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Sub crazy or am I crazy? Help out a first timer who just loves music!

Discussion in 'General Car Audio Discussions' started by Sound, Mar 9, 2010.

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  1. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    Okay, I just finished the first part of my build (listed at the end of this post) and it's time for some subs. Originally I was planning to put in an Alpine pdx 1.1000 amp pushing a single 12" Alpine SWX-1243D, but now I'm thinking I want more. So, what if on top of all that I got an alpine pdx 1.600 and used it to push twin 10" Alpine SWS-1023D's? Which leads me into my next three questions...

    Am I crazy?
    Would I have to upgrade my electrical if I did this? (if so, what kind of upgrade?)
    Also, is amazon a reliable place to buy subs and amps from or will I get ripped off?

    Anything you can say will be a great help, as yet again, I'm lost.

    (Right now I'm running a Pioneer Premier DEH 510UB Headunit, Alpine SPX-17PRO comps in the front and Alpine SPR-69C by nines' in the back powered by an alpine pdx 4.100 amp in a 2004 Honda Civic Coupe)
     
    Sound, Mar 9, 2010
    #1
  2. fstrfvo

    fstrfvo Full Member

    Well you have type X comps so you must be going for sound quality. In my opinion I would get 2 12 inch type x subs (if they fit) or 2 type x ten inchers and just run it off the 1.1000 amp. It should be plenty of power for those subs. The pdx amps are very efficient so I dont thhink you will need any electrical upgrades, at least hook everything up first before you spend any $$ on upgrades.

    As for Amazon I have never had any problem with them, I did buy a woofer from them once (used) and it had a crack in the cone, It did not say that in the description, i sent it back and they refunded my credit card without any problems. Of course other people may have had problems, i can only tell you what I know.
     
    fstrfvo, Mar 10, 2010
    #2
  3. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    Now that I think about it (not that I wasn't before, but now I'm rethinking it... again... for the hundredth time :p ) I like the idea of the two 12" type x's again. But should I run them off of one pdx 1.1000 amp or should I get two pdx 1.1000's to run them?
    Would having two pdx 1.1000's on top of the pdx 4.100 in my car already be enough that I should expect to have to do some electrical work?
     
    Sound, Mar 10, 2010
    #3
  4. fstrfvo

    fstrfvo Full Member

    I think just one amp would be fine, 1000 watts in real life is plenty of power for everyday driving, you can always buy another later if you want more power. You might need to do some upgrades with 2 of those amps, Hondas are not known for their robust electrical systems.
     
    fstrfvo, Mar 10, 2010
    #4
  5. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    Cool, then I guess I'll be getting 2 12" type x's and a pdx 1.1000 to push them. I'm not going to be doing any damage to the amp or the subs by running them like this, will I? (1.1000 pushing 2 subs that are rated 1000 RMS, there's no risk of blowing out anything by using only half of their rating?)
    Also, any good sites where I can read up on alternators? Every site I've found seems to disagree with each other over everything, and I still haven't found a place to buy an alternator online...
     
    Sound, Mar 10, 2010
    #5
  6. Lazy Eye

    Lazy Eye Full Member

    Well you shouldn't have any problems electrically.. I was running over 2500rms with only 4 gauge and an all stock electrical.. But it was also in a Dodge Durnago..
    but you shouldn't have to worry about blowing anything as long as you properly adjust all the gains, and don't crank the bass boost.. which can cause a clipped signal which will fry a sub
     
    Lazy Eye, Mar 10, 2010
    #6
  7. jonnyv713

    jonnyv713 The Young Gun of CAT

    I wouldnt worry about any electrical upgrades except the "Big 3" if you do that in 4 guage, you will be fine. The only thing i can say about running less than RMS power is that you may crank the gain and cause a clipped signal or add bass boost. so just be careful and set ure gains right. Use common sense man. That system will sound hella good. Not everything is in the subs and amps though. make sure u do a good box too. You could go larger than say 4 cubic foot and make a more efficient box.

