Printer Friendly Forum Posts - Audiobahn Haters!

Well my friend ordered 2 audiobahn aw1051t's and a Power Acoustic 2 x 300rms @ 2 ohms a couple months ago, but we finaly installed them this weekend in his grand cherokee. all i have to say is wow. i put them in a pre built sealed dual chambered box with about 1.7 cu ft. per sub. i was worried before the install becuz all i have heard is bitch bitch bitch bitch about audiobahn but they sound awesome. very smooth and tight but can pound the low notes with ease. the amp volume hasnt even been turned to 1. only the bass boost is on. maybe im just raving becuz i had super low expectations but u have to look at the prices too. $40 dollars per sub and the amp was $130! not bad. and i installed everything for about 35$ plus a panasonic headunit which is hella sweet. i just thought all you audiobahn haters should know that i got their sh*ttiest speakers to sound good. i have some pics i get up later. peace

-------------
blah blah blah blah

We don't bitch...we tell the truth. If you look at other brands you can easily find equipment that outperforms Audiobahn for the same price or less, and If Audiobahn was smart they would spend more money on R&d and not chrome and flames. Then whoever installs it decides to use the bass boost instead of the gain...sounds smart to me. I'm sure everything will last for a day or two running like that.

-------------

ummm, well I wouldnt say anything besides why are you running the bass boost up all the way with gains or vol at 1 hmmmm and For the longest time I ran JL w0's and guess what could destroy about everyone on the road...Yes you get what you pay for. But simple things for simple minds I guess, Try building a slot ported box, I think you will get alot more out of them

-------------
2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place

well the amp is cheap so the bass boost is just a switch and there is no gain, just amp level, hpf, lpf, filter switch and the bass boost switch

-------------
blah blah blah blah

There's a gain....you just don't recognize it. If you have to use the bass boost, something ain't right.

-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

ummmm there is no gain, Last time I checked the Amp level was typically a gain knob...Just my though...Here is a quick test, Turn the amp level all the way up turn your bass boost all the way up, and if it sounds horrible then "bam" you have it

-------------
2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place

Yeah - rave all you want if it makes you feel better. No one here is going to change their mind on the low quality for the price of Audiobahn.

-------------
New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Cheep stuff is always impressive...especially when you haven't heard a real system posted_image

-------------
2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

Alpine Guy wrote:

Cheep stuff is always impressive...especially when you haven't heard a real system

Yeah... Im wondering what your point of reference is? If you used to hearing Roadmaster subs on Dual amps, this Audiobahn setup may be impressive to you. Give me the same amount of cash (+ or - 10%) and I will build you a better setup.

Just curious as to where you got the equipment from? A licensed dealer? Ebay? How much was your shipping? I compared the cost of those subs to the cost on SoundDomain and Crutchfield, it was well below both of those. It has been my experience that when something is sold cheap over the net it is because it 1. has no warranty (seller warranties are a joke not worthy of laughing at) 2. will have a jacked up shipping cost. If its 1, then I would not consider it much of a deal. If its 2. you should look for a more honest company. If its 1 and 2, well...

Quit feeding the trolls guys.

-------------
Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

I guess this guys on a budget. But he probably got a loud system. I'm with medicate. A system with a budget is much better done with other brands instead of Audiobahan. If you want all bling and no boom... yeah chrome now sounds really good. But a chromed turd plays exactly like it smells.

And no gain? That's strange to me too.

I haven't found a problem with runing audiobahn and I consider myself a fan of earthquake and the "real" lanzar (before they hooked up with pyle). I have the same 3 amp by earthquake since 1993-1994 and only one died or about to a couple of weeks ago which I'll try to send to earthquake and get repaired (can't find an authorized service rep who will be able to get parts to fix).

