Help me choose a system

[huskyfan23]

Yeah I don't mind about the casing. The amp's going under rear seat. The subs I'm looking at are here: http://www.phoenixgold.com/2004/xenonspeakers.html top of the list. Found some good reviews on them. I'm not trying to get an insanely loud system, just wanna replace what I had, and these components seem a step up from what I had before. I've got 4-gauge wiring right now. My Kicker came with the factory certificate rating it at 1016W. How high can I go before I need to switch to 2 or larger?

 

[goobenet]

It'd seem that the JBL's are much cheaper on ebay, than in stores. (granted JBL doesn't allow internet sales, so all warranties are void) But...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18797&item=5720242851&rd=1

That'd run 2 subs pretty well... i'm running 4 with twice the power (1 model up from this) And it's class D.

 

[huskyfan23]

Since it's mono doesn't it mean it's only got one channel?

 

[goobenet]

That's rather interesting. They're coining them as 2ohm, but their own spec sheet is labelling them as 3.63ohms... that's a wee higher than 2. Unless that's both voice coils wired in series with eachother... Other thing that i don't like about them, is that they only warranty for 90 days. Period. I'd pay a bit more for at least 1 year warranty... But that kinda contradicts my previous post, now doesn't it?

 

[goobenet]

Mono doesn't mean you can't use it. Means it has only one output channel. Doesn't do stereo, so it just sums the RCA inputs to a mono signal. The manual specifically shows you how to hook up 2 subs, as there are 4 screw terminals (can run 2 subs at once)

 

[huskyfan23]

That is weird.. The subs I'm looking at have a 1 year warranty from the seller. I didn't even look at mono amps. Would I just wire the positive from each sub and negative from each sub to the terminals on the amp? If I'm understanding this correctly mono means there's only 1 channel, so only 1 positive and 1 negative? And would a 4 gauge kit still work for that JBL or MA Audio amps?

 

[goobenet]

4ga is fine, for 7-10ft runs. More than that, i'd be looking to get 1/0 wire back and put a distribution block in.

Dual voice coil subs are a funny beast. A 2ohm dual voice coil sub is really a 4ohm sub, because if you use a monoblock, you wire the second voice coil in series with the first. I've never hooked up just one side of a dual voice coil sub, so i don't know what it would do. (require 1/2 the power probably)

Mono amps just mean that there is brute power comming out of the speaker terminals. It doesn't have to split and stage the audio to diffrent paths. They're just one giant amp. They give you 2 sub hookups, and they consider it in series. So if you have 2 subs that want 500w each, at 2 ohms, the JBL provides 1100 watts x1 @ 2ohms, or 550w x2 @2 ohms. (roughly in half). Multi channel/2 channel amps have 2 physically seprate stages, so the subs are paralell.

It is true some amps only have 1 set of terminals, so be careful if you look into monoblocks. Do some homework before buying an amp. Make sure it has everything you want.

The nice thing about monoblocks / Class D amps is, they can get the lower frequencies better than say AB class. The JBL for instance can get to 20hz, whereas that MA Audio can only get down to 32hz. May not be a big diffrence, but if you're going for SQ, that'd make the diffrence.

Also, if you're going for a monoblock, look into a cap of some kind, or if you have a powerful alt in your truck, that should do. monoblocks, (like the JBL) can draw upwards of 300A peak! (YEEK!)... The JBL's also have 3 30A fuses in them, just to give you an idea of what kind of power they're capable of.

EDIT: Oops, meant to say 115A peak. That's still a ****load of power!

 

[huskyfan23]

I'm planning on ordering an amp today. I don't really wanna use a cap.. My Kicker had 3 40A fuses and I didn't need a cap..

 

[davesexplorer]

go with the ma 1397, you'll have plenty of power, and plenty of room to upgrade if you so choose......

