Efficient Marine 12" Sub?

[PR Audio 0]

Hi, I'm new here / don't post on forums much (too busy!), but I have a question...

I am trying to find out if anyone makes a "Marine" woofer / subwoofer that is fairly efficient / would run reasonably well off a 100 watt (actual total RMS watts) amplifier. Very few manufacturers seem to give complete specs, and the few that do seem only to make very inefficient woofs. One 10" we looked at had a Mms of 186 grams and is ~ 85 dB sensitivity. Our target is 92-94 dB/2.00v/1meter.

Other considerations:

These are for a friend's pontoon boat. The "enclosures" available are approx. 2.5 cu. ft.

A low end cutoff of 50 Hz would be plenty low. 10's might "do it", but a good efficient 12" would more likely be the ticket... Response should peak no more than 3 dB. (2 pi / Anechoic)

The environment is fresh water marine, not salt water, but the only locations for the sub's are horizontal (side) firing. They will likely get some water splashed on them, and will be exposed to direct sunlight. Of course, general environmental exposure is of concern.

We can / will work in ports that would be pretty much self-draining, water resistant, insect proof, etc.

The grilles could get kicked, whacked by gear, etc.

Need to keep cost down. (Target cost is $100 max. for a 12" sub and grille.)

Boss Audio has a marine 12" that would seem to fit the bill, but, that might be a little TOO "cheapy Chinese" a driver. Has anyone here used one and knows differently??

An inexpensive rubber roll, poly cone, cast frame car audio 12" would probably work if it had the efficiency. But, then coming up with a rustproof grille, separately, is a problem. Metra has one, but I don't want to pay $38 (online / with shipping ) for just a grill. I don't even know how strong / what quality it is.

I have an SL Audio Woofer Tester Pro, so any analysis / tweaking / tuning that needs to be done is no problem.

If only MB Quart made a 12" marine sub...

Thanks in advance!

[todd.brust 29]

The problem with marine subwoofers, is that most brands cut off size at 10". I looked into some brands, and I remembered that AlumaPro manufactures marine speakers. I came across the Alumapro Alchemy H2O 12" subwoofer. It has about 90dB efficiency. I have worked with Alumapro first hand, many times at my job and in my own vehicle, and they are top quality speakers. I have never heard their marine speakers but if they are anything like their traditional subwoofers, they would be great for any marine application.

Hope this helps a bit.

[blue fury 3]

Why not have a compact shallow mount in a sealed box that you can easily remove? Put it near the foot of the driver so it wont get wet and take it out every time you dock the boat

[will3 2]

Atomic EN12D very efficeint and marine rated , will work well in low power apps.

www.atomicspeakers.com

[///M5 2,833]

92dB, small box, & cheap don't work together.

[BigCProductions99 21]

92dB, small box, & cheap don't work together.

Kinda Like One Of Them There Oxymorons Ain't It?

[kirill007 52]

you could make a bandpass box, or a T-line box.

And coate(?) the outside of the box with some resin and or fiberglass.

[///M5 2,833]

you could make a bandpass box, or a T-line box.

And coate(?) the outside of the box with some resin and or fiberglass.

4th order bandpass will be less efficient than a ported, 6th order won't be enough to boost any efficiency anywhere near what was requested. Neither will T-Lines. An efficient driver is the request, not some method of making it more efficient.

You did outline the only time I'd recommend resin on a box. This time though it is only for waterproofing the outside.

[PR Audio 0]

Hey, everyone, thanks for the input. I see a couple of possibilities to check out, esp. Alumapro.

The only problem with a poly / metal cone, rubber roll CAR sub is the grille: We need something

that won't rust and can take some pretty good whacks. Metra's got one, but it's pretty pricey. I've

thought of, but have not checked out, the possibility of modifying a wheel cover.

If anyone else has any other suggestions...

If that (the mod'd wheel cover) worked, there are several choices, including the cheaper

Polk Momo's, perhaps, as I've seen them in some "Marine" woofer listings (with no grill

supplied.) They are poly cone / rubber roll - would have to check if the frames are really

rustproof, though.

There's really no reason the driver should be pricey: Parameters-wise, something

like the old (really old) Lanzar OA-124 models up just fine in a 1.5 cu. ft. box, and we have

more volume than that, even subtracting off the driver displacement and the port

displacement. Theoretically, the driver could have even less magnet, esp. if Mms was

held down a bit. (Modelling done on PRoResponse* program and briefly cross-checked

on LEAP.) The only thing that needs to drive cost up is a relatively tough, rustproof grill,

and rustproof, or at least rust resistant, basket and steel parts in the "motor". Poly cones

with rubber rolls are CHEAP in China.

Since we have multiple, fairly solid, 2.5 cu. ft. "cabinets" already just sitting there (the

"armrests" at the ends of the seats), using them sure seems to make sense...

[PR Audio 0]

Atomic EN12D very efficeint and marine rated , will work well in low power apps.

www.atomicspeakers.com

Pref. a 4 ohm driver. EN12D will be 2 ohm or 8 ohm (coils // or -- )

EN12S4 is 88 dB. Appears to have a roll too wide and heavy for the rest of the design, but might

be ok if nothing better turns up. Prob. does work pretty well with a 200-300 watt amp.

Almost wish I could turn up an old Paramount Audio (remember them?) 12 and put a rubber roll

on it.

[PR Audio 0]

Why not have a compact shallow mount in a sealed box that you can easily remove? Put it near the foot of the driver so it wont get wet and take it out every time you dock the boat

Then my buddy has to carry it... Back to the marina or his car each time. It's a decent little walk from where he's docked, to either.

But, thanks anyway.

[PR Audio 0]

The problem with marine subwoofers, is that most brands cut off size at 10". I looked into some brands, and I remembered that AlumaPro manufactures marine speakers. I came across the Alumapro Alchemy H2O 12" subwoofer. It has about 90dB efficiency. I have worked with Alumapro first hand, many times at my job and in my own vehicle, and they are top quality speakers. I have never heard their marine speakers but if they are anything like their traditional subwoofers, they would be great for any marine application.

Hope this helps a bit.

I just looked at the H20 12 -- looks very nice, but completely blows the budget & no grill. Drat.