BostonPro's 12.5 Subs, can I do better?

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I have purchased allot of sterio equipment. Now I am getting ready to get the install done. I was told that I could do better at subs than with Boston 12.5 Pro's. I know opinions on this is tough. But I really like quality in my sound and bought the Boston's to go along with the V6's for the doors. What do you think? Keep the Boston Pros or dump them for something better. When it comes to sound quality, money is not the object. Oh and I am going to push the subs with 2 Alpine M-500's.

Thanks,
HotDogs

 

[410Fortune]

Bostion Subs are HIGH quality and they sound very clean. Keep them.

I have owned many subwoofers, I have installed many systems and there are three subwoofers that stand out above all the rest that I have had.
Orion XTR DVC 15"
Boston Competitor SVC 2ohm 12"
and Soundstream Exact DVC 10"

Boston is good for the $$$$ and the more you push them the better they sound.

Cheap subs can sound good too.
The most important thing about a sub is matching it to the amplifier correctly (RMS, OHM's) and of course using the EXACT right enclosure.

I prefer the sound of a sealed enclosure.

So thats my 2 cents, take it for what its worth.

Your install is very important to the quality of the sound you get. Proper wiring and power supply is very important.

Good luck and take some pictures!

EDIT:

yes ofcourse you can do better, but you have them and they are good subs, so run em! I have always been nothing but happy with Boston products and I was VERY happy when they got back into car audio a few years ago

 

[expo5.0]

i'm gonna say the opposite- a good friend of mine just installed two of the boston pro 10s in his f150. I didn't sell him the subs or box, but i sold him a 1501d mtx amp to power them will. although they have some very nice sound quality and a very smooth quality to them, he is disappointed in the sq and spl in general. We both expected them to hit harder with that much power. for him at least the bostons are too far on the sq rather than the spl side of things (and i agree).

you can definely do better for sq too even if that is all you want- i like focal in that case

 

[expo5.0]

http://focal-america.com/catalog/K2 Power/33kx.html

 

[ewf]

If sound quality is of utmost importance to you, then you can't go wrong with the Bostons. I have a Proseries 10.5 and I couldn't have been any happier. I'm talking past tense here because I still have the sub, but I traded my Cougar in for a Mountaineer so I'm not using it right now. For deep, solid, tight bass the Boston is an excellent sub. For absolute maximum loudness, I really can't speak about them because that was never my interest anyway, but it played plenty loud for me.

You could do better than any brand of subs if you listen to enough people. Trust your own ears. Your listening habits and the type of music you listen to can help you in your decision too. I don't know about you, but I'd hate to have someone else tell ME what is good and what isn't. I'd like to think that I'm a little smarter than that.

 

[terdrocket]

I run a single 10.5 2ohm Pro, with 250 - 300 watts pushing it. (The alpine MRD-300)
It needs more power, but when it has it, it sounds great.
I have it way underpowered.
I was sold on this sub by a friend who had the 10.4 pushed by the old, good PPI amps (Before Xtant)

For all out spl, go elsewhere.
With two MRD-500's, unless your trying to win contests, you should be VERY happy. (Should meaning I would with that power )

 

[CQ7String]

Originally posted by expo5.0
i'm gonna say the opposite- a good friend of mine just installed two of the boston pro 10s in his f150. I didn't sell him the subs or box, but i sold him a 1501d mtx amp to power them will. although they have some very nice sound quality and a very smooth quality to them, he is disappointed in the sq and spl in general. We both expected them to hit harder with that much power. for him at least the bostons are too far on the sq rather than the spl side of things (and i agree).

you can definely do better for sq too even if that is all you want- i like focal in that case

No offense to any MTX users, but one of the reasons that he's unhappy with the subs is that MTX is low-end gear. Put better power to those subs first (which are decent) and then consider this:

SQ and SPL are two very different things, and when you do an install you need to determine what you want to lean towards.

What type of box are they in?
Is the box the proper airspace for the subs?
Are you using any kind of dampener IN the box (pillow stuffing, etc)?
Is the box airtight (if it's sealed)?

There's a lot more to a balanced sub setup than just dumping a cheap amp with a high wattage rating labeled on it (chances are it's actual RMS are lower than the 150 it lists), putting subs in a box and turning the gain up.

