Audio install quote -- need advice

[maxentropy]

Hey guys, just want two 10s in the back for more bass. For anyone that doesn't know I've got a fully loaded 3.5 with the bose obviously. I'm only adding two 10s and an amp as the bose system handles the mids and highs extremely well. Again, all I want is two 10s and an amp-- nothing competition wise but something with bump and with a bass control knob in the front for amplifier control.

Here's what I was quoted today:

Dual Rockford P110s in a ported box (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_5...p=112)Rockford R500.1 AmpHigh/Low converter (supposedly for Bose compatibility)all the wiring/install/etc

$650 installed

Comments? I believe the P110s are entry level rockfords... but will they do the job?
Modified by maxentropy at 3:33 PM 6/29/2009

[SilkySmoove]

Whats the price breakdown? For that price you can do better than what you have listed. Also, why two 10's instead of maybe a single 12 or 10 that would own those two P1's???? And not to mention the space you would save having a single sub instead of two.

[AppleBonker]

Based on the fact that you want a ported box, I'm guessing you're looking at something more boomy rather than clean. Two subs would make more sense in this application, as two tens will get louder than a single comparable 12 (even a better 12 at the price point of two tens - though the single sub would likely sound better).

Personally, I'd save up a touch more and go with a vastly better setup. If you can handle the install yourself (it's really not that hard), and maybe build your own box (again, not that hard) you can make out a ton better.

Quick check:

Image Dynamics ID10D4 V.3 = $160 (woofersetc.) x2Sundown Audio SAZ-1000D = $355 (soundsolutionsaudio)

Add in wiring costs and parts for a box, and you'd be looking closer to ~$800 (maybe 850) but this will destroy the RF setup. There are certainly other options, but this is the first that came to my mind...

[maxentropy]

Thanks for the info guys. I definitely don't care what the subs are in... but I am about quality and not quantity - although I'm not looking to enter shows for sound. As you both may know I am a dj and my music is VERY important to me. The bose can handle what I need for highs/mids but I NEED my bass!

Keep in mind the bose system doesn't get ridiculously loud, but it does have good quality for as loud as it goes.

Need me two 10s that will pound and an amp that will supply them and I don't wanna spend a fortune.

[rjdmmfl1]

Based on the fact that you want a ported box, I'm guessing you're looking at something more boomy rather than clean. Two subs would make more sense in this application, as two tens will get louder than a single comparable 12 (even a better 12 at the price point of two tens - though the single sub would likely sound better).

Personally, I'd save up a touch more and go with a vastly better setup. If you can handle the install yourself (it's really not that hard), and maybe build your own box (again, not that hard) you can make out a ton better.

Quick check:

Image Dynamics ID10D4 V.3 = $160 (woofersetc.) x2Sundown Audio SAZ-1000D = $355 (soundsolutionsaudio)

Add in wiring costs and parts for a box, and you'd be looking closer to ~$800 (maybe 850) but this will destroy the RF setup. There are certainly other options, but this is the first that came to my mind...

I love it when my audio partner in crime chimes in with good responses...

I agree regarding the Rockford setup above.. not a very good setup at all.. those are all Rockford's bottom of the line products...

honestly, Rockford doesn't really make a good SQ subwoofer IMO... I have their 12" T2, and it gives nice boomy bass in a ported box, but doesn't have the SQ or response of Applebonker's UL12

But for bass, Rockford's bread and butter is their power series amps... the sundown amp above is a great amp, comparable to Rockford's T1500-1bd amp which does about 700, 1100, and 1600 watts RMS (don't look at the published numbers)

So, if you are willing to stick to 1 woofer, with good SQ.. you could do...

JL audio 10" W6 with their JL audio 500/1 amp (500 watts RMS)

or

Image Dynamics 10" with sundown audio SAZ-1000D amp (1000 watts RMS) or you could go with the Rockford Power T1500-1bd amp with the Image Dynamics Sub

I think you should let us know if SQ or SPL is what you're after... you're a Dj so Im guessing you want SQ... and if so, I'd go with the Sundown Amp and Image Dynamics woofer!

[maxentropy]

I think you should let us know if SQ or SPL is what you're after... you're a Dj so Im guessing you want SQ... and if so, I'd go with the Sundown Amp and Image Dynamics woofer!

Definitely more SQ than SPL-- but like I mentioned it does not have to be amazing SQ...

Perhaps mentioning my old setup may help-- in my old saturn I had dual audiobahn 10" ported box with a Hifonics Zeus 7500 amp. It was nice, but I'd like a bit more SQ and SPL from this new setup-- both equally so.

