Hey,

Those playing at home might remember my subs died <linky> (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74869&highlight=) due to my ignorance and the audio shop running my 2x 10" subs way under powered.

To add to the mix, my head unit just died. After a few years of locking up requiring resets, it got very much worse over the last few weeks, to the point where it wouldn't turn on.

I went and bought an Alpine 103BT given it is a similar spec, and has integrated bluetooth which was something I was after. The Alpine winter catalogue with higher end models now with integrated bluetooth where also great value, but couldn't justify it +$200 extra for my basic needs.

The install went ok...ish. I was hoping for it to be a straight plug and play affair, but although the pinouts and plug between old and new head units were the same, the new head unit had slightly larger pins and the old plug did not have the clearance. Given the wire colours were the same between old and new cable assemblies, it was then just a job of de-soldering out the old plug, and soldering in the new where the installer had spliced into the original OEM wiring.

As part of this exercise I went to Jaycar as a while ago I was looking at the AA-0424 amp as an option to power some subs. Lucky for me, they had these going out for $150 (as opposed to $250 retail) to clear these to make way for the new models. So given the price, I grabbed one. I know there were probably better amp choices out there, but this was hard to pass up at the price. Also it seems to give some good versatility for various sub combinations.

So, what subs are recommended given I have this amp?

Specs:
Power / channel @ 4ohm 14.4V: 150WRMS x 2
• Power / channel @ 2ohm 14.4V: 255WRMS x 2
• Power / bridged @ 4ohm 14.4V: 500WRMS x 1

Music is more dance/trance, not after something that just drones and is somewhat punchy for general pop/alternative music too. The home would be a sealed ~40L enclosure, max mounting depth 16cm. Currently the enclosure has two cut outs where the old 10s used to live, but will replace this side of the enclosure as required. I'm impartial to a single 12" or 2x10"s. Budget would be about $350-$400.

Cheers

fusion 10"s

If you can find a Boston G5 They are quite nice and will take up to 1kwrms.

I would look at something like the Vibe Black Air MKII+ 12" DVC sub. Fits in that budget and I am very happy with its control and response. I listen to a lot of dance/pop and it does the job very well. Feel free to come and have a listen if you like, you know where I work. It's running off a 1000Wrms Response amp.

My personal preference only, but I like a better quality 12" than two lesser 10" subs.

I would look at something like the Vibe Black Air MKII+ 12" DVC sub. Fits in that budget and I am very happy with its control and response. I listen to a lot of dance/pop and it does the job very well. Feel free to come and have a listen if you like, you know where I work. It's running off a 1000Wrms Response amp.

My personal preference only, but I like a better quality 12" than two lesser 10" subs.

:yeahthat:

Vibe Black Air (http://www.shoppingsecure.com.au/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=56)

Available from our sponsor too!

Already had a look at shopping secure :) Only issue with this one is that it is 10mm too deep for the box, but a 12mm MDF spacer ring may do the trick

Hey mate, can you post up the dimensions of your enclosure?

And thanks for the plug guys. Pm me if you would like a price on one.

With your budget and amp and requirements it will do the job extremely well.

Inside dimensions are roughly 16cm deep x 76cm wide x 33cm high sealed.

The mounting depth is about 175mm, going from the outside of the MDF to the back of the enclosure (assuming this is where mounting depth is measured from). +5mm for the carpeted fascia as well, so may have 180mm to play with

Hmmm the box is almost perfect in a way, albiet it is very skinny.

Internally with those dimensions it is about 1.4cuft ( which is very close to the 40L ;) )

The sub has a mounting depth of 170mm so it will fit as it is. This is measured from the underside of the mounting gasket to the rear of the magnet.

Having a 12mm "spacer" is a good idea to get some clearance between the rear of the woofer and the wall. 18mm would be better but as it would give you almost 30mm which is acceptable.

Definitely take Poita up on his offer if you would like to audition it ( thanks for the offer ). Guaranteed you will enjoy it if you like a loudish musical woofer.

I looked at the Boston (which has been suggested and was my second choice), the Vibe and a few others (can't remember what they were now) but the Vibe from all the reviews was the most musical which is what I wanted. I don't like droooooooone.

Difficulty in SA is that very few stores even know what they are as most just stock pioneer, kenwood, sony or fusion and you can do better than all of those with that sort of budget.

I do still have a soft spot for the Boston G5, however, it is more of a competitor for the Vibe Space series as it is ( was ) much more expensive.

I did blow 2 of them as well lol so they are not built Charisma tough...

I've been busy with some other projects, so this got put on the back burner. With some freeish time now, I'm looking at this again.

It seems Vibe was very well respected, but the word on the street is that of late the quality has been lacking a bit. I'm also having trouble justifying a $400 price tag in Aus from various places, when the same sub goes for 99 GBP. In the UK it lines up against the Alpine S series in terms of price, and here it lines up against the R series? Given some doubt, I don't think I can pull the trigger on this one.

Anywho, I have also been recommended the Rainbow Hammer 12". From what I have read/heard it is very well regarded as an SQ sub with loudness too boot, so in the same vein as the BlackAir. Specifications here (http://195.243.203.21/rainbow/technical.aspx?pa=132&lan=ENG). Thoughts?

have never heard of the rainbow hammer, sounds like one of those those hippy peace boats. i have vibe gear in the tr and am going to have fli gear ( made by same people as vibe) and i swear by their quality. our sponcor does do discounts for AMC members i would send either joe or mr charisma a pm and just get a qoute.

I haven't heard about build quality issues except when people buy from ebay and end up with re-furbished models.

Yes the list price in the UK is 120GBP ( about $200 ). If you ask the Vibe Authorised stores, they do not ship outside of the UK. Get one off ebay and the postage will probably end up being 60-90 GBP or more on top of the 95-99 GBP selling price making it almost the same street price as an Australian one....

It is hard because due to different import laws and the company itself, prices for the same product will vary in different countries. One such example is a Dynamat Bulk Pack, RRP in Australia is $299, RRP in the US $310. Go figure. ;)

Rainbow make good gear, haven't seen any of those woofers in Oz yet, who would sell that?

What about 10 inch Subs from Ground Zero or Edge ??

I am pretty sure you could get Two 10 inchs from them in the $350-$400 Budget..