Printer Friendly Forum Posts - How Good Are Audiobahn Products?

Autobahn, keep looking. HYPE!!!! Nothing more. I must compliment them on the great marketing of inferior products. Too many other manufactures make products with better parts, better construction and better sound.

Many people have strong opinions about the Autobahn brand. If you want to pay $500 for a $150 Amp, I will sell you all you want buy. The bigger problem is the spread of bad sounding car audio with flames both on the woofer baskets and from the amps. Listen to your Ears, not the words on the side of the package.

Don't waste your money it will probly sound good maybe even great but after a couple of weeks all you will have is a really expensive ashtray!

i for one had a very good experience with these products in my 88gt ford mustang.......not as good as my 300zx with the mb quart q series all around but definately satisfied.....good bang for the buck....

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*paw print*

actually there pretty good, if you buy there high end stuff,

this wealthy kid out here in Cali has 6 12" audiobahn subs and an audi A6, they hit hard as hell as long as he gets new ones every one to two months depending on what kind of listening he is doing. In their defense he treats trips around town like a dB Drag. Still wouldn't recommend them in the long run.

i have 2 12" ALUM12s and i have had them for 3 years and they are still playing hard and loud. and those subs did take some abuse from crappy amps.

I think audiobahn is pretty good, Ive owned about 6 audoibahn woofers and 2 amps over the pasy few years and never had a problem, you just have to by the right stuff. A guy that i work with just has 1 12" immortal sub in a ported box hitting 149. But it all depends on what you like, when i have the money i buy JL.

My personal experience: I have never run anything but Audiobahn amps and subs. Never had a problem, never had a glitch. I've had my step-brother replace his MTX's with a pair, and they hit harder, and louder. This was a few years ago, mind you, but they still hit as hard as the day he got them. I only had one issue with an amp, and that was because the mount I had broke, and it ripped the RCA plugs from the amp (which was replaced free of charge). I personally like the looks, and never had a problem. For those who say they rip off others, who are they ripping off? I'm not saying you're lying or anything, since I know lots of companies use the same products, I was just wondering who else they're using.

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I had bad credit. Anyone have any they can loan me? lol

Audiobahn is ALL features and barely any performance. Audibahn at the drawing board: Hmm lets put some chrome here a know there ohh yeah..... I guess we have to include an amp :( (picks up oem supplies and shoves them in to amp) that'll do.

Audiobahn is ALL features and barely any performance. Audibahn at the drawing board: Hmm lets put some chrome here a knob there ohh yeah..... I guess we have to include an amp :( (picks up oem supplies and shoves them in to amp) that'll do.

customsuburb wrote:

Audiobahn is ALL features and barely any performance. Audibahn at the drawing board: Hmm lets put some chrome here a knob there ohh yeah..... I guess we have to include an amp :( (picks up oem supplies and shoves them in to amp) that'll do.

I've heard something to that effect....I cant really say that I dont like audiobahn,(never owned any of their products)...a friend has 2 12's and they sound alright I think.....

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If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves

Audiobahn is really good for a cheap midrange system. As long as you buy at the right places you can get brand new stuff really cheap. All I ever hear is how good JL is but thats of course if you have a couple grand to spend on a system. If your looking for a decent system at a reasonalbe price audiobahn is the way to go. I've had experience with 5 subs 2 amps and 2 pairs of components. All have worked exeptionally well and none have blown. Plus they have good looks. I would not hesitate to buy Audiobahn in the future.

Mike

BS about how JL's low priced systems arnt good. I have JL's low end stuff in my ride and I wouldnt even dream about replacing them with audiobahn junk. They overrate their products badlly. A $90 sub handling 400 watts RMS? I dont think so. Audiobahn can play loud but sound bad. Like I was saying above they like the bells and whistles not the performance of their products.

What low end JL are you talking about. I went in to hear what a JL 500/1 could do. They used it with some entry level JL subs. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the JL subs. The amp is good and has great features but again the price is high. I'm not putting down JL, especially the higher end stuff, but compared to lower end JL and others you get way more with the Audiobahn.

customsuburb and I have the same feeling toward the brand. Looks sell. Make it flashy and someone will buy it. Chrome is nice and looks cool, but cost money to make. The engineer should be designing with better quality caps, higher amperage output devices, and more precision devices! I very much doubt the power ratings. Lets not forget speakers are motors. They need current to move. Manufactures list high specs which are usually voltage measurments. Higher current requires more and better devices.

