Subwoofer design to achieve LOUD "punchy" bass? (rock music)

[creyc 1]

I am trying to design a system that will give me very strong punchy output specifically to reproduce the sound and FEEL of drums, kickdrums, etc found in rock music.

It needs to sound good, and get loud. To what end would to go to achieve this goal? Is it subs, midbass drivers, high powered components? Door/vehicle treatment? Speaking specifically about the subwoofer portion for now, how should I start?

I have 8 cubes of space and about 1000 RMS available, with the ability to do 1800-2200 in the future if need be.

[sundownz 197]

Get a large midbass, 8" or larger, that is pretty critical for what you are looking for.

As for a subwoofer... I would suggest a 15" SI Mag (find one used) in a sealed enclosure, or an MKI 15" Brahma sealed. Either one sounds fantastic on rock music

[Jybfan04 1]

I have a MK II brahama I may be selling...

PM if ya interested..

[johnecon2001 82]

I'd recommend going sealed with it as well. Especially the Mag if you go that route.

[Mark LaFountain 1,054]

15" SSA ICON will get you there as well. umm, sexy

[sqguy 0]

I agree, set up sub sealed and go big on the midbass. Run 8" if you can even 6x9 can do well IMO if you have to. You need reasonable power on the mid if your sub power is big. Then you should still be able to set the sub LP somewhat low to keep directionality minimized. You may need an enclosure/baffle/etc on the mids to get the most out of it.

[creyc 1]

Thanks for the advice so far guys!

I just finished installing my Pioneer C720-PRS component speakers. It's hard to describe how much better everything sounds, and my previous speakers were the D-series pioneer coaxes. (not complete junk!)

This week I also installed a Pioneer P800-PRS head deck. (upgrade from a crappy Dual) Tonight I also installed a Rockford T600-4 amp for the mids/highs. This amp should have plenty of power to push anything I throw at it speaker wise, which was my reasoning in getting it. Included test sheet rated it at 761W RMS.

Things are starting to sound better, but my substage is crap and by now I know I need midbass drivers. Perhaps I'll run them on the 2nd set on the amp, I'm not running rear fill atm.

So with this new equipment, does anything stand out as far as possibilities to achieve my goals? Also can you recommend a somewhat affordable midbass driver that will do the job?

[ronrico418 0]

Bro come take a listen tomorrow joe

BTL on right Havoc on left

Edited March 26, 2008 by 418FIs

[JimJ 11]

I have 8 cubes of space and about 1000 RMS available, with the ability to do 1800-2200 in the future if need be.

You don't need anywhere near that power.

[///M5 2,833]

The drums you seek are all in the midbass; however, if you go that route I personally wouldn't use the 720 set with a set of monster mids as one of their major strengths is their midbass. If they aren't enough a complete rework is necessary. I do really like the 720 set, but for your needs I don't think they are the right choice. Once you get the drums you like, adding bass will be easy.

[sqguy 0]

M5 knows; I have the same issue and my plans are to maximize midbass from my comps first and see where I am at. This includes deadening and sealing of the doors and maybe a baffle/enclosure of some kind for them. Starting to warm up here so I can get on that. I want to do 8s but in this car placing mid/tweeters elsewhere would be a large challenge and near impossible to keep stealth so trying this first.

I like to run rears to help midbass, in this car they are very low and just behind the seat and even same distance to me as fronts...ideal as they are not very directional. But most do not like rear 'fill' I guess.

[creyc 1]

My door has so many large "holes", i wouldn't know how to go about sealing it.

Sound deadening I will definitely do.

[sqguy 0]

If you can put ply or mdf over the holes and deadening.