Well hi again.

Here's the thing right......need a bit of help picking out next sub.

Current system as it stands:
Pioneer P8950BT headunit
Soundstream Tarantula 6.5" splits up front (currently running 90wrms, soon to be 150ish wrms)
Soundstream Tarantula 5.25" 2 ways in the rear

1 clarion APX4360 4 channel (running fronts)
1 clarion APX2180 2 channel (rears)
1 sony xm-1s monoblock - 500wrms

Car has been sound deadened (2 dynamat bulk packs, 1 extreme door kit)
Runs 0 guage cable, stinger distribution block.

Current sub is a fusion 12" PPSW-12E 300wrms. It went extremely well in my old hatchback - however, just has not got the same amount and same punch it used to have. Box went from a 2cuft ported to 1.7cuft sealed, and now points into the cabin through ski-hole.

Compared to the speakers, which arnt running at full capacity, the sub is simply lacking.

So - any idea's as to what sub? or should I change back to a ported box (not hard for me....few hours of work and 15mins design work).

Added:
Budget - Circa $600
Criteria - ~ 500wrms, 12", SQ over SPL.
Music style - dance/trance/metal.

Any help appreciated :cool:

really depends on your budget and type of music you listen to
but a decent 12" sub in a sealed box will be just fine :)

budget?

Image Dynamics IDMAX or IDQ 15", DD 35 series, PG, Treo, Kicker solobaric, Earthquake magma, RE XXX, Brahma

Nuts - should have mentioned.

Mainly listen to dance music, however also have a keen liking for heavy metal. Hard, fast, pounding basslines.

Budget? Sub $600 would be nice......though if the sub is worth it will hold out a bit more. Current set up is starting to hit closer to $4K than not - so i think i've thrown the budget out the window lol

Only other criteria is 12" unfortunately - wanting to keep as much of the sound set up under the parcel tray so I have some sort of a boot lol

hmmm if you like fast type of music then a couple of 10" subs should do the trick
just go down to your local audio shop and they should be able to help you out

a good quality 12 in the right box wil be fine
i have a weakness for the soundstream subs
dunno why but i just love em
funny thing is i've only ever heard a cpl of SS subs
1 a 15 and the other a pair of 10's

Razor has some pretty decent subs for sale, Not sure if he sold them yet. He's being trying to sell them to me :P, with little hope.

55 sledge hammer

You say you want SQ over SPL, so that rules out a ported box.

For $600 you can buy a very nice sub. A few standouts to look at include the Boston G5, Image Dynamics IDQ, Treo SSi, OZ Audio Matrix, any of the Infinity range of subs, Focal Polyglass or DLS MAGNESIUM SERIES.

If you want to stretch your budget you can even look at great subs such as the Hertz Mille 10, Focal 27kx and DLS UR10.

Out of the subs I have listened to, its been the Focal KX and Hertz Mille that have impressed me the most.

Yes i'll get grilled for it, yes I bought two.

Kenwood KFC- W0311:

Rated power: 400W
Price: $97.00 from autobarn

i'm not bothered, if they last a year i'd have had good use from them

You say you want SQ over SPL, so that rules out a ported box.

For $600 you can buy a very nice sub. A few standouts to look at include the Boston G5, Image Dynamics IDQ, Treo SSi, OZ Audio Matrix, any of the Infinity range of subs, Focal Polyglass or DLS MAGNESIUM SERIES.

If you want to stretch your budget you can even look at great subs such as the Hertz Mille 10, Focal 27kx and DLS UR10.

Out of the subs I have listened to, its been the Focal KX and Hertz Mille that have impressed me the most.

Infinity subs have never impressed me.

Remember when choosing SQ over SPL, this means better sound reproduction but less actual soundwaves, and as we all know, bass is FELT as well SO, when choosing a lower powered/lower output 'SQ style' sub you're probably not going to be too excited by what it can do because half of the new crew always say "SQ" because they think the sub will sound like a big flapping bird, get repped an SQ style sub and arn't impressed with the performance because they want the thump not the crystal clear "I can't hear anything because bass is the least heard frequency" bass tones.

My advice is as always - Audition audition audition, tell us where you are and no doubt someone will know of a quality audio store you can go to and listen to some subs, maybe even demo in your ride in a prefab box.

