Printer Friendly Forum Posts - Which Woofer is better and why?

I have been told by peeps on this board that choosing the right woofer depends on the Woofer's SPL Rating (which I think is the same as Woofer Sensitivity).

Also Everyone keeps blasting how Audiobahn stuff sux and do not buy them, but the Woofer's look good in comparison to other brands which I know is reputable.

I was going to go with the Audiobahn AWES10P or the AW1006T, but peeps told me to stay away from it.

Well, I looked at others people have suggested and looked at the Rockford Fosgate Power Stage 1 T110D4 and was thinking about this one. Also was a nice Alpine Type-R SWR-1042D.

I did a comparison on Crutchfield and looked at those three:

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-4FzeQnSjltQ/cgi-bin/ProdComp.asp?g=67600&c=10&s=0&cc=01&pt2=0&ITM500SWR1042=on&ITM037AW1006T=on&ITM575T110D4=on&x=37&y=10

The Speaker Sensitivity is lower on the Alpine and the Rockford, but the Audiobahn is 95dB for the AW1006T and 90dB for the Audiobahn AWES10P.

So let me know why the Audiobahn is not the right choice here? Thank you all!

The audiobahn units are a much cheeper quality product known for shabby performance, and a high failure rate. Some people however do like the sound of them while they last.

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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.

SPL is not the same as sensitivity.... https://www.electronixwarehouse.com/education/glossary/S.htm That will clarify the two for ya.

As Alpine said above, Audiobahn's products are considered of weaker material and fail faster. Most people dislike it(I am one) and some like the product. Really, you can find other names that produce better quality subs like well, it depends on how much money you have to work with and what you want. That'll make it the easiest for suggestions to look at.

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1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm

I think Audiobahn stretches the truth with sensitivity numbers.

Their Immortal sub's 97db ... please. Make me gag.

In other words, picking Audiobahn just because of efficiency numbers wouldn't be smart. Unless, of course, you believe that Audiobahn magically produced a woofer breaking the laws of physics that all other driver manufacturers are bound to. It is precisely this kind of rating - designed to catch unsuspecting customers - that turns me off to Audiobahn. You'd think if they actually had quality products they could use the same system as everyone else. Just something to think about.

Caveat: The numbers could be correct - for the test that they conduct. For example, they could be measuring efficiency with the microphone closer to the driver, only over a certain range, or using any number of variable and non-standard ways to conduct their tests. Subwoofers are much more efficient if only tested over a limited and relatively high frequency band. i.e. 70-120hz. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

In any event, it would be foolish to pick Audiobahn simply based on efficiency numbers.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Some manufactures inflate numbers, always have. Some are closer to the truth then others. They do this because inflated specs make sales. The methods used and such undeclared values as the amount of distortion allowed or amount of voltage input drastically change the end result.

Audiobahn is in the crap category in my book. If you could listen to those three subs, side by side (which I suggest you do) you would hear the difference.

Those companies with a reputation for high quality also tend to have specs that are real world. In other words their names garner respect for a reason.

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What will you get for Christmas, bad boy? Coal........or Visonik?? - stevdart

Wow, is everyone clueless and lost in the dark? - uthinkuknoaudio

Did any of you go to the link I posted? Look at the link and please give your honest opinions (I know the Audiobahn is obviously crap).

Thank you for clarifying what SPL and Speaker Sensitivity is.

What should I look for in deciding the right Subwoofer?

Isn't SPL measured when you have everything installed already and functional? Because I haven't really seen a SPL spec on speakers when I look around.

I'm looking for a goo 600W RMS Sub Solution. I'd like to stay 2Ohm stable.

Sensitivity is pretty much meaningless when looking at subwoofers as power handling will be determined by the enclosure. IMO shooting for a high efficiency in car audio is a mistake. This is because you have to give up something to achieve this higher efficiency. You have to either give up low frequency extention, or give up a smaller enclosure size. Power is cheap so I would much rather have an inefficient sub but have the better response and have it not taking up all of my trunk.

Now as for Audiobahn, they are not testing their subs the same as other manufacturers. Most ratings are done at 1 watt at 1 meter. Audiobahn does their testing at half a meter, with 2 watts (2.83 volts on a 4 ohm driver) and in vehicle. All those things give them that inflated number. But it is not a good comparison to other speakers as no one else does that. That's like claiming my car is fastest because it is a 3 second car, but not specifying that the 3 seconds is tested at a few yards and down hill and not an actual 1/4 mile time.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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Awesome - I'm glad someone knew the particulars of their testing. I knew it had to be something like that.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

That's news to me. Audiobahn does testing?

Just animal testing. DB to them means "Dead Bunny", which happens when bunnies stare too long at flashy chrome flames. posted_image

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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Take a look at the Adire Shiva. Sure they dont have any fancy chrome, by they will sound MUCH better then the Audiobahn, or the other 2 subs you listed, and I think you will be impressed by teh specs as well.

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Don't purchase based on specs. Specs can lie, or be meaningless in your application. Or, as Steven points out, not be comparable since there are NO established industry standards. Purchase ANY speaker based on the ones you like the sound of the most. Go to shops and listen to your target speakers installed in your target enclosure type and make up your mind that way.