Back to audiobahn.....I have their speakers and subs in my ford explorer for past 2-3 yrs without replacing any of it. I have 2pr of 3-1/2's and 2pr of 5X7's and 1pr AW1000Q. The subs are on a Kole Q1-2400 and Kole Q4-960. And I did go though and authorized dealer here in Albany, GA who can get the speakers for $50.00 pr and the subs about 125-175 a pair. You can go to Audiobahn's website and pull up their list of authorized dealers and you'll find "Tune Town" listed which is what I do for any brand I plan to use so that I do get the warranty. I checked E'bay and they do have cheap prices but not cheap shipping, plus for about the price you pay off of ebay you can go to an authorized dealer and pay the same price plus you'll be able to take it right back to them in the local area instead of shipping it off and having to pay postage going and coming. Don't make since to order off of E'bay unless you can be sure to get a $500 for $150 to include shipping costs...you'll just have to cross your fingers and hope you don't receive crap or get ripped off.

if you think a sub in a prefab box sounds great, your point of refernce needs to be expanded

LOL archemedes good point. Prefabs are for best buy people.

Hey amiyourmystery, all my roomies are from Albany. I'll pm you and see if you know them.

i would respond to you guys but damn, yall tore this thread up. oh well my friend is happy with it and so am i.

-------------
blah blah blah blah

I guess that's what's important. But just a fyi there are better (much better but...) out there. Just my opinion though.

boxmaker, i couldnt agree with you more, there is a lot better than audiobahn out there and ill probly never go with audiobahn, ill stick to my alpine. but my friend was on a budget and found a good deal on those so he bought em. i just wanted people to know that they sounded pretty damn good.

-------------
blah blah blah blah

My 2 cents..........A neighbor has 2 - 12" Audiobreaks.....I mean Bahns. He's had them in the car for about 4 months and so far no "break". The Damn things do get loud as hell but the bass is all muddy kinda distorted. I tried to tweak the gains and volumes and such but no luck cleaning them up. You cant Polish a Turd. Im glad you friend is Happy and thats what counts , now take your friend to the next Usaci event to open his eyes and ears when you can.

-------------
99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components

Rushman wrote:

You cant Polish a Turd.

unfortunately i'm going to have to disagree with you this time rushman...i had two twelve inch jbl gtis running off a crown 2200.1 for about two years...they died and as i just bought my fiances ring i didn't have money to get the dd 3500s that i want...a friend gave...gave me a pair of audiobahn sound q's...i built a box for them...bout 5.5 cubic feet tuned to about 32hz and they don't sound bad at all...so you can polish a turd...but lets be real...its still just a polished turd...while they dont sound bad...they don't sound 300 bones a piece good...but for free...i'm happy

.hopefully to end this topic, its great when the forum decides to post on a certain topic but people lets be real everybody has feelings and they don't need to get hurt when they are mearly trying to share their joy or to get help. Helping the forum is great, trying to get a person to buy 1 company over another due to some personal preference is also just dandy but to critique some ones system and what they could get is another story every1 should know what pride they have in their system and its like steping on them to call their system sh*t. it would be real nice if every1 would take this into thought when they are posting and try to keep their posts positive and less threating.

Ketel

-------------
Quad L Handyman services

bumpingjeep.........the cool thing is at least you DO know the difference between good and bad equipment , I mean you know whats what. I would have done the same as you in a financial pinch. Youve heard the saying there's Budwieser and then there's Free. (or whatever brand beer). I admit I have been suprised after installing really cheap systems the quality of sound. Im not talking contest winning sound but pretty good bang for your buck. I just had to join in on the Bahn Bashing as Ive seen them fry out a time or two.

-------------
99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components

rushman...while i said i was disagreeing with you it was actually the opposite...but im no good at sarcasm...sorry...ktel...you are also correct...however...anyone who opens a post as _________ haters...and speaks from their opinion alone is fair game to everyone elses opinions...it's not what he has in his car anyway its his friends...thats it im done...clearly we have all struck a nerve here...i'm out...peace

While I agree with Ketel too on moderating bashing to a respectable level, I also agree with bumpingjeep that the choice of the title invited more comment than the author might have wanted. The title was a challenge. Just a poor choice of words for a post that meant just to express surprised pleasure at the sound of the system.

