Printer Friendly Forum Posts - 12" Sub suggestions?

I'm looking to upgrade from an Alpine SWE-1242 to something a little nicer (and louder!).
I would like to keep my Pioneer GM-7100M amp (RMS= 250x1 @ 4ohm, 360x1 @ 2ohm). Unless I find a great sub that meets all the other criteria, then I may consider upgrading my amp too.
I'd also like to keep my 1.57 ft^3 sealed box (could port it if sub allows).
And I'd like to spend $150 or less on the 12" sub.
I'm open to all suggestions.

I'm sorry to say that replacing just the subwoofer here will not meet your expectations for both significantly better sound quality and spl.

That Alpine is already relatively efficient.

My advice:

If you want to keep that amplifier: get an efficient 15" driver and port it. Build a new box.

If you don't want to keep that amplifier - then your options are only limited by electrical system and budget. I'm personally not a believer in high-wattage high-spl sub-bass systems.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Well really, I'm just wanting to experiment with different kinds/brands of subs.

Also, a new amp wouldn't be much of a big deal. I think the max I want to go is 450-500rms though. Just because I don't want my little truck to blow up.

What are your guys' thoughts on Infinity Kappa Perfects?

I hear they are excellent. Nice high sensitivity. Would work well with your current amplifier.

Go for it.

That sensitivity is really high. Does anyone know if that number is accurate?

Edit: the quoted 96db efficiency is "in car."

So, does anyone know offhand what the "real" reference efficiency of these drivers is?

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Go to Adire Audio at https://www.adireaudio.com/ and click on the Mobile link then choose Shiva from the sidebar. It should be a good surprise. Recommended airspace is about 1.5 cu. ft. and running at 360 watts @ 2 Ohms should be just right.

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Peace

I was thinking about a Shiva. But how is their SPL?

I believe they are made for a budget SPL sub. But right now aren't they only available in DVC 8omh? So eigther a 4 or 16ohm setup. Unless you wait for their new lineup. Then they are making DVC 2, 4 and 8ohm.

BTW I was looking for places online that you can still buy the old Adire lineup while they make their revisions and found these:

https://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/by_brand.shtml
https://www.speedsound.com/caraudio.asp?pg=products&grp=21
https://lethalaudio.com/?page=shop/browse&category_id...

kfr01] wrote:

hear they are excellent. Nice high sensitivity. Would work well with your current amplifier.

That sensitivity is really high. Does anyone know if that number is accurate?

Edit: the quoted 96db efficiency is "in car."

So, does anyone know offhand what the "real" reference efficiency of these drivers is?

"Real" anechoic efficiency is more on the order of 86db @ 1W/1m. Still a nice sounding fairly efficient driver. I use a Perfect 12d @ 8-ohms sealed with approx. 150 watts input and it sounds great to me.

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ravenndude wrote:

IBTW I was looking for places online that you can still buy the old Adire lineup while they make their revisions and found these:

I believe all Adire subwoofers are sold out right now, everywhere. There may be a few random ones still in inventories somewhere, but the three dealers you list are sold out. The new Adire lineup should be on the street later this year.

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I personally dont have the perfect's but i have heard them and they are a nice clean sounding speaker. i run the alpine typer SWR-1241D's. i am happy with them. i was going to upgrade recently and decided against it. i would consider a new amp . i think that a Pheonix Gold Xenon would drive that real nice. i am not a fan of pioneer amps. i have found in my experience that a good quality amp drives a lesser quality speaker better than a lesser quality amp driving a awesome sub. other sub considerations would be Kicker CVR '05 , Phoenix Gold 12" Xenon , Perfects already mentioned , the new '05 Mtx line is not bad either. These were all in my choices when i was planning to upgrade. how this helps.....

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Eclipse 5435
US Amps Merlin MD2 x 2
US Amps Merlin MD42
Kicker Solo X 18"
MB Quart QSD216 x 2

hey man if you are looking to upgrade your system go to www.volfenhagaudio.com and check out thier amps, subs, speakers, head units, equalizers, and crossovers. this is bad ass equiptment.

you are joking about the volfenhag stuff, right?

that stuff is all about flash and show, not performance. The only german concept, might be the name.

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What's wrong with Pioneer amps?

boardinbum:

Kappa Perfects are amazing woofers. I replaced a pair with a JL 13W6 and have serious regrets. From personal experience, I can assure you, 1.5 ft3 is a little big for a Perfect... smaller and sealed is the way to go with those subs. With a 250x1 you might be okay with a larger box though...
If you really want to keep your box though, I'd keep looking.

volfenhag MORE LIKE VOLFENCRAP.....perhaps it may be good stuff......BUT I DOUBT IT

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Eclipse 5435
US Amps Merlin MD2 x 2
US Amps Merlin MD42
Kicker Solo X 18"
MB Quart QSD216 x 2

nothign wrong with Pioneer amps. i just personally dont like them. i think there are many more choices before them. Their headunits i think are the best. I will only run Pioneer (premier) HU. just for me that is....

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Eclipse 5435
US Amps Merlin MD2 x 2
US Amps Merlin MD42
Kicker Solo X 18"
MB Quart QSD216 x 2

What are your guys' thoughts on a Alpine Type R vs. a Shiva? Both 12"s.

Also, what is the best kind of box for the Shivas?

boardinbum, there's more information on Shivas on this forum than probably anything else...type "s-h-i-v-a" (no, not that way)...like this shiva in the search and you will have plenty to read.

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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 3 SWR-1241D's well now i have 4 of them. and i am very happy with them . they are a very clean sounding sub. They new '05 subs are out and have a little better specs. I know that they Type R's arent the best sub but for the money you cant go wrong for a good all around SQ sub.

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Eclipse 5435
US Amps Merlin MD2 x 2
US Amps Merlin MD42
Kicker Solo X 18"
MB Quart QSD216 x 2

I put my vote towards the shiva. They are a great all around low(er) power sq and spl sub- depends of enclosure.

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I need quality equipment, feel free to donate.

Maxst, if I already have a 1.57 ft^3 sealed box, would it be better to leave it that way, or port it if I go for a Shiva?
Also, what kind of power should I give it in the 1.5 sealed/ported enclosures?

Within the last day there was a post by Adire employees on this. Search.

I installed a Shiva in a 1.25ft^3 box and thought it sounded very nice. I think the Shiva in such a box is a fantastic value for the money. My friend's amplifier is 150w. The Shiva is relatively efficient, and his 150w pushed it beyond our regular listening levels. Again, the Shiva is a great value daily driver sub, just don't expect to have an SPL system with a single sealed Shiva. :-)

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Well if you were to put a shiva up against a Type R, both with reccomended power/size box (sealed), which would come on top for SPL? SQ?
I really wish I could just go listen to both side by side, but my guess is there may be 10 other people in this town that have even heard of Adire Audio.

I have, unfortunately, not heard the Type R.

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New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Link to Type R.
I would be going with last year's model though. It's 300wrms.

There
It's that one.

My vote is cast towards the type R. They are loud loud loud loud and still have really good SQ for the money. I don't think you can catch their SPL with a shiva, price tag reflecting of course...

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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.