel/parallel wiring will net 1omh load to amp give 600 watts-300 to each sub.(not class a/b= less efficient than other mono channel amps class d amps)
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_6276.html
mtx amp will run one sub well- 4+4omh sub needed for netted 2omh load.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4116.html
MA audio amp, will also run a single sub setup same voice coils needed as the mtx amp above..
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=12837
bazooka amp-no experience with this amp, says 300 watts at 2 omhs would work fine for a single sub.
thing is everybody uses different input voltages to rate their equipment, when searching for an amp try finding an input around 12-13volts, this is what a normal car's battery and alt will supply to a stereo system, if your car indeed puts out lets say 12.5volts and you hook up an amp that is stated 300 watts@2 ohm with 14.4volts expect a lil less than stated not a real big deal but if you see amps tested on 16-20volts thats obviously alot more than your normal car will supply so expect some power loss there...
swez on 01/9/2006 11:46:04
Alpine, HiFonics, MTX, MA Audio and many others, all make very solid amps. Any that have the RMS power you want, at the right price will do just fine.
If you narrow your choices to 3 amps you are interested in, flip em up on the board and we'll give you some feedback on them. The main thing here, is to match the sub ohmic value to the amps' optimal output power. Most amps will be 2 ohm loads. A few can do 1 ohm loads. Either way, we can still match the amp/sub for optimal output.
Swez
PS It is very funny to see CompVR's post ahead of mine. We posted at about the same time and I did not see his recommendations. Nor, did he see mine. But for the most part, we had very similar recommendations. That rarely happends on this site... it's a good omen when it does happen. SMILE
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