Hi there, Looking at a single 10" shallow-mount sub for an install into an MR2. I've done a lot of price and review comparisons between a number of different models. Two have stuck out and caught my eye, both at a good price - ALPINE SWS-1043D KENWOOD KFC-XW1000F Any opinions on these subs? These are both cheaper where I am (I live in Japan), than any Rockford Fosgate, Kickers and so on. From what I have read, the RF's and Kicker CVT's leave a lot to be desired anyways. Memphis stuff looks good, but far too expensive here in Japan (no dealers here). What Orion subs I have found here have been the lower end of the Orion range, and also, quite overpriced. Alternatively, I have found a company that sells custom sub + enclosures to fit MR2's. They use your choice of either a Dayton 10" or a Tang Band 10". I have tried to find some info on these subs but haven't found anything... Are they extremely low-rent and worth staying well away from? And one last question - what is the difference between going for a SVC or a 2VC sub? How will this change what amp choice I will choose to power them? I'm looking at an AB amp (Audison SRX series or a Focal Solid 4/4.75) to run both my front 2 ways and a bridged rear channel feeding the sub. Preferably at 4 ohms.
I would go with a DVC sub... Will it change with what amp you'll get? the answer is no. If you buy a dual voice coil 4ohm sub then you can wire it into a 2ohm impedance. if you buy a DVC 2ohm sub then it can be wired in a 4ohm impedance. Out of your 2 choices i would go with the Alpine... Tang band and Dayton are not bad speakers at all. in fact i've heard a lot of good things about them. There is a site that sells them and they also have reviews on them http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=456 Both have very high ratings.
Ok, thanks for the advice - I'll go for a DVC sub. Thanks also for the link on the Tang Band and the Dayton - they do sound good. I was searching earlier and couldn't find a single thing about them Another sub I forgot to mention, was the Boston Acoustics G11044 10". They are the same price-wise as the Kenwood and the Alpine - are Boston Acoustics a quality brand? Its power range is rated at only 50w-200w RMS though, and I plan on running between 200w - 275w to that sub (likely from an Audison SRX4) - so I guess that would mean imminent sub destruction wouldn't it? FYI: The Alpine has a power range of between 50 - 300w RMS (150w per voice coil) and the Kenwood (an SVC sub) is 50 - 250w RMS. Would that make both these also nearing blowing if having the Audison bridged at 275w to power it?
I really like the Audison SRX3 and it gives: •3Ch 75Wx2(4 Ω) + 270Wx 1 (4 Ω) •3Ch 65Wx2 (4 Ω) + 380Wx 1 (2 Ω) •3Ch 110Wx 2 (2 Ω) + 250Wx 1 (4 Ω) •3Ch 95Wx2 (2 Ω) + 350W x1 (2 Ω) If you'll get the alpine, you should be good. slightly overpowering the sub won't do anything. Just set the gain to give the sub the appropriate power it needs. I even know i guy with a sundown 1500 watt amp powering 2 12" kicker comp subs. gain is pretty much at zero but non the less, he's still running it and hasn't fried his subs. As far as the Boston Acoustics G11044 10". I'm sure it's a really good sub more for SQ too. Boston makes solid products. Personally i've never listened to Boston but I've always heard good things about them.
Wow thanks for all this info. You have no idea how much of a help this is to my searching 3 more subs I thought I'd add to the shortlist to hear opinions of - -Rockford Fosgate P3SD210 or P3SD410: rated at 100-300w RMS like the Alpine. Almost identical pricing. I had 2 x 10" RF Punch's in my system about 10 yrs ago and liked them. I have no absolutely no idea as to quality of RF's products these days though! Are they in the same ballpark as to quality (comparing with the Alpine)? - Kicker CVT10: I have heard good things, and bad things about these s/mounts from Kicker. However, they do seem to sell like crazy though which must mean something. Are these a step down in quality to the Alpine and/or RF's?
I just found the Image Dynamics ID10D4 V3 (10") for sale here, as well as the ID8D2 V3 (8"). That's all I could find in an 8" or 10" within my price range. The 10" is around 19,000 yen here, so a little more expensive than the Alpine/B.Acoustic/RF. Are those models decent? Looking at the pictures, they don't look like a shallow-mount design? Write-up on Woofersetc
I wouldn't invest in either the Kicker or the RF's. the kicker shallow mounts don't sound good at all. I've heard one and i wasn't impressed. the RF subs usually have problems with the spider wires and tend to screw up easily.
Ok, looks like that leaves the Alpine or the Tangband/Dayton plus enclosure setup. This is a link to guys in the US who sell custom-made ready to order 10" sealed sub-boxes for the MR2. They have approx 0.71 cubic feet of space, and a mounting depth of 5.5". Only $29.99... Would that be cheaper than going to a stereo shop and asking them to fabricate and fit a custom box for a sub I bring to them? The same website has the Dayton plus enclosure set up for $183. This the write-up on the Dayton model they use, the Dayton RSS265HO-4 Reference HO 10". It says it draws 600w RMS of power... I'm hoping the 275w I can give it from the Audison is enough? What are the pros/cons of getting the shop that does the install to make the box for the sub, as opposed to buying elsewhere? Do many shops hate customers arriving having bought a lot of their own gear and who mostly just want an install? Do they often try and make money/overcharge them on other things (such as labor etc) to get their pound of flesh?
Have you ever tried installing yourself? it's actually not hard at all. You could save a lot of money that way. Shops usually don't like it if you bring your own gear to have it installed to be honest. As far as the sub goes, what i would really suggest is listen to the choices you have. See what suits you best for your application. I have never heard the tang band or dayton subs, i've only heard good things about them especially for the money. As far as that box goes, it looks to be ok, 3/4 MDF, it's a small box so just make sure that the sub you want to get is within the specs and stuff the box with polyfill before you install the sub in the box so the sub will think the box is bigger. If you get that box, i really suggest you do the install yourself. Ps: Where are you originally from?
If I was buying cheap gear, and didn't care too much about the car I'd give it a go trying to install myself. Unfortunately what I know about watts and voltage you could write on the head of a pin with a crayon. I do want to learn, but maybe not with this car Looks like I will have to buy a sub and box here - likely from whichever shop I go to. Shipping on the custom box and sub is $180! That's as much as the sub and box themselves. Plus, to better ingratiate myself with whichever shop I go to, and hopefully get an install where they put effort into, I might ask them to reccomend and fit/build a sub + enclosure, as well as sell me a head unit and install evrything else. I'll supply the audison and the focals. I expect to pay a little more for retail prices at the shop, but if it's ony marginal then that's ok. Also I'm at the mercy of Japanese being a second language - so maybe it's a good idea if they work with equipment and brands they are familiar with when doing the install.
I've found the equivalent of Sonicelectronix but in Japan. Dirt-priced equipment, all imported gear - and VERY cheap! They have this for sale for under $200... Rockford Fosgate P3L-S10 enclosed subwoofer. Specs in English HERE I'm thinking this may fit the bill!
ive heard that one in best buy, it wasnt half bad. how much is a yen to us dollars? im lost when you post prices.
Usually about roughly $1 USD = 100 JP Yen. 1000 = $10 10,000 = $100 100,000 = $1000 So 20,000 for the RF enclosed sub and box = $200! Seems VERY cheap comparing it to Sonicelectronix, Millionbuy etc etc!
