The final piece of the puzzle...

[helotaxi 46]

I'm in the process of getting all the components together for the SQ install going in my new truck in August. I'm trying to nail ldown the last piece of the puzzle, the bottom octave (or two).

The vehicle is a 2007-2008 (there are still new 2007s around) Nissan Frontier King Cab. The system goal is accurate reproduction at listenable levels. The rest of the system consists of a Kenwood DNX-8120 (the wife insisted that I get the more expensive unit with the nav functions), an Altomobile Drive 30 (extremely powerful 6 channel processor that does filtering, time alignment, EQ and a few other things independently for each of the 6 channels), active front stage consisting of a set of Hybrid Legatia L31-2s (will be glassed into the a-pillars) and a pair of Tang Band neo 6x9 subs (in the doors). Front stage will be powered by a trio of Sundown 100.2s.

The delima now goes to the subs. The plan is to build an enclosure that is right around the height of the rear jump seats and use the jumpseat pads to disguise the box to keep the install as stealth as possible. This steers me toward 8" subs firing forward with a removable grill covering them. I could do 10's or 12's downfiring, but, between the mounting depth of the subs and the space needed to clear the floor in a downfiring config, the height ends up right about that needed for 8s but with a larger box requirement. Since I'm only really needing the subs to take care of 50hz and below, cone area is important, so 3-4 subs will be used depending on coil config. I'll probably be looking for a sealed setup for reasons of enclosure size and accuracy. For power I have a Sundown 1500D that will be more than enough power for what I want.

Here are the subs I'm considering in no particular order:

Sound Splinter Orphan 8 (x3)

Pros: Tiny box, should be able to handle that bottom octave with some authority

Cons: Discount price ends before I'll have all the info I need to make a decision, will allow the least headroom from the amp

JL 8W3v3 (x4)

Pros: Small box, JL reputation (I've always been impressed with the JL 8s), readily available, should be able to handle the bottom octave well

Cons: Not inexpensive, might not like the power I have on tap (I'd have to dial down the gains for sure)

JL 8W7 (x3)

Pros: Will kill the lows, will like 500w each

Cons: Most expensive option (by a pretty good amount, I'd probably spread the purchase of these out over a few months unless I found a dealer willing to hook me up for buying 3), need a pretty big box (but the fact that there's only 3 helps a bit)

SSA 8 (x? depends on coil config available)

Pros: Keeps it in the family (as it is right now all my major components are SSA member products), great reputation

Cons: A lot of unknowns (including release date and cost, but I'm not goin to make a decision until these are finalized or I'm headed home)

Ascendant Audio Assassin mk1 (x4)

Pros: I already have the 4 that I would need, tiny box

Cons: Worried about the bottom end in a sealed box

Dayton RSS210HF-4 (x4)

Pros: Fairly inexpensive, should be one of the best on the very lows

Cons: Not sure how they'll like the power (though not too worried), probably want the largest box

That's the rundown as I see it. If anyone has any insight or anything that I'm forgetting, that's the purpose if this thread. Cost isn't a huge factor. I buy good equipment and keep it forever so I don't mind spending money for good stuff. Remember I'm looking for an accurate driver that can get low. Output is not much of a consideration at all.

EDIT: didn't realize what a book I'd written...

[audio-neon 34]

What about running the AA Assassin mk1 isobaric and ported?

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

One problem that sticks out to me, is where are you going to be able to fit the assumed 4 amplifiers if 3 or 4 sub woofers are going in the back, all the while trying to keep them hidden and discrete?

Edit: I believe to start production the SSA 8 will be dual4, but there is a possibility for another configuration.

[dave_Edwards 1]

What about running the AA Assassin mk1 isobaric and ported?

HAHAHA....I was thinking quasi 5th order IB ported tuned to 30Hz...

but no...I would check into the specs on the SSA 8 when they do come availbe(sp)

[helotaxi 46]

The amps will be mounted vertically along the back wall of the cab with a cover that includes the rear seat pads for the jump seats. Wrapped in matched vinyl it should look just about stock.

[helotaxi 46]

What about running the AA Assassin mk1 isobaric and ported?

With just 2 ported, the port is bigger than the enclosure and still wants a tuning around 38-40 hz. Too high. Planning to set the LPF in the 50 hz region. Totally the wrong configuration for what I want.

[///M5 2,833]

Excited to see this install. I bet you wish they made the HO in an 8, as I am not sure how well the HF's will be in a smaller box (I haven't modelled or heard them though so just speculation). Or a 8w6, or if the darn Icons were out already....then it would be easier.

[helotaxi 46]

I did find myself cursing JL for not making an 8W6v2 just a bit ago, and not for the first time either. And yes I do wish there was a Dayton HO 8 as well. 8" Fi Qs would be a nice addition as well...

[///M5 2,833]

Personally, I'd lean on the SS or the Icon. The SS 8 is stellar in a sealed environment, I much prefer it sealed than ported although I will add that going a little larger than rec'd is good as well as I think Mike was a bit conservative so people don't rip those little monsters apart. .3 was too small, .4 pretty close, but a little bigger might be sweet as well.

[weasle421 1]

what about the new mag or bm? mag should be avaliable in a month or so, production has started

[helotaxi 46]

what about the new mag or bm? mag should be avaliable in a month or so, production has started

I could do 10's or 12's downfiring, but, between the mounting depth of the subs and the space needed to clear the floor in a downfiring config, the height ends up right about that needed for 8s

I was really interested in either of those except the coil configs/amp power don't match up at all. Two BM's would be beat to death by the 1500D @ 1 ohm and the amp would be basically a waste @ 4 ohms. A single mag would die horribly on the 1500D and a pair would be OK except that I would end up with a box taller than I want. If you figure 5.5" depth +1" for pole vent clearance + 3/4" for MDF thickness + 2 1/2" for cone clearance from the floor (ideally more) you're looking at 9 3/4". I can do the 8s in 8 1/2"...