These amps and made and marketed for the masses. Ebay is a prime example of how many Autobahn products are available. (notice the loss of resale value in six months). Yeh! they hit dude! fine. If your happy, Great. I listen for: how is the dampning?(ability to control the speaker cone). Is there enough power during transients? After a half an hour of playing does it sound the same? How much noise? I expect more from audio products than most, and the Autobahn brand has not impressed me. Listen to a Zapco (one of many high ends worth praise)compared with an Autobahn of the same power rating. You will then know why Zapco, even vintage products, go for high $$$ on the front end and the back. Quality In, Quality Out.

So many manufactures are throwing product off the assembly line just to make money. Brands that were once respected have fallen into the pool with the rest. PPI, RF, Orion, Hifonics just to name a few that have taken a turn but still have brand recogntion. Parent companies are going for faster and cheaper. Directed for example.

Mounted in your trunk, you gonna look at it or you gonna listen to it? Better available yes, are there worst. Yes.

i have great experience with audiobahn sstuff, althoug i only own an audiobahn sub, the AWt15X, and i am running 2 memphis 1000d's to the sub, and it takes the amps perfectley fine, i have been runing the stuff for about 5 months now, and not had a single problem with there stuff distorting, breaking, "or sounding like crap after a few minutes", so i would buy audiobahn anyday, i nly have 1, 15, and my sh*t hits harder then my friends 25,000 alpine steroeo system, which has 4 12 inch type r's in it, so i owuld say it's not hsit, considering i hit 149.2 with it, i would say thats quite good for 1 15, especially since i bought it from a local store for only 700 bucks canadian, with a full 2 year warrenty, sure maybe there low end 90 dollar subs suck, but oh well, don;t buy there low end stuff, look at rockfords punch Z subs or whatever they are, those things cost like 150 bucks, and they are thiew sh*ttiest subs i have ever heard,

I own several audiobahn products as of yet: A4601Q 4 channel amplifier, A18001D mono amplifier, and 2 Aw1206t woofers. I have never had a problem with any of their products, whether it be quality or construction. They seem pretty stout, and have taken a bit of a beating. Nothing wrong at all. Just makes me wonder.....when did the rest of you "haters" try Audiobahn? Have you ever even had an Audiobahn product in your car, or are you just basing your "reviews" on what you have heard? Also, audiobahn is a fairly new company. Did you use products when they were still a small company, with very little experience (i.e. the late 90's?).

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~WAYLAND

Audiobahn products are fine for what you are getting. If all you want to do is compare them to something else and have something to brag about, sure, they're not going to stand up to JL Audio or Eclipse or Kicker or <insert name here>. Audiobahns are from a mass-marketing company, so they're not going to go so much for quality and reliability as they are for value and aesthetic appeal. But they sound good and will generally do the job well. If someone says they're crap, it's only because they want/have something better, so they look down on them. Audiobahn is definately NOT top of the line, maybe not even middle of the pack, but they still are good for the value, regardless of whether they inflate their numbers or not.

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VEHICLE: 2002 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Alpine CDA-7940
AudioControl EQT x2
JL Audio 1000/1
JL Audio 10W6 (originals) x3
Kicker ZR120
Kicker ZR460
Polk GXR-6 x4
Polk GXR-4 x2

Alpine Guy wrote:

there a cheep brand that makes there products "look" loud

how about *they're* a *cheap* brand that makes *their* products "look" loud... if your going to bash a great product spell it right

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I din't know s#%$, dont act like it... and sure as f*&$ gonna try and learn it

sh*t, i have yet to see audiobahn products where i live at. and havent heard them. but they do have MA audio and i do have a set of 12"s and they hit hard, and there in a sealed box as well, i plan on putting them in a ported box. but if MA audio is they're lower end stuff to them then audiobahn must be good.

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xTimx

sh*t, i have yet to see audiobahn products where i live at. and havent heard them. but they do have MA audio and i do have a set of 12"s and they hit hard (139dbs), and there in a sealed box as well, i plan on putting them in a ported box. but if MA audio is they're lower end stuff to them then audiobahn must be good.