Thanks guys, really want to get a sub soon so keep the suggestions coming-- I really need my bass!

[rjdmmfl1]

Definitely more SQ than SPL-- but like I mentioned it does not have to be amazing SQ...

Perhaps mentioning my old setup may help-- in my old saturn I had dual audiobahn 10" ported box with a Hifonics Zeus 7500 amp. It was nice, but I'd like a bit more SQ and SPL from this new setup-- both equally so.

Thanks guys, really want to get a sub soon so keep the suggestions coming-- I really need my bass!

OK, IMO the perfect balance between SQ and SPL wil come with either a riduclously expensive 12" subwoofer that can perform well in a sealed box (critical mass UL12) or two 10's. I gave you the setup early based on 1 10" sub... two of either of the subs I recommended will cost you a bit more than you probably want to spend... remember, you're gonna lose a bit of SQ with a ported box, but you gain SPL... so if SQ is more important, I honestly think 2 x JL W3's or 2 x W6's will be more than enough for what you need... which setup you go with will depend on whether or not you want to have "stupid bass" every now and then... I know I do .. if that's the case ,I would go with the 2 x JL audio 10" W6's and the Jl audio 1000.1 amp.... I doubt you'd ever need to change again...

that's if you want to stick to the more commercial brand... but to be honest.. I think Image Dynamics and Sundown are better quality for the price! NOt that JL doesn't make good subs and amps, they just tend to be overpriced

[maxentropy]

Cool thanks doc.

Doc, do me a quick favor. Go to the link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlvLwLv1f4&fmt=18

Listen to the tune until after :50 in when it hits. That's some heavy bass and I want to hear all frequencies but also I want that shiat going through me like I'm getting kicked in the chest. Hear me bro?

I also listen to slow hip hop on the other end of the bass spectrum but this new prodigy cd will rape subwoofers and I want a pair of 10's that'll handle it and then some.

Whatdya say?

[rjdmmfl1]

Cool thanks doc.

Doc, do me a quick favor. Go to the link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWlvLwLv1f4&fmt=18

Listen to the tune until after :50 in when it hits. That's some heavy bass and I want to hear all frequencies but also I want that shiat going through me like I'm getting kicked in the chest. Hear me bro?

I also listen to slow hip hop on the other end of the bass spectrum but this new prodigy cd will rape subwoofers and I want a pair of 10's that'll handle it and then some.

Whatdya say?

just listened to that.. I'll give it a listen in the car later... I'd say , if you really want to hear those bass runs being reproduced correctly, 2 x 10" W6's should be plenty...

[maxentropy]

just listened to that.. I'll give it a listen in the car later... I'd say , if you really want to hear those bass runs being reproduced correctly, 2 x 10" W6's should be plenty...

Nice! It's toned bass (I guess thats the best way to describe it). My current bose "back subs aka 6x9s"-- (haha what a bunch of bs) can't handle it.

Any places I should look for two W6's that you all recommend? And for the Amp? I know you guys know where the best deals are at and I appreciate the help!!

[maxentropy]

Also, one 10" JL W6 or two?

Does it matter if I get a JL W6v1 or a JL W6v2? Is there any newer versions than 2?

Would you recommend going for a 10" JL W7?

[AppleBonker]

2 10's will get louder than 1 (obviously). 2 12's will be louder than 10's and hit deeper, but would likely get a bit sloppier. I'll have to check the link later (can't at work), but depending on how deep your bass goes, you might benefit from one or two 12's (though this will get more complicated to fit into our tiny trunk).

Specialized car audio forums (I'm not going to link to them here) generally have excellent for sale sections. JL W6's are not as common (most enthusiasts go for less well-known brands), but you might be able to find a used set. Either that or something like IDMAX (Image Dynamics). Both of those are excellent SQ woofers that wont destroy your bank too bad. Going used can generally net amazing products on the cheap.

[rjdmmfl1]

Also, one 10" JL W6 or two?

Does it matter if I get a JL W6v1 or a JL W6v2? Is there any newer versions than 2?

Would you recommend going for a 10" JL W7?

No, I'm not a fan of JL W7's at all.... by design, they are sloppy subs purely meant for SPL, not SQ!

as Applebonker said, most audio nuts go with less well known (but higher quality) companies... the average person doesn't know about Focal, dynaudio, image dynamics, Hertz, Rainbow Audio, Zapco, audison (just to name a few) but EVERYONE in the car audio world knows those names...