Give me a little more information about the setup and perhaps I can help you tune it.

- CQ7

 

[expo5.0]

no thanks on the tuning offer

want to compete? in sq or spl? you had better come up with some crazy stuff thats in your truck or stop talking **** to me.

 

[metalhed]

Originally posted by CQ7String
No offense to any MTX users, but one of the reasons that he's unhappy with the subs is that MTX is low-end gear.

Hmm.. MTX actually has some of the best 'market' amps you can buy. They send out good clean power, have low current draw, low heat output, and are underrated (Usually specs list at 12.7-12.9v.. Inside your car, they will be recieving 14.4v, so you do the math).

There's a lot more to a balanced sub setup than just dumping a cheap amp with a high wattage rating labeled on it (chances are it's actual RMS are lower than the 150 it lists), putting subs in a box and turning the gain up.

- CQ7

It's a 1500watt amp. That's RMS. If you buy it new from the company (MSRP ~$800), the birthsheet will probably tell you they tested at closer to 1700wrms.


I fail to see how this is budget equipment.



:edit:

To the original poster: Keep what you have now. Listen to it, enjoy it, tune it, etc. Your ears will tell you what you're missing (if anything). You can hear 100 different people tell you about 100 different speakers, but you're still where you're at.

Don't drop $1000 on new equipment if what you have might already satisfy you. If you find the Boston's lack in SQ, then do some research and see what other driver's are recommended for SQ. If you think you might want a little more push, start looking into drivers that offer a good mix of the two.

The fact is, most of these speakers are all about on the same level anyway. In order to compete (and make a living) you basically have to use the same format and formula that everyone else uses. They'll tweak a few things here and there, but it basically all comes down to product identity.

It's just like buying a new car (on a smaller scale of course). You like fords? You bought an explorer. Someone else might not like ford as much, so they bought a wrangler. Same concept, different application. That doesn't mean one is better than the other, it just means the consumers had different tastes in products.


I could go on and on, but I'll end it here.

Just use your own ears and your own judgement. That's really the only way you're going to know what needs to be changed or fixed.

 

[HotCtyPlaya]

OK my hand has been forced but CQ7 you could not be further from right. I don't know what you think is good but I think you need to watch your tongue a bit because from what you are saying my perception of you is definently not that of a audio enthusiast.....

next you going to tell me DD and Concept are Pathmark brands....right

 

[mhn3773]

mabey cq7 is just a bestbuyer wanting to buy the most expenisve thing because it must be the best? lol

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. I beleive I will keep my Boston subs because I want quality sound. I have heard some pros and cons over this, and some very good suggestions I might add. I guess I will put it all in the hands of a professional and hope like heck he get's the enclosure right. He wants to build an amp rack that will be behind my folding seat. It will be made of fiberglass.

I guess one thing I should have said in my original post that I was 50 and I guess I don't need the "bumb" as much as I need the quality sound. But Boston does have a sub that is "suppose" to be a little better than the Pros, anyone comment on this? After all of this installation is done, I may enter her into a contest and see how well she does. Kind of let the "experts" hear it and then rate it. Maybe they can also come up with some suggestions. Also I got the 2 ohm speakers. I noticed that my Alpine 540 amps are set to run at 2/4 ohm.

Thanks,
HotDogs

 

[ewf]

Boston recommends a 1.0 cubic foot sealed box, so if the installer gets that right you should be just fine.

 

[mhn3773]

1cf wish mine was 1cf it wouldnt have gotten stuck in my dads trunk lol

but hey keep us posted on the install of the bostons and how u like them all that good stuff..o yah PICS! =) lol

 

[snocross1985]

Gotta post some pics of your setup after its all put together!

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Will do on the pics gang. I have back surgery scheduled on Jan 9. The installer said he wanted a good 3 weks to do the whole job, so I guess on the 8th I will take him my truck and a camera. He is going to custom do my doors for me also. It should be interesting.

HotDogs

 

[mhn3773]

eeee surgery...i hope u well =) just remember when they say dont eat they mean it ..i was hungry and gave in lol

i really cant wait to see this done this should be a sweet install damn rich people and there "installers" thats what i call my hands lol j/k...gl and marry x-mas

 

[snocross1985]

Good luck on your surgery!