Quick Amp question

Syn · Post by **Syn** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:44 pm

Hey guys quick question about which amp would best suit a 12" Alpine type-X. Since this sub has a 3000 watt peak I would like to run it around 1500 watts or so. I've looked at a couple (Crunch, Hifonics, Alpine). Would running the sub at 1200 or 1500 make any difference sound wise? Also I plan on putting the sub in a ported box with about 2^3 ft of air and tuned to about 32, is this a good box for the sub? thanks for any input guys.

swimmerdude · Post by **swimmerdude** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:03 pm

a few things.... why an Alpine Type X?? Just out of curiosity. I have not heard many good things out of the Type X. Its more of a sq woofer, but many other woofers can do better in the sq department than that. And I have read that people are much happier going with a Type R if they are looking for output over a complete sq install.

Next, do not look at peak ratings. They basically..... mean nothing. RMS ratings is what you want to look at. RMS on subwoofers is what it can continuously take. So whatever the RMS rating is on the sub, look for amps that put out that much power.

On the difference in power.... just an example here, double the power usually yields about 3db.... or about twice as loud. You are talking the difference between 300 watts. You will not be able to hear the difference between 300 watts.

For the box, i do not know what the sub calls for, but for any 12" sub, that seems a bit small.

neumann · Post by **neumann** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:16 pm

the type x is 1000 rms and for a ported enclosure alpine recomends 1.3 cuft tuned to 28 or 32

Syn · Post by **Syn** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:37 pm

swimmerdude wrote:a few things.... why an Alpine Type X?? Just out of curiosity. I have not heard many good things out of the Type X. Its more of a sq woofer, but many other woofers can do better in the sq department than that. And I have read that people are much happier going with a Type R if they are looking for output over a complete sq install.
Next, do not look at peak ratings. They basically..... mean nothing. RMS ratings is what you want to look at. RMS on subwoofers is what it can continuously take. So whatever the RMS rating is on the sub, look for amps that put out that much power.
On the difference in power.... just an example here, double the power usually yields about 3db.... or about twice as loud. You are talking the difference between 300 watts. You will not be able to hear the difference between 300 watts.
For the box, i do not know what the sub calls for, but for any 12" sub, that seems a bit small.

Only reason I said the type - x is because right now I'm running an older type r and I loved the quality of the bass and the loudness of it so I figured the x would be a step up. Plus it handles 1000 watts rms which is around the level I want.

Honestly though I wanted the answer you gave me. I never ventured too deep into the different brands of car audio other than what my buddies tell me about some brands. I've been researching the past week and have found some interesting items but still I have no clue about the brands.

But this leads me to my next question, I am looking to build a system that has a lot of spl but also sound quality as well. I was looking to stay below $1000 for both the sub and amp. Now what would u recommend to be some considerable options? Also if it helps any the system is going into a 06 tiburon which is hatchback.

Thanks for any replies.

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:56 pm

swimmerdude wrote: On the difference in power.... just an example here, double the power usually yields about 3db.... or about twice as loud.

10 dB is perceived as twice as loud. 3 dB is a noticable difference, though, not a major difference. And as you basically said, not usually worth it unless you are competing.

I had to clarify

swimmerdude · Post by **swimmerdude** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:05 pm

Syn wrote:Only reason I said the type - x is because right now I'm running an older type r and I loved the quality of the bass and the loudness of it so I figured the x would be a step up. Plus it handles 1000 watts rms which is around the level I want.
Honestly though I wanted the answer you gave me. I never ventured too deep into the different brands of car audio other than what my buddies tell me about some brands. I've been researching the past week and have found some interesting items but still I have no clue about the brands.
But this leads me to my next question, I am looking to build a system that has a lot of spl but also sound quality as well. I was looking to stay below $1000 for both the sub and amp. Now what would u recommend to be some considerable options? Also if it helps any the system is going into a 06 tiburon which is hatchback.
Thanks for any replies.

Well, I dont think you will get the output you are looking for with a Type-X. Sure it can take more power, but the Type-R can take more than its rated power. Most woofers can take more than their rated power, you just have to know what you are doing. It has be a clean signal(no distortion, even distortion you can not hear), and in an appropriate box.

If you have 1k for sub and amp, talk to bwcad1(Bill Wolf). I dont know if you have been going through threads on here, but he is custom making his own woofers. I just wrote a review on them, which should be up shortly(has to be approved by mods). Pricing on them is under $350 for 15" and smaller. They can take a TON of power, but really do not need it. I run around 2k to 2 of them(1k to each) and they get hella loud. Anyone who sits in my Jeep does not like the feeling they get from them after a few seconds, not to mention they think it hurts, lol. With only that spent, you have a lot left over of your 1k budget to spend on a quality amplifier, and maybe electrical upgrades.

And thanks William for your clarification.

Syn · Post by **Syn** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:05 pm

William from NOLA wrote:10 dB is perceived as twice as loud. 3 dB is a noticable difference, though, not a major difference. And as you basically said, not usually worth it unless you are competing.
I had to clarify

Okay so that question is answered.....a couple hundred watts really doesn't matter. So 1000 watts would be plenty loud? Sorry if I seem noobish on the loudness as I currently only have a 300 rms to my sub right now ;-(

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:10 pm

[quote="Syn"]Okay so that question is answered.....a couple hundred watts really doesn't matter. So 1000 watts would be plenty loud? Sorry if I seem noobish on the loudness as I currently only have a 300 rms to my sub right now ]
Due to the laws of physics, the amount of power is almost meaningless. You could have a 50 rms woofer with 50 rms just make a fool of a 1000 rms woofer with the same power.

I think going with less power is a better strategy overall. That way you won't have to do as much electrical upgrades to keep you afloat. But I do suppose it is worth it sometimes to spend that extra $2k and get those dB's hehe

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:11 pm

Also, you don't have to get a new amp say if you get a 400 or 450 RMS woofer. As long as you can still put down 300 RMS to it, you will do fine. You can build (or buy) a box that is a little bigger than the recommended specs and it will perform the same.

Syn · Post by **Syn** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:14 pm

swimmerdude wrote:Well, I dont think you will get the output you are looking for with a Type-X. Sure it can take more power, but the Type-R can take more than its rated power. Most woofers can take more than their rated power, you just have to know what you are doing. It has be a clean signal(no distortion, even distortion you can not hear), and in an appropriate box.
If you have 1k for sub and amp, talk to bwcad1(Bill Wolf). I dont know if you have been going through threads on here, but he is custom making his own woofers. I just wrote a review on them, which should be up shortly(has to be approved by mods). Pricing on them is under $350 for 15" and smaller. They can take a TON of power, but really do not need it. I run around 2k to 2 of them(1k to each) and they get hella loud. Anyone who sits in my Jeep does not like the feeling they get from them after a few seconds, not to mention they think it hurts, lol. With only that spent, you have a lot left over of your 1k budget to spend on a quality amplifier, and maybe electrical upgrades.
And thanks William for your clarification.

Thanks I'll have to check with him about those subs, from what you say about no one liking to sit in your jeep sounds awsome and also sounds like what I want. I appreciate your help sir