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xTimx

Mikep3 what are you smoking? Maybe its the smell from an audiobahn amp that doubles as an air freshener and a fancy door stop. JL's W0 subs (the ones i own) could beat audiobahn any day. If Audiobahn claims that their AWC12T sub can handle 500 watts RMS they must be drugged. I think thats a peak power handling level (if that even). And why does everyone keep saying that so and so's audiobahn subs hit hard? So what Id like to see them hit hard and sound good with some complex recording at full blast like Dont Know Why by Norah Jones or even heavy rap songs. Feeding those subs 500 watts RMS from a zapco or JL amp and not blowing them isnt gonna happen.

jl, lol, i would not buy jl if my life depended on it, pverprcied and overratted my friend, junk,m i hate jl more then pyrmaid, i have had w7's, jl 1000/1 in my car, you pay so much for the name there, the sub alone retails for about 1000 bucks retail at stores, why not buy a pioneer tsw-5000spl, or my sub for instance, i blow that sub away in spl, i may not have even close to as good of sq as a jl, but who gives a sh*t about sq, i care about spl, and if i want spl, im sure not oging to buy JL, you can say there middle end low end, say whatever you want, maybe us people have it that are aying it;s good, must have just gotten luckey right, lol, or maybe you have never used any of ther estuff, or just used there 90 dollar subs,

I'm talking about sound quality 97neon. If you want an spl sub get one. I want one that sounds good and still plays pretty loud. But really you think JL is junk. Not really since they dont just use off the shelf crap like most brands do (cough PIONEER) and actually care about how their subs sound more then they do on how it looks.

well, then wh ynot buy alpine, there stuff sounds better than JL, just wait till the new alpine type x subs come out, that will blow jl away

If their subs follows the Type x components then they wont be much better then the Type R components (for $50 more you get better looks and a little better performance which still isnt anywhere close to the W7). Besides all they are doing right now is hyping up the Type X sub that encorporates the same technology as half of all the other subs out their and re-names it. I'm not buying it.

Sounds to me like we have quite a bit of backing up to do here.....JL AUDIO vs. AUDIOBAHN vs. ALPINE.....Sounds like a good competition if you aske me? Who's ready for an all out SPL and SQ brawl????!!!!

In terms of Audiobahn, Audiobahn's products seem to have quite a range on them. Their subwoofers, like the Flame Q's for example, offer an endless array of possiblities. They have a very broad range of box volumes, as seen on websites like crutchfield. But, when you go to Audiobahn's website, under the technical section, there're PFD downloads of the woofer charts. The reason they offer such broad ranges is to take into account what YOU want your subs to do. The bigger box volume is for Pro SPL, wheras the lower box volume rating is for SQ. Then you have hte choice of ported or sealed...or bandpass.

Basically, as I said before, Audiobahn is great. They have good prices, good styling, good QUALITY, and good performance, tailored to your needs, and able to change as your needs change without having to invest in new speakers.... BUT be warned....Audiobahn woofers tend to need SPECIFIC enclosure sizes. You probably won't get off with a Q-Logic or other pre-fabbed box. The reason people are probably complaining about the crappy sound of Audiobahn and stuff along that lines is the fact that they didn't have their systems set up properly. You can't just pop your Flame Q into a Q-Logic as you would a W7. They require enclosures specific to the speaker and your desires to get the affect YOU want to hear. Also, they require more power. If you're trying to power your Flame Q with a Sony 1000w MAX amp, you're not going to get the sound you want. you need to be at least withing 70% of the reccommended RMS range of the sub for the reliablity and quality you want. Anything less than their RMS reccomendations isn't very healthy for the subwoofer, causing pre-mature blow-outs.

SO: The bottom line is this: Spend a few dollars and/or a few hours to build a custom box for your Audiobahn Sub (A carpeted MDF ported box will run around $70 if you build it, or more if you have it done professionally (i.e. Tweeter, or other private REPUTABLE car audio stores)) and power it with at least 70% of the juice it likes in its diet, and you'll have a real performer that sounds AWESOME TO YOU and that lasts a good long time!

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~WAYLAND

some body agrees with me, man, don;t even compare jl to alpine in sound quality, sure they got there w7, but, wait for the type x, i bet it will detstroy, sure it doesn;t cost 1000 bucks like the w7, but like i said, jl is over priced,

There is an old saying, "the proof is in the pudding." JL has proven themselves to be one of, if not the best automotive subwoofer manufacturer in the world. You want what they have, sure, you're gonna have to spend the money. But you know what you are getting when you lay the money down - no question about it. Other manufacturers...who knows?

Something else to think about (along the lines of what customsuburb said): look how long it takes for JL Audio to put out a new subwoofer model/design. That's because they (and select others) are the ones who are pioneering all of the newest technologies, using the best parts and construction techniques. The other companies come out with similar products months later (after they've renamed/rebranded the patented ideas that JL came out with first, and using cheaper parts and construction). Think about it.