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Steven Kephart wrote:

Just animal testing. DB to them means "Dead Bunny", which happens when bunnies stare too long at flashy chrome flames.
Steven Kephart
Adire Audio

That is hillarious, you just gave me a new way to test my SPL without one of those expensive meters that have to be re-calibrated everytime they are looked at; I will just put a couple of bunnies in my front seat and keep turning it up until they die. I know it's terrible, but hey, if Audibahn can do it, so can I.

But seriously, DYohn is right, never purchase a brand based on what you hear about it, purchase it on what you hear from it, and if you go to one of the larger stores (circuit city/best buy) try to remain completely objective and base your opinions on what makes your internal organs move, but so they can still understand the words through all that flesh and bone, not what someone tells you, you should buy.

HAH!

Dead Bunnies bad! Ok got it! I like the Shiva 12" Sub that pimpincavy suggested. Nice Speaker, but he's right. It looks like an old school speaker. Not flashy or anything. The price is right too ($119-$125). Just the Ohms is a bit weird though (Dual 8 ohms). So DVC in parallel to get 4 ohms. But got to find a good amp to pump that bad boy.

Also, I was wanting to get away from a 12" sub and get a 10" to cut down on space, but that company does not have a Shinva in that size (but they have the Brahma10 which is really expensive...~$320-$340...but it sounds like a winner!!!).

Any 10" Sub recommendations that would be great for a ported (vented) box design that does not take up a ton of room and would run great @ 450 - 600W RMS?

Let me know guys!

I know you say to go test out subs at a Car Audio store or a place like Best Buy, but I would like to know what you guys find to be a good one to try out.

You guys have been very helpful!! THank you!

As long as you know that the parameters are accurate, the parameters can tell you something of what to expect if you know how to read them. An example, a large Vas driver will generally require a larger enclosure for a given alignment. A lower Fs will generally have a lower frequency extention for a given alignment. A speaker with a high Qts. (.6 and above) won't work well in a ported enclosure, and a low Qts. sub (.3 and below) shouldn't be used in a sealed or IB enclosure. Of course there are exceptions to the above.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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I don't know about the wattage requirement... but you shouldn't focus too much on that anyway. Good 10" drivers for small boxes I would look at - the Koda 10" by Adire. Arc Audio (forget the model) 10". Image Dynamics IDQ 10". I bought mine precisely because I was able to run it in a tiny box while retaining sound quality.

Having said that - if I were to buy my subwoofer again I would probably push for a 12" - all the drivers I mentioned roll off relatively early.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

joebobcletusjr wrote:

I will just put a couple of bunnies in my front seat and keep turning it up until they die.

But then that would only be 2 dB. You haven't even come close to breaking the noise floor. posted_image

Anyway, sorry for the kinda bad taste joke.

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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ArKineX wrote:

HAH!

Dead Bunnies bad! Ok got it! I like the Shiva 12" Sub that pimpincavy suggested. Nice Speaker, but he's right. It looks like an old school speaker. Not flashy or anything. The price is right too ($119-$125). Just the Ohms is a bit weird though (Dual 8 ohms). So DVC in parallel to get 4 ohms. But got to find a good amp to pump that bad boy.

Also, I was wanting to get away from a 12" sub and get a 10" to cut down on space, but that company does not have a Shinva in that size (but they have the Brahma10 which is really expensive...~$320-$340...but it sounds like a winner!!!).

Any 10" Sub recommendations that would be great for a ported (vented) box design that does not take up a ton of room and would run great @ 450 - 600W RMS?

Let me know guys!

I know you say to go test out subs at a Car Audio store or a place like Best Buy, but I would like to know what you guys find to be a good one to try out.

You guys have been very helpful!! THank you!

I do want to point out that you really can't go by our current speaker offerings as it will greatly change very soon. I will say the new offerings will include a 10" Shiva. posted_image

Steven Kephart

Adire Audio

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THanx Steven!

I can't wait for the 10" Shiva!

If it is as impressive as the 12" it will be the bomb!

Whn do you think the 10" Shiva will be available?

joebobcletusjr wrote:

I will just put a couple of bunnies in my front seat and keep turning it up until they die.

I am sorry about that joke as well, it was a little inappropriate; that and I could never get my hands on two bunnies - they are too fast for me, maybe one if I am lucky.

But anyway I have always been a fan of some Rockford Fosgate subs, just because they are rigid, have very high excursion, high power ratings, and some can be put in very small sealed enclosures (I definetely prefer the sound and depth (Bass-wise) of a port, but for SQ sealed may be a good idea to give the sub a good baffle to prevent clipping/distortion).

There is an insane amount of different brands out there and all are different quality, and depending on who you are, choosing the right sub could take a lot of time and mostly fun experimentation.

As I almost always close my posts, some may not agree that Rockford Fosgate is the way to go, it is all a matter of personal opinion.

I do from time to time give the small, new to the business, companies a try, but that is usually a gamble, although I have found some great subs this way by taking thses chances (still less of a gamble than buying anything car audio from Sony)

PS, I wouldn't hurt small animals, I have two cats, and wouldn't be able to do anything like that to them.

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eh? what did you just say?

Get the alpine. Audiobahn will not only kill the bunnies, but you'll find their eardrums melted from the horrible distortion they throw out. Who knows, they might get stabbed in the eye if one of those chrome flames flies off and manages to get there...

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"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.