-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

No Harm done Bump.........my bad too. ktel , you are also absolutely correct. We have to start somewhere I guess.

-------------
99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components

well guys im sorry if i pissed you off, it wasn't my intention. if i could, id change the name of the topic to audiobahn lovers!

-------------
blah blah blah blah

heh heh Of course, you know you wouldn't get any responses if you did that, now don't you posted_image

-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

haha thats right stevdart. oh yeah and whats wrong with using the bass boost?

-------------
blah blah blah blah

A couple of things. The bass boost is a gain, for one. If you set the amp gain and get it just right with the deck voltage input.....then boost the bass, you have in fact increased the amp gain and you throw everything out of whack. Generally could lead to clipping and failure of the sub down the line. Another thing is, to boost the bass at whatever freq curve the amp might have (say 60 Hz), is to say "I have really set up a crappy sounding system, the frequency curve of the sub is missing sound in the 60 Hz range, and I need to boost it up to get the curve right".

In reality, you rarely have a deficiency of sound in the bass boost freq range. The deficiencies are usually somewhere else, if they are there at all. The control is there as a throwback to the originally ill-conceived "loud" button on OEM decks and home amplifiers, which boosted lows and highs to compensate for low volume. It sounded like crap then and still does today.

The best thing to have is a sub controller in the cabin, as a lot of manufacturers provide now. Those only attenuate the bass, they don't boost it.

-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

ok i gotchya, the subs were brand new and werent broken in yet, so i figured if i left the gain down but put on the bass boost it would provide plenty of bump without damaging them. that way we could go ridin that night. but after that we turned it off and i told him to keep it off for another week, to break them in better. im still kinda new to car audio but ive installed about 5 systems over the past year and they're all goin strong. what do you recommend for breaking in new subs though?

-------------
blah blah blah blah

Don't worry about breaking them in. If the sub maker required it, they would tell you in the manual. Just use common sense with a new system, or with any new components of that system. Start off on the easy side of loud, until such a time that you determine that everything is as it should be.

What you said above---- you erred by not setting gain right from the start. A critical part of the installation. Set gain to match input voltage, by meter is best but most people do it by ear. Try to get it right, and a lot of amps have voltage markings around the gain so you can pinpoint the input a little better (you also have to know what the deck puts out). You should leave the bass boost off at this time. Once you have the system up and running, play it for several hours, using different music sources and different types. Then you can tweak the gain to clean out any distortion that makes its way into the sound. Then, only if you have determined that it sucks for sound, turn on the bass boost and say to hell with it! No, j/k, leave the damn thing off.

-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

I think that if the guy thinks he got a good deal, and he likes the way it sounds, then he did get a good deal. Sound is in the ear of the beholder. What sounds good to him might sound like that turd you guys talked about to someone else. The number one reason for Car Audio is to make ourselves happy with the hobbie we all love. If cheap stuff makes you happy then by all means knock your self out. If you want to spend a mint then have a ball. Remember one mans turd is anothers.................. Well you know. That's my cent and a half. posted_image

-------------
Big Dave

boxmaker85 wrote:

LOL archemedes good point. Prefabs are for best buy people.
Hey amiyourmystery, all my roomies are from Albany. I'll pm you and see if you know them.

I take great offense to that....Give us the labor and resources to build custom boxes and we would....a 17 yr old who drives a 95 buick skylark who is looking to put some subs in his car really isnt concerned about the box...Yea boxes make a difference to someone who A) looking for competition quality 2)has the money Get real dude not everyone kid wants a nice fiberglass box or has one idea how to build one...Hence why we sell already made boxes.

