Audiobahn system
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=36445
Printed Date: May 13, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Topic: Audiobahn system
Posted By: hoosierdaddy
Subject: Audiobahn system
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:52 AM
Well, all this talk of how bad Audiobahn sucks is kind of bumming me out. I've spent my whole summer in California at an internship at a crappy marketing firm, with the only solace being that I've ordered a completely new system for my truck (you guessed it, Audiobahn) and its waiting to be installed back in Illinois. I mean, am I going to be really disappointed with my new system or what? I've ordered the A2150HCT 1200 watt amp, A4002T 200 watt amp, ABC6002Q components, and I've got the AWP312T 1200 watt sub on order. This is an upgrade from an Autotek2150 300 watt amp, pushing a 10" Kicker CVR, with an Eclipse 30 X 4 amp pushing 4 infinity reference series coaxials. Oh yeah, I plan on doing fiberglass for the new sub, so I'll probably be posting on ehre about that too sometime soon.
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MG
Replies:
Posted By: ice4life8269
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 6:33 AM
well man, you will be ok with it for a little while, the audiobahns will act like audiobahns and then you'll be upset. i'd sugest returning ALL of it
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Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 8:32 AM
Good gosh, at least keep the Eclipse amp. I'm sure your new system will be fine. I just don't know that it will be an upgrade at all from your current system. I'd rather have infinity coax powered by a nice small clean eclipse amp, personally. My advice: return your sh*t, figure out what is WRONG with your current system, look long and hard for a replacement for THAT part, spend some time listening, repeat. For example, you want louder, deep bass? Do research on a good sub and actually go to stores and listen to subwoofers. I'm guessing that you won't choose audiobahn. You want cleaner midrange than you infinity coax's can provide? Go to the store and listen to quality component drivers. Do your research. Again, probably won't choose audiobahn. Now this is all moot if super elite chrome (are the kids calling it 'ice' these days?) and PHAT 2" surrounds get you off. Then, by all means, go with audiobahn. ;-) ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: stereofreak
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 10:04 AM
all this dogging audiobahn is gonna make me not wanna carry them in my store,what is wrong with them?!?someone give some good reasons and some insight.
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if i can't make it sound good,then it is just a piece of crap anyway
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 10:39 AM
They are overpriced for what they are. They are overrated - who knows about the power specs, but I HIGHLY doubt their 50x2 amp is >100db s/n and 0.02 THD at the rated rms power. I don't like the sound of their coax or component speakers. Haven't heard their subs.
They seem to spend more money on the looks than on research and quality sound. Chrome flames? Bling-bling isn't for everyone. It gives it more of a 'toy' feel than quality audio components. I personally dog them a lot just because I'd rather not have that trend catch on. I'd rather have the amplifier look like sh*t if the company instead spends that extra cash on quality sound and reliability.
Bottom line. For the same price I'd rather have many other brands. Just my opinion.
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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: hoosierdaddy
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 10:57 AM
I guess my main question is, based on the equipment that I was using before, will the new Audiobahn system sound better? Will I get better, louder, deeper bass with a 1200 watt RMS audiobahn 12" getting 1200 watts RMS as opposed to a 300 watt 10" kicker sub getting 300 watts RMS? And will Audiobahn components rated at 200 watts RMS getting 200 watts RMS sound better than Infinity reference coaxials getting 30 watts RMS/channel x 4? Am I going to be seriously pissed when I get this stuff hooked up because it going to sound like butt? I'm not a super-audiophile or anything, just a college kid looking for a pretty loud system. I really don't feel like returning all of this stuff mainly because I ordered it all online and shipping everything back will cost a lot (shipping/restocking fees), and I also got really good prices on everything, i.e. A2150HCT 1200 watt amp retail $719, paid $300.
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MG
Posted By: MAXST
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 11:24 AM
It'll be loud noise...
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I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.
Posted By: ice4life8269
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 11:25 AM
ok man, i have another plan for you.... sell it to someone without opening it, and use that money to get something else
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 11:41 AM
Audiobahn stuff always get discounted huge because the sh*t is marked up through the roof. Its the same marketing ploy as what boss audio uses. Retail a driver at 300 bucks, put a cost of 65 bucks on it and when a customer comes in offer to give him half price on it and he will be so amazed at the deal he is getting he will buy it if he has the money in his pocket. The store is still making over 50 points and the customer thinks that they just got an amazing deal and they now have a hook up at a store in town who will give them "phat" deals. Its been used for a long time and is gonna continue to be used. BTW if you ever get an amp that claims to be 1200 watts RMS for 300 bucks then its not 1200 watts RMS, its bull sh*t.
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: hoosierdaddy
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:01 PM
Well, I guess I forgot to mention, but the reason I'm doing Audiobahn is that I need a sub that's really shallow because I'm putting all of this into a regular cab Dodge Dakota ('03 SXT). The sub I'm getting is the AWP312T and it has a mounting depth of only 4.5". Does anyone have any other suggestions for a sub that's really shallow? The Kicker 10" CVR has like a 5 3/4" mounting depth, but the MDF box that I made is still too big (angled box 3" at the top, and like 7" at the bottom, I think). I plan on doing fiberglass for the new setup so I can maximize space and not have the box stick out as far so that my passengers' knees aren't crammed against the dashboard. I was also looking at the Earthquake SWS12's, but they're only 300 watts RMS. Their mounting depth is like 3.5" or something and they've got over 2" of excursion. Oh yeah, I'm going back to school on August 23rd, so I need to get all of my equipment at least a week before then so I can fabricate the box and install everything before I go back to school...
