New gentleman from VA

[Kram1337 0]

Hello guys and gals! I hope everyone is having a great day! I'm recently getting back in to car audio after about 8-10 years. I've been doing a lot (I mean a lot!) of reading and from what I'm looking to do, people keep recommending SSA sub-woofers. As a heads up, currently my car is stock, but I have already planned most of my future system out, it will be as follows:

 

Car:

2009 Honda Civic Si (sedan)

 

Musical Taste:

Mostly Rock/Metal

Occasionally Rap/Hip Hop

Occasional Dubstep/Drum and Bass type or electronic music

 

Front Stage

Kicker QS65.2

Kicker IX500.4

 

Head Unit

Pioneer DEH-80PRS

 

Other Upgrades

Big 3 w/ 0 gauge (ideally 0 gauge)

Dynamat or MurderMat Sound Deadening on both front doors

 

Battery

I will build my system first and then see if I need a battery. If it is thought that one may be needed, please feel free to let me know

 

Subwoofers

Goals:

1. Compliment my front future stage to play clear and crisp with at moderate volumes.

2. If I had a put a percentage on SQ/SPL 65-75% SQ 25-35% SPL

 

I'm looking at the following:

1 SSA ICON 12 or 15

1-2 SSA GCON 12(s)

1-2 SA-12(s)

 

Considered, but from what I've read, probably not:

1 RE Pro SX 12 or 15 (hardly any info)

1-2 RE Pro SE 12(s) (again, hardly any information)

1-2 JL W6 or even W3v3 (bang for buck wise does not seem to be favorable)

 

Amplifiers

I have an accommodation deal with Kicker, due to that, I will probably not find a better bang for buck on amperage anywhere else. Originally I was thinking of getting the IX1000.1, but the more I have read, for the setup I want, I think my subs would want a tad more power. Due to this I may potentially get the KX1600.1 or KX1200.1.

 

Miscellaneous Info:

I initially don't plan on having any rear speakers, as most of the better systems I have had the pleasure of listening to did not have them. I don't want it to mottle the front stage. If I was more SPL oriented, I think I would put something back there. 

 

Thanks for reading this long list. I will continue to learn here on these forums. Have a great afternoon!

[EPerez 236]

Welcome!

[AXEHAMMER 16]

Welcome! Fellow Virginian here that relocated to TN

[Shogen 325]

welcome sir!!!

[Kram1337 0]

Thanks everyone! Axe, don't you miss the crazy weather of VA? lol

[Polish 9]

Welcome aboard, looks like you've got a pretty good plan laid out. I too just got back in the game after a decade long layoff. If you're anything like me I'd get a bigger sub amp than you think you'll need/want.

 

I just got back into it this past December and started with a single 8" sealed on 200 watts thinking it would do me fine since I'd been out so long. That lasted about a day and I was bored, I then upgraded to 4 10's which brought my power up to 400 watts (amp was 200 @ 4 ohms & 400 @ 2 ohms). The 10's were in a a ported box and that lasted about a month and I was bored once again. I then upgraded to a 1,600 watt amp, the power increase helped but I still wanted more. So I built a 4th order for the subs, it smashes the ported box but I still want more. So now I am planning some 15's in the not so distant future. 

 

I would say any of the subs listed should match your criteria fine, the enclosure will really determine output and sound quality though. Any of those should get pretty loud and sound nice doing it as long as the enclosure is built properly. 

[Kram1337 0]

Advice notated! I can technically get the KX2400.1 or ZX2500.1, but I have a feeling that's gonna be a bit too much I was thinking of going for 1 Icon 15 and going ported, but at the same time, for those times I want a little more oomph, I was wondering if I should go with 2 10/12 Gcons. This is by far the hardest decision about my future setup. lol

[nem 2,019]

Welcome

[altoncustomtech 773]

to the forum!

 

I have to agree, that's a great lineup of plans for the car.  I would highly suggest looking at SDS (Sound Deadener Showdown) sound deadener and reading the information on the site there.  Don really knows his stuff and his products reflect the vast knowledge he possesses.  Not that the Dynamat products aren't good, but his information and products will likely save you some $$$$ and the entire treatment is extremely effective.  If you're limited on space the single 15 or pair of GCON 10's would kick some ass but you can get more cone area and potentially more output while keeping the great SQ the subs have to offer with a pair of the GCON 12's if you have the room for a proper enclosure.  Whether it's a pair of 10's or 12's the KX1600 would be plenty of power and the 1200 for the single 15 is great.  There's no need to get crazy with power to get awesome output from these subs.

 

I'm real interested in hearing your thoughts on the QS65.2's too.  I've considered pulling the trigger on a set for awhile now.

 

 

Most importantly, be sure to post up pics in a build log!

[Kram1337 0]

Oh of course I'll keep everyone updated. Once I decide on the subs, I'll choose the appropriate amp for the solution. After I finalize the full setup I'll pull the trigger and order everything. Thanks for the input!

[Kram1337 0]

Okay...so I read most of the pages on sound deadener showdown. Makes sense to do it that way. Very very informative site. I guess I'll be going that route instead of dynamat, especially if I would have to do any kind of body work. Thanks a lot for that information!! Now to get down to measuring the trunk area to see what all I can work with fully!

 

I did some rough estimating. I used some of the dimensions of the recommended enclosures for the icons to get an idea. I do believe I can either do 2 10's or 1 15" comfortably and if I did my math right, a box for 2 12's would probably take up more room than I want. I will do some more serious math in the next couple days when I'm with my friend.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Kram1337

[Polish 9]

One 15 has a little more cone area than a pair of 10's, it's not a ton but just something to consider when making your pick. If it were me I'd take the 15 over a pair of 10's. 

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

[Kram1337 0]

UPDATE: Alright, done the measurements. I have enough room for 1 15" Icon, 1 12" Icon, or 2 10 Gcon's. I went to a few audio places nearby my last day off and heard a few setups in a car that is similar to my car. Although, I feel like most of those guys were going for boom rather than mostly SQ and a bit of boom, as a couple seemed really sloppy, when I've heard slightly different setups with those subs that seemed decent. Anyways, back on track. After doing the math, if I went with the 15, I would prefer to run it sealed, as running it ported would probably take up more space than desired. The 12 could run either way, but, probably sealed, as I don't 100% feel confident to build a ported box. 

 

Gut instinct is telling me to get the 15" Icon...Can't quite put my finger as to why, but it is.

 

Any input on recommendations?

[Kram1337 0]

Hmm, I can't edit my post from.my phone. I also was debating the kicker IX1001.1 for the icon, if I did that I could stack the amps, new for the IX line, which would look pretty sexy if done properly. I've read of other people running an icon off of 1000 watts, but didn't know if it was recommended to run it at 1200 which is closer to the RMS.

Also, reading up on the Icons, I found some older posts on various forums stating they like a bigger box. I did not know if that is true for the current generation lineup. If so, that could sway me towards the Icon 12, as I had been going by the optimum sealed specs on ssa's site

Edited March 28, 2013 by Kram1337

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Welcome.  Many of the posts stating the preference (mostly mine) for the larger enclosures, was me in regards to the original Icon and Gen 2 Icon.  With the latest Icon, it has more motor force, and more cooling, more suspension etc., all of which add up to preference for more middle of the road sized enclosures.