Dammit.

I can't get on the SI forum from here. Any word on when the new Mags will be available?

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

We won't be calling it an Icon because of a different motor, coil, spiders, xmax, power handling yadda yadda etc. etc. We could for marketing but for looking down the road a 10" and 12" should follow in the same line as the 8. But to the topic at hand, if the SSA driver did not exist, I would personally lean towards the Sound Splinter. I love my RL-i, it is the bench mark for non-main stream high end 8" subs right now. Even with the quality and history of the JL, there is something about the heft and build about the RL-i 8 that I prefer. I can't really speak on the Orphan Annie's, but I have a good idea as to what they are under neath, and if the RL-i 8 and SSA 8 are not ready when you need to move on this project, for the money and performance I think they would be the way to go. Plus, if you decide that they are not getting it done the way you would like, the limited numbers would lend them to keep a good value and be able to re-sell fairly easy. But since I thought you mentioned the Dayton 10's, why not the RL-i 10?

[helotaxi 46]

Those Daytons are the Dayton 8s.

As far as reselling drivers if they aren't getting the job done, that's not in my nature. I think I've sold 2 amps, a pair of speakers and a pair of EQTs ever. I have a room in my house that is filled with amps and subs that I may never use again, but they'll look really cool in the display case when I open my shop in 10 years or so...

I also plan on building this thing once and calling it good. The tuning may take months, but the build will be involved enough that I'm not going to wnat to redo it for a long time so getting ti right the first time is important.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Your right, I should have checked PE first. May I ask, why is the TB W8 neo not in the running? Is it the lower rms? But after looking into the Dayton, it specs out very nicely. So if time is a factor I would consider it 2nd to the Sound Splinter in my preferred drivers.

[helotaxi 46]

Time is a factor in that there is a deadline, but that deadline is still almost two months out. Probably won't have the truck until 15 Aug (I'll pick up the MDF for the build on the way home from the dealership:D). Figure two days to deaden the cab. Another 2 days to build the pods for the mids and tweets. A day to wire under the hood and run power wire, install the deck and build the mounting rings for the TB 6x9s (they are not the standard 6x9 size but I'm 99% sure I can get them to fit with a spacer). After that a week to build the sub box and amp rack. 3rd week of August is when I have to have the drivers by pretty much.

I'd need to order the Orphans in the next couple hours if I go that route, which rushes things a bit more than I want to, but if I order 4 and the RL-is later become available...

[helotaxi 46]

So I modeled up the Orphan 8s and they want a TINY box. Around 1.5 cf for 4 of them gave a system Q of .505! .707 was smaller than the smallest box that could hold 4.

The Daytons want a much bigger box, but have the potential to absolutely KILL the Orphans down really low (unless the Orphans just really don't model right).

The mention of the new Mags above got me thinking, though. I'm not in a rush here, so waiting isn't much of an issue. I'm probably going to hold off on deciding until the Mags are on the market and probably the BMs as well. Building a pair of BMs into the rear wall of the truck with grilles wrapped in factory matched cloth to look like the jumpseat back pads just sounds too cool. If you look at the rear area of the truck on the Nissan website you can just picture it all in there...

The question now becomes how low can I dial down the power on the 1500D...

[weasle421 1]

eh thier cheap enough (cost) to replace every few months...lol

I didn't even think about load when i mentioned the SI subs

but 2 mags at .5 dialed way down would probably work well

I belive they arre expecting the mags to be in in the next 2-3 weeks

and the BM proto, so it may be awhile on the BM's

[johnecon2001 82]

eh thier cheap enough (cost) to replace every few months...lol

I didn't even think about load when i mentioned the SI subs

but 2 mags at .5 dialed way down would prolly work well

I belive they arre expecting the mags to be in in the next 2-3 weeks

and the BM proto, so it may be awhile on the BM's

Probably be better off wiring them to 2 ohms. Several people have mentioned they don't need hardly any power to get going.

[helotaxi 46]

Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of a pair of BMs wired to 1 ohm with the gain dialed WAY down. I don't need a lot of output. If I were to go with Mags, 2 ohms would be the wiring of choice. No reason to wire to 0.5 ohms especially if I'm trying to limit power and electrical drain.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

If the orphan annie's don't do it, I vote Daytons if you can fit them!

[mrray13 30]

the orphans get my vote as well, and if the typical soundsplinter modeling holds true, they won't model all that well. also, email mike directly, i'm sure he'll work something out with you.

of course, nothing wrong with SI, but that's kinda a step brother now, lol. but in anycase, SI would indeed be a good choice. nick needs to make a bm or mag 8.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[helotaxi 46]

Not much of a step really. Been running a '03 XXX 12 for quite some time. The pair of BMs should give me that kind of output with similar sound in a smaller box. Smaller box than the 8s want as well.

Got a great concept on how to integrate the BMs into the interior/stealth install. Also gives me better options for amp mounting. The more I think about it the better I like the idea. Hopefully they'll be ready by the time I get home, or soon thereafter. Heck I might even be able to fit a pair of the new Mags in the spot I'm thinging about.

[mrray13 30]

lol, i meant step-brother, not a step. bad grammer on my part, my bad. seeing how they left us for their own place, kinda makes them a step-brother now.

but sounds like you got a plan, and one that'll rock as well. keep us updated.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee