Subwoofer Spec Help

99Vtec · Nov 19, 2011

So I blew my subs. I had a cheap pair of 12" Sony Xplodes with the matching amp. Heres my problem, I can't seem to figure out all this stuff about ohms, frequency response, and sensitivity as to how it relates to the sound. Also, does it really make a big difference as to if the subs are pointing towards the rear of the car, or towards the front of it?

I did some looking around and got some of my questions answered, but these are the ones that I'm unclear on. I want some subs that sound tight, and have a nice punch while listening to rock and metal, yet they have the capability to pump out some dubstep.

As for brand I was considering either Rockford Fosgate or Kenwood, I don't really know who makes the best subwoofers.

I was considering some of these, would any of them get the job done?

Kenwood KFC-W3013PS- http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113W30...earch=Kenwood+VENDORID113&tp=111#overview-tab

Alpine SWE-1243- http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SWE...p=1&nvpair=FFCategory|[rank500]Car+Subwoofers

Rockford Fosgate R250-2x12- http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R25...p=1&nvpair=FFCategory|[rank500]Car+Subwoofers

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure i get something that I'll be satisfied with before I put the money into it.
Thanks for any help!

lashlee · Nov 20, 2011

Alot of the specs that you will read will seem like gibberish and unless you want to determine how a given driver will perform in a given enclosure than you don't need to worry about it. You need to make sure that the subs you are buying will yield the same impedance of the ones that you are replacing, as long as everything else stays the same.

SVC vs DVC is generally a matter of choice with DVC's giving the opportunity to wire them in various ways to match a given amp.

Brand matters only to a certain extent. Build quality matters more than the name on the cone. I prefer beefy subs since they will withstand the abuse I may give to them.

Power will help with making the sub give you the output that you want CLEANLY. The biggest killer of a speaker, regardless of size, is distortion. A small amp that is running at the end of it's power capacity will have a higher distortion than a big amp running in the middle of it's power capacity.

Enclosure is where the characteristics that you desire will be made up. Certain drivers are designed around certain enclosures and some will work in many types: Ported, Sealed and Bandpass

Ported: generally has the highest specific output. A certain "tuning frequency" will be louder than the others around it. This can be a fatiguing if the tuning is wrong or if the enclosure is designed incorrectly. Can be modest size to huge. Easy to blow the speaker since the amp is responsible for controlling the cone.

Sealed: generally is the "smoothest" response. It will sound good with most types of music . Generally the smallest available size of enclosure, and offer the most woofer protection since the inner air helps control the cone.

Bandpass: a mix of the two above. Generally considered "one note" enclosures. Very complicated to build and tune and can be modest sized to huge.

I would look into what a local shop can show you since they will have the same driver in multiple different enclosures so that you can find a sound that fits you. Variations on all specs of each enclosure can help or hurt the sound. Extra power can let you use a smaller enclosure where as a bigger enclosure will let you use less power. It can be much more complicated but let me know if anything doesn't make sense or if you have more questions. I've had many different types and brands of subs over the years and they do sound different. Just give them a listen and see what you think.

99amgc43 · Nov 20, 2011

what model number is your amp? Is it monoblock or 2 channel? I dont listen to rock or metal, only rap and rnb, so my opinion would be based on that type of music. I think rock you will need a ported box tuned to a higher hertz, i think 38 hertz and above

99Vtec · Nov 21, 2011

lashlee said:
Alot of the specs that you will read will seem like gibberish and unless you want to determine how a given driver will perform in a given enclosure than you don't need to worry about it. You need to make sure that the subs you are buying will yield the same impedance of the ones that you are replacing, as long as everything else stays the same.

SVC vs DVC is generally a matter of choice with DVC's giving the opportunity to wire them in various ways to match a given amp.

Brand matters only to a certain extent. Build quality matters more than the name on the cone. I prefer beefy subs since they will withstand the abuse I may give to them.

Power will help with making the sub give you the output that you want CLEANLY. The biggest killer of a speaker, regardless of size, is distortion. A small amp that is running at the end of it's power capacity will have a higher distortion than a big amp running in the middle of it's power capacity.

Enclosure is where the characteristics that you desire will be made up. Certain drivers are designed around certain enclosures and some will work in many types: Ported, Sealed and Bandpass

Ported: generally has the highest specific output. A certain "tuning frequency" will be louder than the others around it. This can be a fatiguing if the tuning is wrong or if the enclosure is designed incorrectly. Can be modest size to huge. Easy to blow the speaker since the amp is responsible for controlling the cone.

Sealed: generally is the "smoothest" response. It will sound good with most types of music . Generally the smallest available size of enclosure, and offer the most woofer protection since the inner air helps control the cone.

Bandpass: a mix of the two above. Generally considered "one note" enclosures. Very complicated to build and tune and can be modest sized to huge.

I would look into what a local shop can show you since they will have the same driver in multiple different enclosures so that you can find a sound that fits you. Variations on all specs of each enclosure can help or hurt the sound. Extra power can let you use a smaller enclosure where as a bigger enclosure will let you use less power. It can be much more complicated but let me know if anything doesn't make sense or if you have more questions. I've had many different types and brands of subs over the years and they do sound different. Just give them a listen and see what you think.

Alright, thanks. I was hoping to keep my sealed enclosure and just replace the 12's and amp. I was also considering taking my car down to Sound Depot and seeing what they could hook me up with.

99amgc43 said:
what model number is your amp? Is it monoblock or 2 channel? I dont listen to rock or metal, only rap and rnb, so my opinion would be based on that type of music. I think rock you will need a ported box tuned to a higher hertz, i think 38 hertz and above

Im not sure, ill have to look it up later on when i have the time. Its just the cheap amp that came with red sony xplod subs. i think the subs are like 900 peak power if i remember correctly. i don't remember about the amp.

hondatech03 · Nov 21, 2011

check out this box at supercrew sound

I like alpine the best. The type-e's are good, but, if you want that punch get the type-r's. you will need a better amp, and, like lashlee said its better to have to have room to work with

99amgc43 · Nov 22, 2011

hondatech03 said:
check out this box at supercrew sound

I like alpine the best. The type-e's are good, but, if you want that punch get the type-r's. you will need a better amp, and, like lashlee said its better to have to have room to work with

that box might look nice, but .8 cu ft isnt enough for a sub to sound good... youre better off making a box and having a beauty panel made to fit the trunk and obtain the same look but much better sound

hondatech03 · Nov 23, 2011

maybe idk. I would go to a good custom audio shop.

99accord boi · Nov 23, 2011

for rock id deff reccomend a sealed enclosure and same for dubstep
as for actual speaker u should get should be based on the rms rating on ur amp

99amgc43 · Nov 30, 2011

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_09133V1/Focal-Polyglass-33-V1.html?tp=111 i got a pair of these brand new never used, selling for $150 each plus shipping, good SQ subs pm if interested

99Vtec · Dec 3, 2011

Alright, thanks for the advice. I just so happened to stop by pep boys and found a set on sale. I ended up getting the whole Kicker set, front and back speakers and two 12" subs for $175! They were the displays and I was told that if they didn't work I could bring em back, so i figured i didn't have much to lose.