Anyway, like SOME of us have said previously, Audiobahns will generally do what you you want them to do for a cheaper price. If you like the sound and can live with them without feeling put down any time somone says they suck, then that's all that really matters.

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VEHICLE: 2002 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Alpine CDA-7940
AudioControl EQT x2
JL Audio 1000/1
JL Audio 10W6 (originals) x3
Kicker ZR120
Kicker ZR460
Polk GXR-6 x4
Polk GXR-4 x2

97neon

To say that JL products are over rated is ridiculous, JL has the reputation that they do because they have earned it. Their products far exceed anything produced by Audiobahn in both build and sound quality, if all you are after is SPL regardless of SQ then fine, more power to you, use Audiobohn or any other brand that floats your boat. Just do not put down a proven performer like JL, it makes you sound like you don't know what the hell you're talking about. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against audiobahn, they make decently priced products for the mass market and that's great, that's their niche. JL does not aim for that market and their prices and products reflect that. As always you get what you pay for.

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I have been using numerous audiobahn products. I find that the new bottom of the barrel is not the greatest sub for your money. There amps are not really anything special, not again for the money. I still personally run audiobahns in my truck. If you are the type of guy that whats to buy really high end gear take a good look at their subs. Their new immortal line up are pretty wild, the efficency rating is 97db that really high for any sub. Oh by the way I have never melted an audiobahn sub, I have had one stink like it's about to go but its alright. Finally if you want another brand that you would like to check out I have also used a lot of mephis gear, awsome stuff, kind of ugly though.

Goodluck

OK who ever thinks that audiobahn makes great products must be someone who works on commision at best buy to pay off their nintendo. I dont care what you say about audiobahn products ,they are crap. If you think JL overprices their products at least they have a good reason ; QUALITY. Now if you're talkin about Audiobahn then they just overprice their middle of the line and up prodcuts because of the looks and features. And like ive said alpine is just hyping up their sub. Just cause it sounds good on paper dosnt mean it will blow away the W7. In fact Alpine seems to like to hype up their products lately. Look at their CDA-9821 CDA-9823 and CDA-9825 . All they did was change the looks and amplifier power rating. Big difference in performance ,DONT THINK SO.

Customsurburb

I must say that i do not hate JL by no means actually I am pretty fond of their gear. The w7 are something else. I had a ten in a tline box that I built and it was amazing. But common you really aren't going to audiobahn to the best buy level with sony, alpine, poineer and all that crap that kids buy because these companies spend millions in advertising in all of the leading magazines. I understand your dislike in audiobahn and you feel it is overpriced but check out Rockford Fosgates TRF2215 spl sub you wanna talk overpriced, what a peice of crap. After i seen a price on ebay for 1100 $us new in box I check their web page curious to what was so special. Go figure that they do not release any Theile Parameters on web page, thats when you know your dealing with pure crap!!

Rockford makes pretty good products also but I havnt really noticed any overpricing on them except for their subs and they are pretty good. About Audiobahn ,I agree with Ksin291 that if you want something just for spl then go with audiobahn. This is all some younger people want a sub to do is play loud(dosnt have to sound good these are the kind of people who want it just loud ,it dosnt have to play loud but still sound good) and how it looks. These are the things Audiobahn provides. And if anyone thinks I hate Alpine I dont. I just think they overhype their products and their V12 amps are a little bit overpriced also.

I understand now were you are coming from. My business partner would agree with you on the RF gear. I personally just can't get into it. I find it to be extremely punchy, i suppose that is what they are going for. I build custom enclousers of any kind wood, glass, sealed, ported, tline, etc.. and I can't get them to do what I want. But you are right for the quys that just want a kicking system for everday music the bottom of the barrel RF's are big bang for the buck, I just couldn't see myself spending big money on them. Mabye it was an error on ebay but it said 1100 bucks buy it now, seems high to me.

LOL Someone must have given the Ebay computer a joint. posted_image

I mean server. another two sentence post :(

Since your there and you seem to be open for debate. I want to ask what your out look on mephis. Aswell have you looked at my post for the us amp vlx 400 and if so I presume that you are not sure.

I havnt had a lot of experience with memphis (I have never listened to them ,although a dealer where I live does sell them ,its in a kind of shady part of town so I dont really like to visit). they seem to be able to make pretty good quality products though from what i have heard.

