Budget setup

[99s10LS 0]

I have a buddy that has a Bonneville with 2 15" Memphis power reference subs and a crappy "1920 watt" power akustik amp. He is trying to upgrade to either 2 better 15s or 3 12s... but he only wants to spend $1000. Do you guys think he could buy something louder than what he already has for that much?(he only needs subs and amp)

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Welcome to SSA. Is output the only goal?

[99s10LS 0]

Yea, he just wants it to be as loud as possible. But i want it to sound decent too because if it sounds like total ass he will just think its because i didnt build him a good box.(im gonna be making a box for him)

[JimJ 11]

if it sounds like total ass he will just think its because i didnt build him a good box

I think you need to tell your friend that it wouldn't be your fault, he needs to get his expectations in order

[99s10LS 0]

if it sounds like total ass he will just think its because i didnt build him a good box

I think you need to tell your friend that it wouldn't be your fault, he needs to get his expectations in order

Yup yup... But he thinks my 8 is a cheap sub(TC-1000) because it was only $150 and it still sounds amazing.. so he thinks i can make anything sound good.

What about 3 JL 13W3V3s? think they would be louder and sound better than his power references?

[ANeonRider 3]

1) Buy a quality amp

2) Budget for a quality enclosure & the appropriate wiring

3) Find a subwoofer that fits in the space you have.

Sounds like he doesn't care how it sounds, just wants it to jiggle his balls. This means either extended throw or large amount of cone area

I suggest spend the majority of the budget on something like the SAE-1000d, then pick up a pair of MAW-15s.

[99s10LS 0]

What about a kicker ZX1500.1 and 2 15" SS RL-P15s? or Like 3 13W3Vs and a kicker ZX1500.1?

Im not putting down anyones ideas im just trying to find out all his options and then im gonna let him pick what he thinks he will like best.

[sqguy 0]

I agree with ANeonRider- get a good amp with the nut, wire it right, then worry about subs. It will go loud and if you blow the subs get better ones later. I would not call a kicker a good amp, though I am running one and it does work ok. It is very sensitive to voltage and does not put out when you turn the car off, wattage is like near half if you look at the specs closely for 12v....or mine is anyway. I don't care that much about flat out volume or I would get it out of my car for that reason....but I don't care for that aspect of it either. I'd say you better count on having a good supply of power if you run a big kicker amp. That is my experience with it and mine is only 420wrms to the subs. I prefer older quality amps myself, and don't have much experience with newer amps others here use except this kicker I run.

Oddly I seem to have more of a problem with the high side of the amp not having power at 12v, not the sub side as much. Compared to other smaller (better name) amps I ran in the same car, some on the same drivers, the high side seems to be lacking IMO.

[///M5 2,833]

I agree with ANeonRider- get a good amp with the nut, wire it right, then worry about subs. It will go loud and if you blow the subs get better ones later. I would not call a kicker a good amp, though I am running one and it does work ok. It is very sensitive to voltage and does not put out when you turn the car off, wattage is like near half if you look at the specs closely for 12v....or mine is anyway. I don't care that much about flat out volume or I would get it out of my car for that reason....but I don't care for that aspect of it either. I'd say you better count on having a good supply of power if you run a big kicker amp. That is my experience with it and mine is only 420wrms to the subs. I prefer older quality amps myself, and don't have much experience with newer amps others here use except this kicker I run.

Oddly I seem to have more of a problem with the high side of the amp not having power at 12v, not the sub side as much. Compared to other smaller (better name) amps I ran in the same car, some on the same drivers, the high side seems to be lacking IMO.

The subside is class D and more efficient so you would expect that to happen, although it sounds to me like your battery is failing. You wouldn't perceive that problem with an Optima or even a stock battery in good condition.

[sqguy 0]

Battery is factory replacement about 3 or 4yr old, but is a normal four banger little car so nothing is big or powerful on it...but I may have the answer. I got a hold of a jumper, I posted about it. Think I will mount that battery and a little cap and see what happens. A friend of mine says not enough power too but I don't know how I ran a rubicon 302 (300wrms) with 8ga instead of the new 5ga, but had different subs then. The lights don't dim much at night so I was thinking of not doing anything, but maybe it does have an issue that gets amplified at 12v? I'll get it figured out one of these months...

But yes I should have added there could be a power issue. Even if this is the amp, I really can't complain given what I paid for it. It hammers pretty good when car is running and that is mostly when it gets used. If this problem gets better I'll be quite satisfied, I'd just like to know I can run it up to X volume clean and be a few notches away from distortion like I was with other amps.