I maybe looking a little out of the box here but perhaps a triplet of 8". Not because 'they will sound tighter compared to a 12' but a combined piston area of 24" (but still wont moove as much air as a 12) AND the fact they'll use a smaller box, and give mad bass. You could try some Digital Designs 8"ers. Just remember to factor in boot deadning because for $600 you can get some killer subs, hell for even $200 you could get a DD 512 which will probably kill your Fusion. My DD 1512 is only a $300, 500wrms sub but when turned up my rear-vision mirror tries to pry itself off it's stalk and my boot sounds like a transformer walking down the street, which means the half-****d mitsu company who glued the boot bracing to the skin instead of spot welding it are giving me an increasingly rattling boot.

I agree with brands pimped, IDMax, Treo, Focal, Boston, OZ, in that order. Perhaps even try some 10" JL's 10W3's if you can find them, small box needed so you'll keep your boot space but great bass. Also remember to read the specs and as always - a bigger magnet does NOT mean tighter bass, because it can be a big weak-**** magnet! Read your specs before auditioning any so you can compare what you like.

Oh and Yann, mmmm KFC, Yay for lower-grade subs, when you move on you always need a different box :/

I listen too heaps of metal and i a pair of Kicker CVR 10s, 2 might be out of the price range but man these things PUMP! how about 1 x Kicker CVR 12 or try and and find some 10s on special or 2nd hand?

Cheers guys - given me a few things to think about for sure :D

As for sealed over ported - hrm......the fusion actually worked a lot better, with more 'clear' bass in a ported box. The bass was razor sharp, and only overpowered the speakers because it was in a festiva with $200 worth of speakers.

I think it was Tim that said, if you find the sub you want (SQ) but want more of that sound, buy a second. Which is what I might have to do.

I dont have an issue with sound deadening - there's $300 worth of Dynamat in the boot...its nice and quiet :D

So is the rest of the car with another $300 worth of deadening.

I dont need to go deaf from the sub, just want a nicely balanced system - want to be able to feel the 'thump' but of a crystal clear bass note, that doesnt cover up the front speakers.

If need be, i'll slowly start saving, upgrade the monoblock while im at it - maybe 2 10's are the way to go - 2 more clarion's, and a new alternator lol

Some subs do sound better in ported boxes, yes. However, once you start looking at SQ subs, sealed becomes the real only option. Ported sounds like poo :P.

Excatly how SQ are we looking at here, because, if you ask me, subs like the Idmax, Oz Audio etc arnt really true SQ subs. They play music very nicely, but, still arnt SQ enough for me. DD, wouldnt even think about goin there, at all, period.

Not sure how SQ we are talking about......

I know my system sounds good - well, it did, until the alternator pulley snapped off lol

However just how good that is compared to other systems I have no idea, and have not tested any SQ subs before - so once I have the cash after recovering from this year, I will get out there and test some SQ subs - one thing i'de want to avoid is getting a $2000 sub/amp set up, and then be dissapointed with the speakers lol

Have just sold my Boston G5 in favour of an OZ Matrix 12.2. Its sitting in my lounge room until Monday when I could be bothered to put it in. Magnet is bloody huge!! Makes the Boston look like it went to Jenny Craig. :D

Will have to see how it sounds though, the audition one sounded really really good but will have to see how it goes when its run it. :D

Put it this way, my G/f has the same sub as yours. My SQ subs have always been able to play lower harder and faster than the cheap ones. Louder, maybe, put of course the better SQ subs need more power. The IDMAX dont wake up for anything under 1kwrms.

Thats the other thing I want - a sub that can play below 25Hz......

As for speed - the fusion never complained - 180bpm was fine for the sub :D

P.S Mr Charisma - nice choice of car - always like VW's, specially Bora's......

Thats the other thing I want - a sub that can play below 25Hz......
Can I ask why?? The human ear can't hear much below that frequency, besides alot of music doesn't even go that low.

Can I ask why?? The human ear can't hear much below that frequency, besides alot of music doesn't even go that low.
mmm this man speaks the truth... I find that 33hz is a nice frequency.

My sub starts destroying eardrums at around 45hz :)

Some of my music (Drum and Bass) hits some very low frequencies......

Would be good to atleast be able to hit some really low ferquenies - even if you cant hear them, you sure can feel them :P

Some of my music (Drum and Bass) hits some very low frequencies......

Would be good to atleast be able to hit some really low ferquenies - even if you cant hear them, you sure can feel them :P
Nah, it won't be of any benefit to you, whether or not you can feel it or not will be negligible considering you're going to feel everything above 25Hz anyway.

Some of my music (Drum and Bass) hits some very low frequencies......

