Choosing a sub

[chubgo 0]

Looking for a quality sub right now for my first system and I'm thinking about a single 12 or 15. Listen to rap mostly when I'm driving but i like to mix it up with classic rock and pop/punk about 25% of the time. I've been told 12s in general are more musical, but will a 15 provide adequate response and accuracy, provided the right enclosure? I'm thinking about an Fi Q or SSA Icon or something similar b/c they've both had great reviews on here...total budget for the sytem(including wires, enclure, electrical upgrades if needed) will be in the $1200-1500 range...not looking to spend more than 50% on the substage(amp and sub). Any big differnces in the size of the driver? Any advice/comments? Thanks.

[JimJ 11]

You've been told wrong, cone size has nothing to do with musicality.

Either of those choices would work, IMO

[johnecon2001 82]

If you're on a budget, the packaged deal that the SSA shop offers on the ICON and the Sundown SAE-1000D would be good for you. Save some money on both amp and speaker.

[chubgo 0]

If you're on a budget, the packaged deal that the SSA shop offers on the ICON and the Sundown SAE-1000D would be good for you. Save some money on both amp and speaker.

Yeah, i saw that packaged deal earlier. Any recommendations on a front stage (just looking for something that will keep up w/a 900 wrms anp(? With that kind of power from the substage is $1500 still a reasonable budget, considering i'll probably need to dynamat at least the rear hatch and front doors...and will the big 3 be necessary?(i'm so new to all of this)

[johnecon2001 82]

I'll just go ahead and recommend the old passive Pioneer set I used to have.

I bought them when I was a mere noob, but looking back, they really sounded great for what I paid for them.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/p...8_35027,00.html

Look around for those.

[buickid 0]

If you're getting the Sundown 1000D/ICON package, the big 3 shouldn't be needed, unless you have a real weak sauce wiring right now. Doesn't hurt to do it though, if you have the extra cash.

[///M5 2,833]

If you're getting the Sundown 1000D/ICON package, the big 3 shouldn't be needed, unless you have a real weak sauce wiring right now. Doesn't hurt to do it though, if you have the extra cash.

Um, I disagree completely. The big 3 is necessary for even smaller setups.

If you can up-ping John's rec'd one to the 720prs.

[X-OvrDistortion 0]

If you are looking for a front stage, the RE set of comps in the group buy it one heck of a deal.

[johnecon2001 82]

Meh, those RE comps leave a little to be desired considering how much they are. I would expect a passive comp set to sound way better if I was paying that much for them.

Now the XXX on the other hand..

[chubgo 0]

both those comps only do 50-60 watts rms. I figured i'd need at least 75 rms to keep up w/a 900 watt sub, guess i was wrong. Solid midbass on both of those pioneer comps?

[chubgo 0]

What do you mean by, "something left to be desired ", on the re comps?. Midbass response, clarity?

[johnecon2001 82]

What do you mean by, "something left to be desired ", on the re comps?. Midbass response, clarity?

I actually think it has more to do with the passive crossover that ships with it than the actual drivers reproducing sound.

They just seem disconnected and not well blended as some of the other passive sets I've heard.

[chubgo 0]

anyone have experience with the mach 5 maw series or the AA arsenals

[Joe 0]

anyone have experience with the mach 5 maw series or the AA arsenals

I haven't worked with nor heard AA's Arsenals but I did install 2x 10" AA Assassins (Back when AA offered them for the real cheap in 05/06?) into my ex g/f's kia sportage.

I put them in a 2ft^3 sealed box if I remember correctly and we powered them off an old Profile CA600M amplifier.As far as SQ goes....sounded better then my 2x 12" Type ARRRGGGGHHHS and had good low end extension but then again I had my type R's in a 4ft^3 slot port box tuned to 35 Hz and getting roughly 600w a piece and I was aiming more towards the LSQ side with my setup.....as far as output for giving them 210w a piece and being in a sealed enclosure they still had great output considering she payed like $50-$60 per Assassin...ported I'd bet they have alot of output and in my mind the Arsenal is a more daily LSQ type driver,the Assassin may or may not sound better in the SQ dept. but I'm sure the Arsenal will dominate in the output dept.

[chubgo 0]

Pretty sure i'm going to go w/a 12" Fi Q ...any amp recommendations in the $300 price range?? Right I'm thinking about...

-kicker zx 1000.0--$279 on ebay

-kicker kx 1200.1-$300 on the for sale section here

-phoenix gold rsd 1200.1

-hifonics brutus bxi1206d

-JBL GTO1201.1 II

cadence txa 1000d

cadence zrs 6000d

suggestions? thanks.

[johnecon2001 82]

Kicker 1200.

[///M5 2,833]

or the JBL, the rest of your list isn't so exciting

[chubgo 0]

or the JBL, the rest of your list isn't so exciting

whats wrong w/the zx 1000.1, i thought it'd be better since it'd be 1000 watts @ 2 vs a 1 ohm load w/the 1200.1. Will the 1200 be to much?... i don't want to have to repair it in a few months if 1200 watts is too much, but i guess i could keep the gain down since a lil headroom is good.

[chubgo 0]

well i've changed my mind again, lol. That icon/sundown deal looks too good to pass up, especially since it'll be cheaper than a q and a decent amp for it. Enclosure suggestions?

[johnecon2001 82]

Do you want ported or sealed? You told me you got the 15". So for a sealed box you should shoot for just under 3ft^3 net. Or for ported 4-4.5ft^3 tuned to anwywhere from 27-38hz.

[///M5 2,833]

or the JBL, the rest of your list isn't so exciting

whats wrong w/the zx 1000.1, i thought it'd be better since it'd be 1000 watts @ 2 vs a 1 ohm load w/the 1200.1. Will the 1200 be to much?... i don't want to have to repair it in a few months if 1200 watts is too much, but i guess i could keep the gain down since a lil headroom is good.

My reply meant Kicker or JBL I wasn't singling out either; however, your revelation on that combo being a stellar deal is even a better choice.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

or the JBL, the rest of your list isn't so exciting

whats wrong w/the zx 1000.1, i thought it'd be better since it'd be 1000 watts @ 2 vs a 1 ohm load w/the 1200.1. Will the 1200 be to much?... i don't want to have to repair it in a few months if 1200 watts is too much, but i guess i could keep the gain down since a lil headroom is good.

My reply meant Kicker or JBL I wasn't singling out either; however, your revelation on that combo being a stellar deal is even a better choice.

[chubgo 0]

I'm going to with either 2.5 or 2.75 cubic feet sealed. I don't have the saw necessary to build a box, but if I gave home depot the dimensions they'd cut wood for me right? Also, is it cool to mount the amp on the box or should I build an amp rack? I kinda like the idea of having an amp, just dont know how difficult it'd be to make one. Also, will 2 rolls of RAAmmat BXT and a few yards of ensolite be enough deadening, at least for my goals (loud and clean daily driving)? thanks.