I definetly recommend checking it out. Alot of JL hardcores that I know switch to this gear. This stuff is definetly under rated for wattage. At the show this year they ran 8000 watts rms to 1 of their subs full gain, all other companies burnt out their equipment in under 4 minutes, after 6 with memphis the crowd got board and they finally shut it off. Well any way I work in the morning so I am done for the evening. I am sure that I will run into you again, and there is nothing that I like more than a good stereo debate, except maybe stereo's themselves.

i just got 2 memphis mojo 15s, and they hit sooo hard, its almost too much bass ( if thats possible). i used to have audiobahn subs, and now that ive got memphis, i couldnt be happier.

you can kinda get an idea of the quality of the audio product by the advertising if you have to guess what the hott chick in the add is selling its probably crap

I haven't used memphis, or audiobahn, but my impressions of what I have read and seen of them is that they are little better than the Pyrimads, Audivox and kraco's that boast 500w eqs for $40. at your local wal-mart... My experience has been with Pheonix gold, Kicker, Eclipse, and infinity, and have just started checking out the mb quarts.. if you want quality that lasts.. you gotta pay for it. Also remember mobile electronics is not a regulated industry, they can say what ever they want about there products... and believe me they use very liberal testing practices. Quality costs, as well as performance... take it from there.

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Wanted: More help than most

i have used there subs as well as there amps and for the price you cant go wrong>>just my opinion....

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THE LOUDER THE BETTER !!!!!!
CAN YOU FEEL IT ?????

MAXST] wrote:

ersonally, if you are looking for a cheaper product, go with adire audio at www.adireaudio.com Their products are almost the best, below eclipse and JL, but they arent very expenive, so they are a great buy.

audiobahn is a subsidiary company of eclipse! IN OTHER WORDS, eclipse makes them.

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Want to know about Audi, I thought you did.

i know something that kills a JL W7 anyday. the new MTX T9500...and it is a proven fact that they are better subs than a JL W7...i also heard stories of them putting up speakers on chains, (totally free air) some of the Top of the line subs like JL, MB quart, Kicker, and i think they even had Sony's top of the line sub chained up there with them. they started out with a certain input of wattage to the speakers, and kept on increasing the power, of course the first to go was the sony, but in the end it was JL and MTX still going, JL went and MTX went twice as long as the JL did! :p thats just stories though..(shrugs)

JL Audio's W7 is not strictly an SPL sub, it's for both SPL AND SQ. Not sure about the MTX sub, but my guess is it's strictly an SPL sub, and therefore, SHOULD last longer than a W7. If it didn't then you'd have some pretty obvious answers from that test (or story)...

That's where a lof of people are (I think) getting confused in this thread. There is a difference between SPL and SQ. Some subs can do both better than those that do one or the other.

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VEHICLE: 2002 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Alpine CDA-7940
AudioControl EQT x2
JL Audio 1000/1
JL Audio 10W6 (originals) x3
Kicker ZR120
Kicker ZR460
Polk GXR-6 x4
Polk GXR-4 x2

I would like to see the info that eclipse is a parent company.

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I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.

Chadfx you're right about audiobahn products but I havnt heard anything bad about Memphis products. From what it looks and sounds like to me Memphis is alot better then any of the walmart crapp products you said have the same performance as they do.

Audiobahn products cant even hold a candle to memphis products, memphis can run with the big dogs of the car audio world

Ok I will post my 2 pennies on this one! i have played with alot of audiobahn and for the money they do hit well. I just installed 2 aluminum 15's in my lexus and they sounded like ass! i then replaced them with 4 swiss audio 12's and let me tell you SWISS audio is making a name. They hit very hard without any distortion and they are pocket friendly.

On another note I just finished a grandam for clowning purposes and let me tell you. It was so funny....... I did 2 cheap a$$ audiobahn 12's in a sealed box powered by 4 jensen(yes I said JENSEN) 200 watt amps. This car hits rediculas. We spent $240 for box,amps,subs,wiring,and distribution blocks.

I have head audiobahn products get with it and I have heard other stuff sound like ass. I am going to have to stay neutral on this one.

although I ran 3 mtx thunder 5000 12's in my nissan hardbaody and it was killer. I ran a custom bandpass box and a orion 250 hcca. people were thinking I had jl's untill they saw 3 $130 woofers in there. I personally think it all depends on the enclosure. I ran that set up for 4 years untill the box blew apart and the subs blew.

i will have to agree with most of the people on here and go with jl's,mtx,kicker,or swiss audio(if you can get them)

LEXX