-------------
Best Buy Installer

I have found that the reason "most",but not all installers hate pre-fab boxes is that they didn't get to charge $400 for $40 worth of mdf, glue, and staples.The shops in my area charge ungodly amounts of money to build a box. Yes a custom box is the best, but not everone can afford a custom.I work alone so If I build a box I have to charge at least $300 for the time. On the other hand I can sell them a pre-fab for $100 or less and they are happy as a kid in a candy store. I can't say this enough some people don't have $2000 to spend on a system. And they don't want to wait 6 months to a year to save that kind of money. Remember "best buy people" love this hobby too, and should not be looked down on because they go to Best Buy, or Circuit City, Wal-mart, flea market booth, etc........

-------------
Big Dave

speedwayaudio1 wrote:

I have found that the reason "most",but not all installers hate pre-fab boxes is that they didn't get to charge $400 for $40 worth of mdf, glue, and staples.

Actually, I hate the way they sound. Personally I can make more money installing 2-3 alarms in the same time it takes to build 1 enclosure. Most shops in my area will charge a minimum $250 for a basic sealed box and the largest retailer only pays the installer 25-50 for a custom box.

One more thing, come on $40 in materials? More like $25 in materials at wholesale.

-------------
Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

... which is all why I don't work in retail ..

-------------
Support the12volt.com

auex][ wrote:

UOTE=speedwayaudio1]
I have found that the reason "most",but not all installers hate pre-fab boxes is that they didn't get to charge $400 for $40 worth of mdf, glue, and staples.

mdf must be cheap where you come from.

-------------
Big Dave

Houston , Tx. 4 X 8 mdf = $30.............1 tube clear silicone = $5 ..............3 lbs. 3" brads = $5 ................4 X 6 trunk liner carpet = $30 ..............1 can spray adheasive = $13 $83 to build a box for 2 - 12" subs. Blowing away the Best Buy Box............Priceless.......ha-ha , joking

-------------
99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components

I build box's every day for $150. That is 3/4 MDF, carpeted, sealed or ported. If the ones at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. won't fit; will they build one for you? If people run the installers out of business by using these chain stores, who will you go to when you need a professional?

-------------
'85 Toy

Yeah prefabs are for 17 yearold kids who just want to try and sound cool but are you or I or most of the otherguys on this forum 17 yo kids? Uh... probably not. I just did 2 boxes off of one sheet mdf ($22), screws, caulk, glue, spray paint (cheap finish but...) all bout $40ish bucks. Now two 12" boxes for let's say $45 compared to two boxes from best buy that run $160? Hm.... Now that bestbuy price sounds like a chunk of money that I could do a custom fg install with. And look a heck of a lot better than mdf. Supradude here could build boxes for only $100 and still make some decent profit off of it himself.

And no offence but by the time a kid's got all his equipment from bestbuy (let's say 2 12" subs) and everything installed he could get a small fg install done (a single 10") for close to the same price. And they would both probably sound bout the same as far as sq and spl (might be a little less on this but close).

Even a completely deaf man would tell you they suck.

Boxmaker85, I charge less than half of what most people charge in my area for box's. And most of what I build is for people that need a difficult shape to fit their vehicle, not the basic stuff you see in stores and on the internet. My point is, most people go to a store and buy them, and don't even price one to have built. That is their choice. If they can't buy it in a store to fit, then they have to come to people like me and have it built. What will hey do when the only ones around are the ones that charge $300 to $400 to build them? Sorry if I touched a nerve.

-------------
'85 Toy

Im right there with ya Superdude , Im not going to build them for free , my time is worth somthing but Im not going to RAPE some one for the shirt off thier back. I only do this as a hobby and each one I build is slightly different in one way or another. Even if I did this for a living , I wouldnt charge the outrageous prices to have a custom box built. On occasion , I can justify a larger price due to a very complex design but on avg........NOT. I understand that the avg. Joe probly doesnt have the time , or tools , or carpentry skills but its still no excuse to RAPE people like most custom shops do.

