lithium

just build a new box

it could be that what you perceived as loudness was panel flex and resonance. other causes could be a loose ground, loose connections (rca, power, etc) you could try moving the box around the trunk. for example, in my car my sub was loudest when it was about 4 inches from the trunk lid. try aiming in different directions as well.

just curious, are you planning to use mlv under the carpet?

i dont compete so i dont know the rules or whatever the requirements might be. the correct equipment can help but install is everything, perhaps more so for competitions. first thing you would want to do is figure out what your useable space is. i see you mentioned some dimensions above. the next step would be to find out the net volume of such an enclosure. this will tell you which subwoofers will fit, i would assume you would go with a pair of 15s or 18s. next you would want to figure out how much power your going to run. it sounds like you will have a decent electrical system to back things up. i dont know enough to say you can safely run XXX amount of watts. last step would be choosing equipment that will meet your goals and taste. You have SSA icons on your list. they're are a great subwoofer but they are not exactly designed for competing. however, you could still post good numbers in the correct install. Something more along the lines of a Fi BL would seem to fit with your goals more. I think you could save some cash by getting some used amp(s) and subs. idk about the DC or PSI subs and i would pass on anything skar. The Dcon is not a match for the power your running, assuming your serious about running ~4000 watts as you said above. Icons would sound nice but you would have to be careful with that kind of power, really no point in putting more the rated to any sub on a daily basis. SSA Xcon would be good choice if you like the Icon but need more power handling, from what i've heard. Fi has some good subs that might work for you. Fi Bl or BTL are more in line with your goals. Sundown SA would only work, with the power your running, if you ran 3-4 subs.

But he mentioned he would like to compete also. he could compete, who knows how well he would do.. doubling power is only 3db gain, theoretically.

your planning to run double the rated power to the Icon? lets start over here. you need to format this post better so we can attempt to help you. give this a read please,

just measure the length down the center of the port.

how is the subwoofer amp getting signal?

I would have contacted Don again. he gets a ton of emails and possibly just missed yours. A second lay of CDL will not be very effective on the hardtop. You need a barrier like MLV or similar product to block noise from entering the cabin. I would pass on the spectrum. Apply CLD to the flat surfaces of the doors, wheel wells, floor, etc. Then apply mlv to create a barrier. Check out the SSA Mazda install. notice there wasn't very much cdl used compared to mlv.

i like tirefryr's recommendation more but here's another. http://www.ebay.com/itm/XA250-2-BLACK-AMP-CADENCE-2-CHANNEL-1000W-CLASS-AB-SUB-SUBWOOFERS-BASS-AMPLIFIER-/120790082260?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item1c1fa662d4#ht_5413wt_954 claims 500@ 4ohm 13.8v curious if it does rated. i have a cadence zrs 2002, which is a higher end model iirc, and its very solid.

the Poll thread is probably not the greatest idea, its just popularity contest. what we need to know is what exactly your goals are. are you expecting a single 12" on 1200watts to keep up with your old Fi BL? that probably wont happen. its even possible that your sub stage wasn't the problem in your previous install. perhaps you had the BL playing to high or your frontstage was lacking, which gave the impression the subwoofer was to blame. you mentions the bl had problems keeping up? with what exactly? which songs?

if you have the money for SSD's then you should add the Xcon to your list.

installed a Icon 12 in a ported enclosure in my bro's sentra. really great sounding subwoofer. it doesn't sound like the Fi Q is your style of subwoofer. its a great sub but it just sounds like your looking for something with more output.

there's much better value in buying used/refurb gear. i would check out db-r.com. there's a used SAE 1200d that would be awesome. there are some other amps listed in the clearance section that might work for you as well. have you already purchased the sub? i would recommend that you go with a dual 2 ohm option next time. however you choice allows you to add a 2nd sub later on. the sundown amp is probably one of the more solid amps you'll get for the money. other options would be mb quarts 1000d or 1500d. Also, precision power seems to be making some nice amps recently.

that's probably for bridging. the manual can be found on the AP website, it doesn't say if those outputs can be used to send fullrange signal to another amp. just that they are used for bridging. check the other amp for rca outs or you will just have to split the signal with more y-spliters. edit: i is dumb

mine does too much damage to the electric bill while powered up just half the day functions as my heater during the winter haha

no reason to tune that low for a daily setup

thats why i recommended a 4 channel amp to you, front 2 channels on the components and the other 2 channels bridged to the dcon. well within your budget. if you not willing to amp the speakers then get some cheap coax. no point in spending 100 on components if your not going to amp them.

sounds like a noise issue. there's a detailed trouble shooting guide here http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/forum/topic/35027-noise-troubleshooting-guide/

throw on a grille like this, http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=262-866, and try aiming the box in different directions. only way to find out which direction is best. rule of thumbs are useless in car audio, you have to experiment with everything. as for ported, i would wait for now until you max out your current install before making serious changes.

His email load is actually greater then mine, which is insane to think about. But if you have not heard back by Monday, shoot him another email as I know he works quite hard to catch up to emails. he got back to me today. considering how much works he puts into just his emails alone its hard to imagine that he has time to ship anything out. Don is up at 4am pretty much everyday, and cranks all day long. RedBull fuels SDS. wow, is SDS a side business/job for don or does he do it full time?

I'd insist on a phone conversation, a full address and drivers license number. Of course that is needed for title transfer anyways. Then you can find out if its real rather easy. i'm pretty sure it's a scam. thought you guys might get a good laugh out of it. My dad has shown it to a few people already, im sure it will get sold locally soon.

my dad is selling my grandmothers RV this is an email he got from someone. sketchy? > Thanks for your response, I am quite okay with your price, I need you > to understand that I am willing and ready to purchase it right away, > put it off the AD site, consider me as your favorite buyer, and Please > note that I have a shipper/mover who handles my shipping arrangement > anywhere in the world,he would be coming for the pickup, after you > have received payment, which would be through paypal, If this is > acceptable, advice soon as I am an hydrographer and I am buying this > for my son,I am at work right now .I can only pay through pay pal at > the moment as I do not have access to my bank account online,but I > have it attached to my pay pal account, and this is why I insisted on > using pay pal to pay,all I will need is your paypal email address to > make the payments,and if you do not have a pay pal account yet,its > pretty easy to set one up at www.paypal.com,i will be expecting your > email.I have a pick up agent that will come for the pick up after > payments has been sorted. I want you to provide me with the following > information for me to proceed with the Payment... > > Your PayPal e-Mail Address : > Full name: > Your Full Contact address: > > Note: i'll also include the Shipping company's fee > so kindly Get back to me with your PayPal email account so i can > proceed with the payment asap.. > Thanks > > Looking forward to read from you.

try flocking some time. i really love how my bro's came out. covers up some imperfections as well.