i listen to mixed music, mostly a lot of classic rock and rap, so what size and number of subs should i be looking for and what would be a good matching amp. also where and which sub enlocures should i look at. thanks

 

Darcwun,
What is your new budget for sub(s) and an amp?

A sealed box will play the lowest frequencies, and will also have the best sound quality, but will not produce a lot of output at the lower frequencies. With the right sub(s), this type of box mixes best with most types of music.

A ported box won't go as low as a sealed, but will produce a lot more output, and still have acceptable Sound Quality if tuned to the right frequency. Ported boxes are much harder to build, and even harder to make sound good.
If you decide you really must have ported, it's best to have a professional build it.

If you're just looking for a drop in box, that will sound good with just about everything, but won't be overly loud without a lot of power, Sealed is the way to go.

I won't even mention bandpass because most bandpass boxes disgust me.

2 10's will give you the best sound quality, with decent low end frequencies and tight, well controlled bass. A Single 12" won't be as loud as 2 10's, will be boomier(but some people like that) and will produce lower frequencies. 2 12's will produce the same sound as a single 12" but at near double the loudness.
A single 10" is usually not enough bass for most people, unless an insane subwoofer is used, so I don't recommend that route.

If someone else has a different opinion please share it, the above is just my opinion.

 

ok i bought 2 Audiobahn High Excursion Subwoofers AW1000X 600 watt rms and i also picked up a custom enclosure. now i need to decide on an amp to power the subs will i need a mono or a dual amp. and what power rating should i look for.

 

What is the impedance of those subs? Are they 6 ohm? If so, you'd need a 1 ohm stable mono amp to power both of them. If you want a 2 channel, you'll just have to wire the subs in parallel and settle for 3 ohms. You'll lose some amplifier power this way, but i think its your only option with 6 ohm subs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=18796
This audiobahn amplifier will be very clean and powerful...Whether its enough to power those subs @ 3 ohms, I don't know, but it's a very good amp for a very good price. Considering its 400 watts x 2 RMS @ 2 ohms, it should do the job nicely.

If you don't care about sound quality and just want raw power, check out the JBL BP600.1, and 1200.1

 

here is some info on those subs

PHAT 2” Foam Surround
Non- Pressed, Non-Transfer Paper Cone
KM3’ Coated for Virtually No Cone Distortion
Dual 4 Ohm
2 Ohm or 8 Ohm Operation
Multi-connect Lug Lock Terminals

so should it be a mono or a 2 channel amp. Thanks for all the help Cam94Z28, i really dont know much about car audio and your posts have been a big help.

 

Get 2 amps... 2 JBL 600.1's or something. Run each sub in a @ ohm config.

Im sure people will disagree with me, but subs ran at a 2 ohm load with an amp on each one sounds awesome. Weve done it plenty of times in our shop.

JBL makes a really really good amp. I am really impressed with them. Audiobahn subs require power. The JBL's will definately deliver.

Sorry my posts are so short. Id like to help out alot more. Just been really busy at work!

Steven

 

Darcwun,
No problem. I don't know that much either, but I even surprise myself sometimes
I've pretty much learned everything on my own, the hard way, with my own system.

With 2 - 4 ohm DVC subs, your only options with a mono amp are:
Wire in Series - 4 ohms at the amp
Wire in Parallel - 1 ohm at the amp

To do this you'd internally wire both subs in either series or parallel, then connect both subwoofers to the only channel on the mono amp. This would require a 1 ohm stable amplifier if you were to wire in Parallel. There is really no point in having a mono amp if you can't run it at the lowest resistance possible. They cost more, and that's just wasted power.

With a 2 channel amp, if you wire each sub internally in one of the above configurations, then connect the subs to separate channels on the same amplifier your options are:

Wire in Series - 8 ohms at the amp per channel
Wire in Parallel - 2 ohms at the amp per channel

So a 2 channel amp with your subs wired in Parallel is your best bet, and will yield the most power for the least amount of money.

If you want to take skmoores recommendation, ask him for more info since i've never run a separate amp for each sub.

I still have to recommend the Audiobahn amp i showed you earlier, over the JBL.

skmoore21,
Seeing as you work at a store, maybe you can clear up the myth about those JBL amps. I've heard too many stories of them either being defective right off the bat, or shorting out the first time the amp heated up from the bottom plate warping and shorting out the board. It doesen't seem like JBL has the same quality control as Audiobahn and other good brands.

 

Ill see if I can help here...

The JBL amps had a problem when they first introduced the PowerValve amps. They did have a problem of overheating and stuff. A few years ago they did a recall of all the ones that we had and sent us new ones. We didnt have any problems with them after that. Well, I take that back. There is a problem that I know of. JBL amps have a voltage sensing unit in it. Basically, if the car drops below 11 volts (I think) the JBL amp turns itself off. So if you dont have a capacitor or big alternator, it could possible shut itself off.