Would be good to atleast be able to hit some really low ferquenies - even if you cant hear them, you sure can feel them :P
:bowrofl: K, so you are gonna be one of those people that go around annoying neighborhoods, setting off car alarms and pissing off dogs.

Good Stuff!! :doubt:
/sarcasm

This may well turn into an debate on what SQ really is. Playing low and fast dosnt make a sub SQ, mainly because its the box that determines 90% of how low something will play, and is pretty much the only determinant of how fast something is.

An SQ sub should be accurate and detailed, these are the traits that a sub dependent, not box dependent.

For this reason I dont really see the Idmax, Oz Matrix as a SQ sub per say, but rather a very good SQL sub. Most SQ heads actually but the IDQ above the IDmax in terms of SQ performance.

I think your probably after SQL more than SQ as such. Honestly but. Try to listen to a few subs, and see how they perform, and then go from that. At the end of the day, its only you that can choose what you like. :)

:bowrofl: K, so you are gonna be one of those people that go around annoying neighborhoods, setting off car alarms and pissing off dogs.

Good Stuff!! :doubt:
/sarcasm

No, dont play my music up loud in neighbourhoods thanks, dont want my car stolen, or attract police attention.

You dont a) know me and b) you've never pissed off anyone with your car? Let me guess, you have never broken the speed limit, never overtook a person, never cut someone off, never had your music up loud, and never revved your car.

Nah, it won't be of any benefit to you, whether or not you can feel it or not will be negligible considering you're going to feel everything above 25Hz anyway.

Fair enough - im guessing there is a cd out there to test how a sub performs at certain frequencies right?

I thought it was just my sub not being able to play really low notes (even some of my hardcore music the bass drops down very low during a breakdown.....the sub *tries* to create the sound.....but falls somewhat short).

idq 15's are very nice

No, dont play my music up loud in neighbourhoods thanks, dont want my car stolen, or attract police attention.

You dont a) know me and b) you've never pissed off anyone with your car? Let me guess, you have never broken the speed limit, never overtook a person, never cut someone off, never had your music up loud, and never revved your car.

sarcasm dude, no need to get a hernia

No, dont play my music up loud in neighbourhoods thanks, dont want my car stolen, or attract police attention.

You dont a) know me and b) you've never pissed off anyone with your car? Let me guess, you have never broken the speed limit, never overtook a person, never cut someone off, never had your music up loud, and never revved your car.
Did I say anything about myself annoying people, speed, etc?? NO

Whatever mate, just keep trying to get your subs to go under audible range :gtfo: :nuts:

Nothing better then blowing money on a sub that plays frequency's you'll never hear.

If you want SPL, just put in 4 x 15" subs and cut the crap. Your trying to get a sub that has the best of everything. Nothing has the best of everything.

Fair enough - im guessing there is a cd out there to test how a sub performs at certain frequencies right?

I thought it was just my sub not being able to play really low notes (even some of my hardcore music the bass drops down very low during a breakdown.....the sub *tries* to create the sound.....but falls somewhat short).
Yeah, it's a burp test CD... Runs from 1Hz and so on... Can't recall what it goes up to because I turn it off at 50Hz.

So without the anal people who want to categorize every friggin' thing under the sun.. Go and test some, see what they sound like to you, ask people what their experiences are with and how they personally rated them and WHY.

All you're gonna end up with here is some fool going "This sub isn't SQ, it's ABC, only subs over $4000 are SQ" or "Only subs that are red are SPL subs" etc etc etc.. Gets preeeeetty repetitive fast.

I don't give a flying dog **** what SPL, SQ, SQL, SPQ, SQPL, GTFU and STFU are, as long as it plays, I like it and my wallet can buy it, I'm happy. This is what you should be thinking, not buying something to please the purists (aka the self-fellating) because purists are just wankers with too much money, time and not enough homelife.

Now get out of here kid and go put your money where your fingers are.

Wow people are getting way angry lol. Dont get to caught up on a sub dude, I would "get anal" as Nick would put it on my components. As long as you get a semi-decent sub and put it in the right box with power it will sound nice and get loud.

Nick is right, get out and audition. Last time I did that was a comparo between ( all 12inch )a Ported Crossfire XT, Ported Vibe Space, Sealed Boston G5, Sealed Hertz HXS after having a Boston 12.5lf Pro. Was very very tempted by the Vibe but went with the G5 as it blended in with the front stage better and had a better sound than the older Pro. Just my opinion, my ears liked the Boston and to hell what other people think.

When the OZ is run in ill pass an opinion on that. :D Was impressed from the 10inch that I auditioned.