    If I were you and if you can fit it, I would do the 2 12's in about 5ft^3 tuned to 30-35Hz. that would wang hard and sound dang good.
     
    jonnyv713, Mar 10, 2010
    #7
  8. fstrfvo

    fstrfvo Full Member

    Dang jonny, hes not driving a boat like you, hes got a Civic, I dont thinnk he can fit that big of a box in that car LOL. No you will not cause any damage to anything by giving the subs only half of their max power. Just because something says 1000 watts max does not mean it needs that wattage to work or sound good. As for alternators hook everything up and try it out first, you might not even need anything, like the others said use good wiring and a good box. I agree with Jonny about that its gonna sound really nice.
     
    fstrfvo, Mar 10, 2010
    #8
  9. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    you could always just do 1 12 in a 4th order. those type of boxes are efficient and 1k to 1 12 in that type of box can and will surprise you.
     
    pedro quiroga, Mar 10, 2010
    #9
  10. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    Hmmm, maybe if I put it on the roof and aimed it down through my sun roof... muwhahaha....
    Yeah, I've got about enough room for two 1-1.5 cubic foot boxes, and that's if I custom fiberglass them myself and make sure they get into every little nook and cranny. :p Also, as I'm making the boxes myself, I'm really not so comfortable at trying to make a ported box. I think I'm going to play it safe and stay with sealed designs.

    Just an idea, what if I got two pdx 1.600's instead of the single 1.1000, that way each sub will see 600, and I'll have three quite awesome looking amps mounted in the back?
     
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2010
    Sound, Mar 10, 2010
    #10
  11. jonnyv713

    jonnyv713 The Young Gun of CAT

    Wow. I've never even seen a trunk in a Civic haha. I agree with Pedro though. A single 12" Type-X off 1000RMS in a 4th order would be loud and clean.

    For the tree amp think... More amps = less room for box! haha

    I would go with either ported or 1 in a 4th order. Don't be afraid of building, it isnt hard at all. We can and will help you with the design if thats what you're worried about.

    SHE'S NOT A BOAT! lol
     
    jonnyv713, Mar 10, 2010
    #11
  12. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    The trunk is actually a decent size, but I have to able to fit my amp (not amp like you're thinking, amp like "I plug into my piano keyboard into it and bring it with me to gigs" amp) in my trunk as well, which leaves me with the largest single area in my trunk about 1-1.5 cubic feet (but I have two such spots, one right behind each tail light). Isn't a 1 foot box kinda small for anything other then sealed? Also, I've never seen (though I haven't looked for) a ported, fully fiberglassed box...?
    As for more amps, the PDX's are all REALLY REALLY small and tuck in nicely at the back of the trunk leaving just enough space for cargo. Not that I would, but I bet I could jam at least 10 PDX amps in the back and still have room, they're just that tiny.
     
    Sound, Mar 10, 2010
    #12
  13. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    i bet you can do a nice IB set up and retain 95% of your trunk and still be able to have your bass.

    i heard one once and i got a boner!
     
    pedro quiroga, Mar 10, 2010
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  14. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    "IB"? :huh:
     
    Sound, Mar 10, 2010
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  15. jonnyv713

    jonnyv713 The Young Gun of CAT

    jonnyv713, Mar 10, 2010
    #15
  16. jonnyv713

    jonnyv713 The Young Gun of CAT

    jonnyv713, Mar 10, 2010
    #16
  17. pedro quiroga

    pedro quiroga Well-Known Member

    i was thinking in the rear deck. so he can use the floor space in the trunk, as a trunk and not harm the subs.
     
    pedro quiroga, Mar 10, 2010
    #17
  18. jonnyv713

    jonnyv713 The Young Gun of CAT

    jonnyv713, Mar 10, 2010
    #18
  19. Sound

    Sound Full Member

    Oh man, those things are pretty! I'd leave my girlfriend and ask one of those 18's out for a night on the town if I could. Alas, whatever civic that was, it either isn't mine (different tail lights, but it could be an '03 I guess) or had some HEAVY mods, cause my rear deck barely holds two 6x9's in it right now, with the 6's being the short way, no way in heck I could get anything larger then 8in's in the rear deck without just remaking a whole new rear deck and moving the rear seats up. I'd be better off selling the Civie, buying a Shaggin Wagon and having ear orgys with my new girlfriend-I mean, the IB318.
     
    Sound, Mar 10, 2010
    #19
  20. fstrfvo

    fstrfvo Full Member

    So can you fit a box with 2 12s in it without any problems?
     
    fstrfvo, Mar 11, 2010
    #20
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