The JBL amp is supposed to be stable at 1 ohm. I wouldnt really trust that though. The JBL doesnt gain any power from 1ohm vs 2ohm. So I would play it safe and run 2 amps.

Hooking up 2 amps is just like hooking up one. You can run either one power wire to a distribution block or run 2 seperate power wires. Then you could just get a Y adaptor to split your RCA wires so each amp has a set going in.

Theres a lot of different things you could do.

The Audiobahn amps are pretty nice too. Cam94Z28 is right when saying that a 2 channel amp would be your best bet for your 2 subs if you want to use 1 amp.

Personally Id do two. But each person has preferences

If you have any other questions let me know!

Steven

 

yeah i think i will get the audiobahn 2 channel amp A8002T. although its underpowered for the subs i got but it is a great bang for the buck. i will just plug in by subs into each channel and run them at 2 ohms.

so this is my list of stuff purchased so far

4 NEW Pioneer REV TS-D160R 6-1/2" Speakers

NEW SONY XM-460GTX 600W 4Ch CAR AMPLIFIER

NEW Pioneer DEH-P5500MP MP3 Player with
Scosche MDA1 Antenna Adapter
Scosche GM02 Car Stereo Wiring Harness
Scosche GM1517 Car Stereo Installation Kit

AUDIOBAHN A8002T 800WATT 2-CH AMP with installation kit.

2 Audiobahn High Excursion Subwoofers AW1000X

Custom DUAL 10" CAMARO SUB ENCLOSURE BOX

total cost so far $750. now to figure out what else i need to complete the installation. And i hope to god this system work out good, so much money has been spent.

 

DarcWun,
Thats about what I spent on my system, I just bought it in pieces over time. It sure seems like more if you buy it all at once.

I do know that Audiobahn, as well as MTX and a few other quality brands, underrate their amplifiers. My MTX Blue Thunder Pro 150 x 2 amplifier for example ended up being underrated by 59 watts per channel, and thats only at 12.5 volts. So I actually have 209 x 2 RMS @ 2 ohms.

I'm not sure to what degree Audiobahn does this, but that amp should definately be underrated.

I assume you still have to buy a amp install kit since the Audiobahn i showed you on ebay for $165 does not include one. You will definately need 4 gauge power and ground(or larger) and quality RCA cables to power that amp.

This first one is the one i recommend, the others are just for comparison. KnuKonceptz has some really nice wire with high strand counts. The included RCA cables have a remote turn on lead built right into them, so you won't have to run both wires separately. They also look to be atleast as good or better quality than the Monster Cable Interlink RCA's I have now....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3068065792

This amp install kit looks pretty nice for being a generic brand, and a good value too.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=32808

I bought this next one for my step neices car, and it worked pretty well....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=32808

 

ok i need 2 of these amp install kits, some high quallty rca wires. will i need to rewire the speaker cables or will i be able to use the stock ones. If i have to get speaker wire how many feet and what gauge should i get.

 

Your stock speakers will use a molded plug, i believe, and will be like 24 gauge wire. It would be best to run new wires, but if you just have the basic
(not monsoon) system, you probably don't need to. You'll just have to cut the factory plug off the end of the factory speaker wires and put new ends on them to use your aftermarket speakers.

Actually, you won't need two of those amplifier kits(the amp kits come with one set of RCA's also) If you buy a fused power distribution block, and non fused ground distribution block(both 4 gauge input and 2 or 4 - 8 gauge outputs), you can use one set of power and ground wires and split the signal to 2 amps. You would need some 8 gauge power and ground wire to run from the distribution blocks to your amps. You would also need 3 sets of RCA Cables, unless your head unit doesen't have 3 sets of RCA outputs, then you'll need 2 sets of RCA cables, and a y splitter to split the 2 Front Channel RCA's into 4.

KnuKonceptz has their 8 gauge Blue Kollossus wire(which is the same series the kit comes with, but in 8 gauge) for .45 cents/ft so that shouldnt be a problem buying extra. Unfortunately, they don't have any of the Klassic RCA's(included with the amp kit) sold separately on ebay, so you'll have to get them from their site. If your head unit has 3 sets of preouts, you will need 2 more of these....
http://www.knukonceptz.com/detail.asp?product_id=KLS5M

That is an amazing price for RCA's of that grade. You'd pay more than that for Wal-Mart basic Generic RCA's.

I would buy your distribution blocks and accessories from knukonceptz as well, either under their ebay seller id "knukonceptz.com" or at their website www.knukonceptz.com
I plan on getting a new car soon, and I'll definately be using them for all of my wiring needs.