JL audio is like the McDonalds of car audio... they spend a lot of money on advertising and brand recognition as well as a diverse array of products... but they fail at doing any one thing perfect!

the smaller companies spend more money on product development, and have just a few products, but they are da*n good! Its like In-N-Out burger vs burger king... (west coast folks know about In-N-Out)

anyway, I agree with what Applebonker said... unfortunately for you (and the rest of us) you have to really hear the setup and play different types of music that you would normally listen to in order to really be happy...

Applebonker and I could make suggestions all day long, but its hard to know EXACTLY what you want... only your ears know that!

[AppleBonker]

True, and don't think Doc and I are knocking JL. They do make excellent stuff, though I tend to think it is priced a bit high (but again, you can do that with brand recognition).

As far as the v2 or v1, I'm not sure exactly what was changed. I'd go with the v2s unless you can find a killer deal on the v1s.

Side note: mmmm... In-N-Out

[maxentropy]

Let's make this simple;

My old Amp was a Hifonics Zeus ZX7500 (ratings were not BS like most other amps, this was the true RMS):2 x 250W RMS @ 4 ohmsFuse: 80AMin Frequency Response 10 Hz Max Frequency Response 30 KHz

MY old ported dual 10" Audiobahn speaker enclosure (ABP10T):Dual 10" Molded, Texture Injected Poly Cone 30 oz. Strontium Magnet 2" 4 Layer ASV Voice Coil Power Handeling: 400 Watts RMS Sensitivity: 101dB Frequency Response: 30Hz-150Hz Impedance: 4 Ohm

How do these stack up to today's subs/amps? Would you recommend to just dust this amp and subs off and put them in my altima?


Modified by maxentropy at 5:34 PM 7/9/2009

[maxentropy]

See updated post above.


Modified by maxentropy at 5:32 PM 7/9/2009

[maxentropy]

Could someone give me an idea of how decent the amp and subs I listed are in my post above?

I'm wondering if my old audiobahn subwoofers and hifonics amp is still decent compared to todays stuff.

[rjdmmfl1]

Could someone give me an idea of how decent the amp and subs I listed are in my post above?

I'm wondering if my old audiobahn subwoofers and hifonics amp is still decent compared to todays stuff.

ok, well to be honest(and I think Applebonker would agree) alot of older stuff was designed for raw power... they may not have the most advanced circuitry , cooling methods, etc.. but they produced raw power... my old Rockford fosgate punch 70 amp pushed a system that was louder than my current Rockford setup.... and it was only suppose to be producing 75 watts x 2 ...

for Hifonics, that company went through an overhaul just like MB Quart... so the older hifonics amps, for what they were, were decent amps... the newer stuff, not so much...

Max, its VERY HARD to compare older setups to current setups... but in regards to whether you should scrap it all and start over, i say no....

if you want to be economically conservative, then the best thing to do is to try to achieve a good sound with the equipment you already have... thus, keep the amps and the subs, put them into your car, and see how it sounds.... just be sure to pay for and get 0/gauge power and ground wires... why? well because, you'll need power and ground anyway, and if after listening to your setup,. you decide that it isn't enough, you can always upgrade to bigger amps and subs, and you'll already have the right power ground wires ran...

so try to see if this setup sounds good... if it does, you're fine... if you decide its not enough, then come back, and then we can go from there... you may lose time, but you could save money by doing it this way...

in car audio, the more you get into it, the more NOTHING will ever 100% satisfy you..... careful coming on down this road... Applebonker and I are at the point of no return.. don't be another victim of the never ending battle against car audio

[Blood1]

Sorry if off topic but hell yeah, the old stuff back in the day (10+yrs ago) rocked! I had in HS:89 Accord 2DoorJVC 742Infinity Kappas all around 3-wayDual 10" Kenwood bandpass enclosure100x4 Sherwood AMP (yes Sherwood THD was .001% that's why)MTX 2150 (Rated 75x2 but much much more power...)1.5 Farrad and a Crossover unit...

This system blew away all my friends in terms of SQ clarity. In the HS day most idiots would just get a new HU, the largest, heaviest Sub box and most powerful amp, put that sh1t i their trunk and hook it up to their stock hu and stock speakers. Yes you could hear them a few blocks away but dam it sounded like

But anyway getting to the power point, that MTX 2150 was only supposed to be 75Watts x 2 channel but I had it powering my 10" subs even a 12" pair and it was LOUD.

Ahh the good ol days. I loved that system for a while till it was stolen @ college during physics night class.