Class D amps dont have any advantages over a/b amps in terms of getting into lower frequencies, the real difference is in the switching power supplies, through them sure class d amps are better on power, but can only go so high in terms of frequency....
Low frequency reproduction is in the amps design/components.....

Use 1/0 wire, anl fuse..... if you haven't already, upgrade the batt. and the "big 3"
and save the cap for last..if ever!



btw 115 amps huh.... how's 550+ amps sound? (It sounds pretty dang good, and above all loud! lol)

 

[huskyfan23]

I heard the 1397 specs are rated from a 17v power supply. I've got an Optima yellowtop, what RMS wattage would I expect since this supplies 13.something volts?

 

[huskyfan23]

Looks like I'm going with the HK-1397 powering 2 Phoenix Gold X12D2 Subs. Just wanna clear something up.. The HK-1397 has 700W RMS x2 @ 2 ohm, PG has either dual 2ohm and dual 4ohm subs. Dual 2ohm doesn't mean each sub is 4ohm does it?

Subs (top of page): http://www.phoenixgold.com/2004/xenonspeakers.html

Amp (top of page): http://www.maaudio.com/productcatalog.cfm?class=611

 

[boominXplorer]

in thta case if you want to run it at 700 x 2 at 2 ohms you would need (2) DVC 4 ohm subs.



Have youever though about just doing one sub? I have one hollywood edge 12 by a 2ch hifonics zues. I have the amp ran at 2 ohm mono and it pushes that 1 12 hard! It is stable at that too. That setup cost me about 450$ including shipping. Why do you put your amp under the rear seat? doesn't it get hot if you fold down the seats? I have 2 decent sized amps where my stock sub was. If you want pics of anything let me know.

 

[huskyfan23]

The PG subs are DVC, so it seems everything'll work out fine. I put the amp under the seat because it's out of the way and not on the sub box. I don't fold down the rear seats, the amp's too big to do the 60 part anyways I've already got a sealed bandpass box for 2 12's, so I'm gonna just get 2 new 12's. My amp shorted and killed my subs, and I'm just trying to find a near-equal replacement for that setup. Looks like I've found everything I need though, thanks!

 

[davesexplorer]

couple things... the ma amps are rated at 14.4, the only ones rated at 17v are the class d/x competition amps....

as boomin said you'd be best off with the dual 4's... you can with wire each sub to 2 ohms or 8 ohms with that setup, what I'd do, is wire each sub series, for 8 ohms a piece, then parrallel the pair to the amp for 4 ohms, bridge the amp to that, and you got 1600 w on tap....

finally, if those are the subs you're going with, you could do quite a nice installation since; both the amp and the subs have blue led's incorporated into them, if you have the time/space/money I'd consider doing a clean installation in the rear cargo area?

 

[huskyfan23]

Right now I'm just replacing my old system. I'm planning on throwing the amp under the seat and the subs in a rectangle box. Someday I'll probably eventually get a nice glass setup, but for now I'm happy with this. I just ordered and paid for everything, it's gonna be nice I know that much

 

[davesexplorer]

cool, need anything else, it seems you got a knowledgeable forum full of ppl ready to help?

 

[huskyfan23]

I should be set. All I've got left now is wiring it up. How do I do what you suggested? Only thing I've done is just run mine in series and bridged each sub to each set of channels.

 

[goobenet]

When you get all the parts in hand, it'll become clear. There's diagrams all over the 'net about how to wire DVC subs in series... All it is is plugging the second coil into the first one. Let us know how it all sounds, i'm curious to see how that MA Audio amp works out...

 

[davesexplorer]

wire each sub series..... bridge the amp to an single channel (pos from one side, neg from the other) wire the subs to that set of terminals....

Good luck, let us hear how it slams!

 

[huskyfan23]

Alright I see now. I definitely will let everyone know how it sounds. These are better quality components than my older ones, and more power, so I'm probably in for something I'm not even thinking about I won't blow my subs running them in series then bridging them to a single channel will I?