-------------
99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components

Im not sure how this topic went from "Audiobahn is sweet!!" to "Prefab boxes suck." But I suppose I will put in my 2 cents anyways. The shop I buy the majority of my stuff from really pushes the pre fab boxs. Although they will custom make a box if it needs to fit somewhere, or if someone asks for a custom made one, but they deal in mostly prefab. My box is prefab, 3/4" mdf i believe and its really nice. A friend of mine bought a custom box from some kid whose brother made it. Its really nice looking and sounds amazing. The damn thing weighs as much without subs in it as mine does with the subs, but it sounds real nice. I would like, at some point, to try my hand at making boxes. But i suck at wood working and its sort of a expensvie thing to screw up, so I guss for the time being I will stick with my prefab.

-------------

Yeah not saying that there aren't prefabs that do the job good but.... It's like comming across a good Audiobahan sub...doesn't happen very often. posted_image And when you do you pay a ton of money.

speedwayaudio1 wrote:

mdf must be cheap where you come from.

Even from Home Depot here, a sheet of 3/4 mdf is only $18.00.

-------------
Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

I only have one more thing to say on this subject, or should I say "ask". If you have a pair of subs(any brand) and let's say they need 1cubic ft each. And you buy a "pre-fab" thats made of 3/4" mdf. And it's 1 cubic ft in each chamber. Now you have a box built using 3/4" mdf with 1 cubic ft per chamber. Now both boxes are made with the same spec's, same materials. Now what makes the "custom built box" better? I understand if you put subs in a pre-fab that need more air space or less air space then the pre-fab has, you can still match a sub and a pre-fab. Hey don't get me wrong I like a custom box you can make the install look very custom and you can match the sub and air space right on. you can still do the same in a pre-fab. If you can't find on thats right on the size you need. You buy one with as little over air space as you can, then use solid wood blocks to take up air space. Now 1 more thing. What is wrong with 17 year old kids?? They spend their money just like everone else. People talk down on these "kids", but I'll tell you they are good customers and they have money. And that helps feed my family and many of yours too. I said this in this thread before we all love car audio and no one should be looked down on because "you" don't think the same way. opinions are like buttholes everbody's got one...........

-------------
Big Dave

the big thing with prefab boxes is they don't take into consideration the displacement of the driver, also they use a safety margin as a compromise, you can build to a subs specific needs

1 cubic ft is 1 cubic ft. no matter who builds it. I lied this is the last thing I have to say on this subject.

-------------
Big Dave

I strongly disagree that 1cu ft always = another 1cu ft enclosure.

Everyone's point is that the construction counts - big time! A well braced and damped box will sound much better at higher volume levels because box resonance and wall flex will be more under control. See the Loudspeaker Cookbook for graphs and measurements on what bracing and damping can do.

A pre-fab box will normally not be braced and damped like a custom box can. Furthermore, they might have done a sloppy/loose glue job, etc.

Anyway. I almost didn't respond, but in MOST cases pre-fab boxes are not good and I totally disagree with your opinion.

-------------
New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Carpet covers a multitude of sins, so if anyone has the slightest inclination to try their hand at building their own box, they should give it a go. Sometimes the hardest part is getting the sheet of MDF because of the transportation factor, but you can usually have it cut into two or three pieces to fit into your vehicle. Circular saw for cutting the pieces, jigsaw for cutting the holes, with the starter hole made by a drill. Not a perfect hole like you can make with a router, but once the speaker is installed it looks perfect. And always design it to look a little different from a pre-fab box. Give it a few days to get done, and it's well worth the effort when it's all done for the sheer satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself.

-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

i have two audiobahn 12q's and i think they are great spl subs...i am using a mtx 1501d and it really pounds...

sigh... way to revive a dead topic.

-------------
New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Yeah. Why did someone have to dig this post up?

-------------
Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Don't know, but I am an Audiobahn hater, with a masters degree in hating it. It is the biggest junk in the world! Maybe if i add some chrome to my brahma's they might sound as good as one of those 34" things!

-------------
"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.