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MG
Posted By: hoosierdaddy
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:03 PM
Oh yeah, so I got all audiobahn just because I thought it'd be good to stick with the same brand for all of my stuff.
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MG
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:13 PM
Brand matching, for the most part, doesnt matter at all. Makes it a little easier to match up numbers, for example in audiobahn, everyything is overrated on the same sliding scale so if the amp says 1200 watts and the sub says 1200 watts it should be a good match, also if the one amp says 1200 and the other says 400 then its a good bet the smaller amp is actually about 1/3 the power but as far as sound goes when its in the vehicle brand matching doesnt matter. With the exception of timbre matching the speakers its a good Idea to stay in the same brand and even more specifically the same series in that brand when choosing your coax or component speakers.
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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:15 PM
No need to stick with the same brand and I would get out of the habit of looking at wattage so closely. RMS wattage does not equal loudness. I bet your infinity coax drivers and eclipse amp will sound just as good as the audiobahn setup. ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: hoosierdaddy
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:51 PM
Well, this is all some pretty helpful info, but since I've already bought the stuff from online stores and ebay, I really don't think I'm going to return any of it becusae it'd be too much of a pain. And I don't have time now to research a new system anyway. The only thing I might be able to replace is the subwoofer since it's on backorder. I coudl cancel it and get something else, but what to get? Like I said, I was looking at the Earthquake SWS12 but I'm not sure if they're any good. Haven't heard anything about them, plus hardly anyone online is selling it. Anyone ever heard one in person or heard good things about them? If I did go with the Earthquakes, I'd probably get 2 since they're only 300 RMS a piece (single 2-ohm coil, so get 2 and run in parallel since amp is 1-ohm stable).
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MG
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 12:59 PM
There are A LOT of quality subs out there. How much are you looking to spend? ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: Paradigm
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 1:23 PM
He's not just looking for quality, kfr01. He also has a depth issue he has to worry about. This will limit him somewhat on his selection. I would have to agree with most of the responses so far - I think once you get this system installed, you more than likely be disappointed with the results. But since I don't know what your listening preferences are, or what you are expecting from this new setup other than "something loud", I could be wrong. You may be surprised even. My brother in law bought a 12" audiobahn sub and says it sounds better than the 3 JL Audio 10W6's he had previously. So to each his own  ------------- 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
Posted By: hoosierdaddy
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 1:26 PM
Well, the Audiobahn AWP312T sub is between $199-$249 depending on where you get it, retail is $459. So I really don't want to spend more than $250. The Earthquake SWS12 is $179, but if I got 2, it'd be like $360, quite a bit more than what i'd like to spend.
In all seriousness though, can someone give me a few legit reason why Audiobahn is bad? Like, is it comparable to Kenwood? Alpine? Polk? Sony???? Or is this just a case of like PC users saying that Mac sucks and Mac users saying that PC sucks, just because there's some innate hatred? My first question still remains though, "will my new system sound better than my old system???"
BTW, I've used PC's and Mac's and I get along fine with both, thank you.
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MG
Posted By: xtreamcc
Date Posted: July 30, 2004 at 5:41 PM
Well seem's everyone else here beat me to this audiobahn fest. Anyway, I can tell u from first hand experience you're going to be disappointed with the AWP's. Of all the audiobahn speakers they are the newest and the sh*ttiest. Their extended voice coils over heat like there's no tomarrow and they will literally melt to the spider and magnetic gap locking the cone in place perminately.
Contrary to what I've said in other posts I dont hate audiobahn, as in I hate everything they make. I hate everything they make that I've had (or friends that I've installed for) that has totally and completely f**ked up. Audiobahn's 'warranty' is about as valuable and redeamable as parrot sh*t. So one of 2 things is going to happen here. A)Your system will be installed and you'll listen to it in moderation a miracle will happen and nothing will go wrong, or B)you'll play it like its rated to be played and the all to common effects will kick in and all the sudden you'll have a bunch of non-functioning chrome paperweights.
In comparison, I would say event sony has the upper hand on audiobahn, hell, with their recent cuts in quality I'd event compare them to sh*t like pyramid and pyle, sony's too good of a comparison for them.
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"Shiny chrome when used in conjunction with bikini models is particularly effective in inducing brain deficit disorder"
02 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Monster System on its way.
Posted By: ice4life8269
Date Posted: August 03, 2004 at 6:30 AM
lol xtreamcc. this idiot the i work with just bought 2, and spent $400 so his other boss could make him a box.... can't wait till they melt...... he runs them hot most of the time, it will be any day now, i'll se if i can get some pics for you guys
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Posted By: fuseblower
Date Posted: August 03, 2004 at 7:24 AM
It looks like you are really confined to space which limits your speaker sizes. Did you take a look at the pioneer TS-SW124D. You can find this sub for 100 each online. I never heard one personally but you probably can hear one at a local dealer since it's pioneer. Audiobahn, really hits hard but there lifespans are limited.
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