I know this sounds confusing, but once you actually do it the first time, it will become second nature. Make sure all of the extra power/ground wire and RCA's you buy are of the same series though. Buy all Klassic series RCA's if thats what the amp kit comes with, and Kolossus Power/Ground if thats what the amp kit comes with, for example.

 

Ok, here is my KnuKonceptz list. I hope i have all that i need. Cam94Z28 could you look this over and see if the list is complete. thanks

Complete 4 Gauge 4 Channel Amplifier Installation
$36.00

BC-1428 Kompression Fuse Distribution Block
$9.99

PB-1448 Power Distribution Block
$6.00

Kolossus Kable 8 Gauge Silver Power Wire
$0.45 15 ft = $6.75

Karma 16AWG Speaker Kable
$0.30 40 ft = $12.00

Klassic Konnect 5 Meter RCA Kable
$7.00 2X = $14.00

Klassic Konnectz Y Adapter 1M2F RCA Kable
$2.50 2X = $5.00

 

Looks like the only difference between the 2 channel and 4 channel 4 gauge kit is that the 4 channel includes 2 sets of RCA's, and maybe some other small misc things. The 2 channel was only $28 i believe. I think it would be about the same cost no matter which one you get, but if you go for the 4 channel, you only need one additional set of RCA's.

Go ahead and get distribution blocks with 4 outputs. This way if you ever wanted to install a stiffening capacitor later, you'll have a 3rd output for it. I did not realize knukonceptz does not have a fused distribution block with 4 8 gauge outputs. If you ever want to add a capacitor you're going to want 4 8 gauge outputs. Your amp install kit will have a inline 80 amp fuse right at the battery, so you don't really need a fused distribution block. Just make sure the plastic panel stays covering it once you have it wired. I am using a non fused distribution block and haven't had any trouble with it.

It looks like the distribution block you selected uses a Kompression 4 gauge input, I don't know what a Kompression input is. So you'll be better off with two of the PB-1448's. This way you can use an allen wrench to tighten the set screws on the wires.

If you go with the 4 gauge 4 channel kit, your new list should look like this, I added model numbers to make sure you get the right items...

KOLAK-44 - Complete 4 Gauge 4 Channel Amplifier Installation Kit
$36.00

PB-1448 - Power Distribution Block
2 x $6.00 = $12.00

KOL8BL - Kolossus Kable 8 Gauge Blue Power Wire
$0.45 x 8 ft = $3.60

KOL8S - Kolossus Kable 8 guage Silver Ground Wire
$0.45 x 8ft - $3.60

Karma 16AWG Speaker Kable
x 0 = You should not need any extra speaker wire, 20 ft of 12 gauge (bigger wire) is included in the kit and should be plenty.

KLS5M - Klassic Konnect 5 Meter RCA Kable
$7.00 = Two are included in the 4 gauge 4 channel amplifier kit, so you only need one additional for the subwoofer amp.

KLS1M2F - Klassic Konnectz Y Adapter 1M2F RCA Kable
$2.50 x 0 = I do not know why you need any of these, won't you be running 3 sets of RCA's directly from your head unit to your amps?
Your head unit has 3 sets of RCA outputs, so I don't know why you need this.

FD1263BK - 1/4" Female Quick Disconnects for 12AWG-Black
$0.50 x 2 = $1.00

FD1263R - 1/4" Female Quick Disconnects for 12AWG-Red
$0.50 x 2 = $1.00
You will need the above to connect to your speakers. I would wait till you have the speakers before you order these since the speakers may have one large and one small terminal. In that case, these will only work on one side of the speaker.

ST88R - Gold Plated 8 Gauge Crimp Spade Terminal #8 Red
0.65

ST88BK - Gold Plated 8 Gauge Crimp Spade Terminal #8 Black
0.65
I'm not sure if each of the above include one or two terminals, You need two of each, so maybe you should email them. The above are power and ground crimp terminals to connect both of your amplifiers. The kit comes with 4 gauge terminals so those won't work.

The amplifier install kit includes 20 ft of 12 gauge speaker wire, 20ft of Kolossus Blue 4 gauge Power Wire, 3ft of 4 gauge Kolossus Silver Ground wire, 2 - 5 meter(roughly 17ft) Klassic Konnect RCA Cables, Inline Fuse holder with fuse, and misc wiring terminals.

You should only need about 4ft-8ft of extra Power and ground to go from the distribution block to each amp. The Blue wire should be used as power, and the Silver wire as ground.

The new list above should be everything you need. If any readers think otherwise, please comment.
I know that sounds expensive for wiring, but you have to understand, that if you walked into a local chain store, a single quality 2 channel install kit would cost you $60-90, would not include any distribution blocks, and still wouldnt be as high quality as the kit you are buying.

If you need any other last minute install accessories your local best buy or circuit city should have them, but they'll be near double what you can get them for at KnuKonceptz.