Subwoofer size

MidnightBlade

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I am looking at a pair of shallow mount subs for behind my seat but I can't decide if I want 10's or 12's, they are both 400W RMS, going to be pushed by a 1000W amp on 2 Ohm. They will have the 400W max put to them.

If ya could, let me know the ups and downs of each.
 

redneckaggie

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mods can move it if they like but I will say that the key to any audio system is correct accoustics and box size, I would imagine, naturally that the 12s require a bigger box and you should figure how big of a box you want to put behind the seat before you make the choice, I have two old school kicker cvr 12s behind the seat and if I had the option I would swap to 10s in a heartbeat because a single cab truck just doesnt have the space to house a correct box for 12s... unless they are purpose built for a small box. I have had friends try pioneer shallow mounts and work well with small boxes but I will repeat that wattage, and speaker size is very little of what goes into the final product, accoustics and cu ft is the main part..

I will also say that when dealing with speakers you definately get what you pay for, stick with name brands, off brands can be loud but will not have the same quality sound through all ranges
 

riotwarrior

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Having installed Rockford Fosgate (certified by them to do so) and Orion and Denon and Kenwood along with a few other brands, I feel I can speak to this a little.

First, you need to decide how much space you can afford to give up. Once you have a volume established, you can do the math for the 10, 10's, 12 or 12's. Sometimes less is more especially when you design and build a good box engineered for the speaker in it.

Building it to size of what is required for 1,2,3 however many speakers it can hold is critical. You'll need to take into account the amount of area the speaker takes up in the box. That space cannot be counted in the final calculations. Also the resonant frequency of the sub should work with your size of box.

Then we have either HI or LOW compliance subs, which is it? How about a tuned port, or sealed box.

Lets start with your basics ok, What subs are you speaking about? Brand name and models?

What amp are you talking about? Brand and model?

How much space are we talking about for the Sub?

Is the box going to be made of MDF, Medium Density Fibre board? Plywood? What?

How thick of material? Don't forget we are talking internal volume and don't forget to count in reinforcements etc that take space up in the box.

Or, build a box, hope for best and be done with it!

There is tons more I could go into, these are some basic questions I ask if I am asked to help with an install. Happy to help if I can, let me know


JM2CW
 

jwalterus

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I swear by Kicker Solo-baric subs

go down to your kicker dealer and ask them to demonstrate an 8" L7 for you

I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed, and they'll be comparable to most 10's you'll find, but will hit a helluva lot faster and cleaner
 

riotwarrior

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I swear by Kicker Solo-baric subs

go down to your kicker dealer and ask them to demonstrate an 8" L7 for you

I seriously doubt you'd be disappointed, and they'll be comparable to most 10's you'll find, but will hit a helluva lot faster and cleaner

Kicker makes some nice stuff for sure. I had Alphasonic 8" subs in the rear doors of my old 78 CC and most people had no idea I was only using 8" subs 1 per rear door, I also had a nice pair of 6" mid bass in front doors with a pair 6" 3 way Pioneer's as well in the front doors.

Right now, working on a pair 6 1/2 in the doors, also got two 6x9's in the rear side panels. Wife gave me two 12" Rockford Fosgate subs, but I have no idea how I'll get those worked into the rear...OMG...more freakin math...oh well, gotta sound good right?
 

88beast

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go tens
make a box for 12s
and add that cotton padding to the whole inside of the box
then add some compartments on top for storage
youll be set
my buddy is great with the old school stuff that actually hit like an sob and his key points are the cotton batting and build it a size or 2 bigger than needed that way it gets more base
also the 12s will take up too much space
you said lowpro so i guess its reg cab or youre putting them in a tight spot so smaller is key
 

MidnightBlade

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I have the Box size figured with the speaker depth subtracted to be 1 CU.FT. for the 10's and I didn't get around to the 12's yet. The boxes are going to be sealed MDF.
The 10's http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_18331_Alpine_SWS-1023D.aspx
The 12's http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_18329_Alpine_SWS-1223D.aspx
Not sure If I want 1 or 2 yet.
The amp for 1 sub http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_26091_Alphasonik_PM3002E.aspx
The amp for 2 subs http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_21399_Rockford_Fosgate_R300-4.aspx
 
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BleednBlue68

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Def 10's. There is such thing as too much audio. I got dual 10" subs in a box in my cobra and they are PLENTY! Put a nice component set in there and you will have a sweet system in your truck.
 

dizdak

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i have 2 10" Kicker CVT's behind the rear seat and they are awesome! only require about 4&3/4 deep box and the minimum air space size is .8 cu.ft ... i have a kicker 500 mono amp pushing them and sounds great.. gonna rebuild box soon to get a lil more airspace for them though..
 

h2odrx

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Kicker makes some nice stuff for sure. I had Alphasonic 8" subs in the rear doors of my old 78 CC and most people had no idea I was only using 8" subs 1 per rear door, I also had a nice pair of 6" mid bass in front doors with a pair 6" 3 way Pioneer's as well in the front doors.

Right now, working on a pair 6 1/2 in the doors, also got two 6x9's in the rear side panels. Wife gave me two 12" Rockford Fosgate subs, but I have no idea how I'll get those worked into the rear...OMG...more freakin math...oh well, gotta sound good right?

That sounds like how I want to do mine!;Sweet
 

burtcheca

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I'm old school.
My first question will be: What kind of music you like to listen to?
And then: How do you like to enjoy the kind of music you like?
If the answer to the first question is rap, then I don't have anything to say to you. Those that listen to rap don't have a brain to appreciate what music is really about.
If your answer to first question is jazz or classic (even classic rock) then I can help you. I design and build hi-fi speaker enclosures as my second job (that gives me much more money than farming)
Your answer to second question will help in putting your system together. It's not the same to enjoy your music with quality, definition and depth than to annoy everybody with loud thumps from a block away.
Here you have a couple of pics of systems I built a couple of months ago. The same principles can be adapted to work in the smaller space of your vehicle.
 

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