Building a system

I had another topic that was turning into this topic and I felt it would be better just to make a new topic. I'm building a system for my friend who only listens to hard rock. Were not talking about on the radio hard rock but real hard rock. I was looking around and I'm thinking two subs is going to cost too much for her price range. I was thinking, maybe just buy one now and later on add onto it if she needs it. She has either a Grand Am or Grand Prix or some other similar sized car. I was wondering how well a 10'' ported Audiobahn enclosure would work in it. The model number of the enclosure is ABASS10. If you think that would be a decent speaker can you recommend an amp for it? Or is that going to be too much of a power draw for a stock electrical system? You guys have given me tons of help so far, so thanks.

The ABASS10 is a 4ohm SVC rated at 350RMS ?Peak. For just one of those, you would want an amp that is 350 x 1 @ 4ohms for the best results (as a general rule of thumb, try to match the RMS output of the amp to the RMS rating of the sub). Maybe an amp like the Rockford Punch 400s or Punch 401s (they're both 400 x 1 @ 4ohms based on a 14.4volt system, which puts them right around 350 x 1 @ 4ohms based on a regular 12volt system).

As far as being safe on the stock electrical system you should be fine at 350 watts.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

I wouldnt buy tha Audiobahn...it pretty much sounds like ass...

for rock, go with a sealed box...bandpass only hits on one frequency...ported may also be an option, but the safest and easiest box is sealed...

tell me EXACTLY how much you (her) want to spend on this adventure into sound and I will do my best to come up with some reccommendations on what should be bought for the music she wants to listen to...

hey there :) check out e-bay.com they got a great selection cheap too.

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ive got friends in low places where the whisky drowns and the beer washes my blues away

If you go eBay be careful. Get the warranty info in writing via e-mail (don't just call them and get it verbally). Make sure what you're bidding on is "new", not factory refurbished, used, or "as is". You're taking a lot more chances if it is any of those!

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Big Purds, all she needs is an amp, a sub, and a box. I was thinking about getting her a JL Audio W0 12". Do you think that would be a good sub/size for the vehicle?

ya...the 12w0s are a decent sub which perform pretty well for a sub in that price range...IMO opinion they perform alot better than any of the Audiobahns, even some of the bigger dollar Audiobahn subs...

if she wants to keep this project cheap, have you considered buying some equipment used? it is a good way to keep the cost down...

another sub that I just thought of that is cheap and sounds really great is the Adire Audio Shiva...look at www.adireaudio.com

I think they are about 100 bux apiece and perform really well...and they are pretty sensitive so you wont need a whole lot of power to power them and then you dont have to spend alot of money on a bigger amp...the only knock you can give the Shiva is that it leaves alot to be desired in the cosmetic area...you wont find a sub that looks more ghetto than the Shiva, lol...just a plain black cone and a plain black dustcap with no logos anywhere...

they will sound a bit nicer and hit alot lower than the 12w0s...especially if you can give them some room to breathe...

Man...$200...thats a tough one for a sub, box, plus an amp. Would almost have to be used.  Funny though cause  a guy i work with has a brand new set up hes selling for $200, nothing special but not bad for the price, sealed box, pair of Rockford Punch Z 10's, and a Kenwood 200 watt amp. Best bet on the box is to build it yourself, would go with a new sub, dont think i would trust a used one unless you knew who had it, probably go with a used amp, would have alot more faith in a used amp before i would a sub.

How does this sound for a decent set up? Rockford Fosgate Punch HE2 12" sub, Rockford Fosgate Punch 12" sealed box, 800 Watt Legacy Amp. I think at the low price range the amp is going to be where I will have to skimp out. This all comes to about $200. Think this will do alright? Thanks for all your great help.

What's the model # of the amp? The only reason I ask is because the HE2's come in 4ohm and are 400RMS 800Peak. You want an amp that would be 400 x 1 @ 2ohms with that DVC sub.

As far as the HE2's go though, they are a decient sub and should give you good sound. They are Rockford's entry level DVC, but are still superior to their higher level SVC's.

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com

Could I not bridge the amp, just run it 2 x 200 @ 4 ohms? That should work shouldn't it just as long as both channels on the amp are putting out the same thing. I figure I will have to get an 800 watt amp because the cheaper companies say the max wattage instead of the RMS. Thanks for all the help you guys have given me.

Independant wiring is NOT recommended. Read here for more info. That type of wiring was designed more for Home audio then Car audio. If you plan on doing it anyway, check the outputs from the headunit to make sure they are exactly the same. Then check the gains, filters, etc. on the amp to make sure they are exactly the same. Then check the output of each channel from the amp to make sure they are exactly the same. There's a lot of places for the signal to get changed, which is why it is not recommended.

Don't automatically assume the 800 watts. If you list an amp here before you buy it, we can help tell you what the exact specs are. And unless you upgraded your entire electrical system, you want to make sure the amp's ratings are based off of a 12 volt system, not a 14.4 volt system (most companies show their ratings based on 14.4 volts now and it tricks a lot of people into thinking they are buying more power then they can realistically get from 12 volts).

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Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
Donate to the12volt.com