1st/new system, need help

[thumpinRide]

i recently began looking into sound sytems. Im really thinking about the Rockford Fosgate stuff. im not planning on competeing, but i do want a very good, loud, hard hitting system, but if its good enough(system), i might give it a shot(competing) Since im not competing(maybe), obviously i don't want it too loud (defening). So what do yall think about 2 punch dvc 15's with the 800a2, or 3 punch dvc 10's(in 1 box) with the 800a2. or should i be looking at the 1100a2. also for the components, i like the fanatic Q 6.5, but i prob will get the x6.5 because of the cost, or are the q's really that much better & worth the money. Finally, my last question; do i need another amp for the components, use the same 1 with the subs, or hook em' up to the head unit. Oh yeah, any ideas on the head unit? i was thinking bout the RF's. Is there more equipment that i might need, or u recomend? Thank you very much in advance!!

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[doughboy]

Okay im going to get into a few details here so just reply to a part if you dont understand and I well explain it. here we go
for the subs both are good choices IMO if you dont plan on competing go with the 2 15's although they well need more power than the 800a2 "them dvc are some beffy bastards" Now the 10's well give you the cone area advantage "more cone = more spl" but it well be more complect to build the box and wire them. But dont rule out all the other brand of subs, just look around. Okay for components I heard nothing but good things about the Fanatics Q's but I hear the MB quarts are good also. Okay the big option is here. HEAD UNIT! if you plan on competing dont go cheap on the head unit. If you wanna compete get a Fosgate head Unit since thy use 4v+ Pre-outs. You want 2 or more Pre-outs at least. And if you got cash you would maybe wanna get a head unit with a aux. input for a vch,tv or something.

Now onto the background of the system. If you go with the 800a2 amp or higher get no less than 4awg wire from battery to amp. Then 10awg or 12awg wire from amp to speakers. Also you well need a fuse at no more than 1 ft from your battery one the power wire for your amp. okay what am I missing. need some RCA cable blah blah. Okay I know im leaving some stuff out but I cant think right now : )

-dough

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Doughboy
doughboy@ezl.com
ICQ: 5440944

[thumpinRide]

The 3 10's have more spl, but would they play as low as the 15's? or hit as hard? what would sound better overall. I think I might go with the 1100a2 despite the woofers, but that wouldn't be bad for the 10's, right? im not planning on building the box cause i saw the 3 10's box in crutchfield. I was wondering how long this system or any system usually lasts?
I was just checking out the MTX site and saw the thunder 7000's subs, how do they compare to the RF's.

Thanx a bunch for the help!!


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[Juiceman]

alright here is what i think....first off i left a reply to this message in "Sub and Enclosures"..so read that....second the tens will hit as hard and should hit as low as the fifteens...you definately want another amp for mids and highs when you are pushing that much bass...you wont hear any treble if you dont....get a nice beefy 4 channel amp....like a said before with amps bigger is better....so read my post in "subs and enclosures" and see what you think..

oh ya...you may not want that free box with the tens from Crutchfield if you are looking for good loud bass...no doubt it is a good box but it is just a general box...it is just suitable and that is it....build your own box or at least have Dukk da Port Pimp design you one and have a good woodworker build it for you...MDF aint all that expesnive and you will be pleased with the results.....anyone disagree?..let me know...

[This message has been edited by Juiceman (edited 06-23-99).]

[uncle ber]

I like the set-up. The 15s will need the 1100a2, the 800a2 is big, but the 15s need TMI to make them really glow http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif. The 3-10 box idea is cool, because not many local guys will go with that system, therefore it looks different = good = cool. You could probably put the 1100a2 on the 3-10 box, but the 800a2 may suffice.

As for components, go with a 4-channel beasty as said above. If you're going with components that can take 75 watts or more, then I'd look into the RF 600a4 and 800a4, but you might also want to look into MTX's "little" 4-channel portable monster at 37.5x4 (if you believe that's the actual power output, then I've got some great swamp-land in Florida for you to build a sky-skaper on!)

As for subs, the RFs are nice, but as aforementioned, there a TON of good/great subs out there. Take a test listen with your favorite CD and whatever makes you go: me gots to have that one, you buy http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif. As SS would say, if you find 2 and they both sound great, go with the cheaper ones and if they cost the same, then go with the one's that look the coolest to you!!

I've not heard the Fanatic series components yet, I know I live in a void.....*sigh*. But, other brands worth looking into: Infinity Kappa (anyone else see that one coming?); Boston Accoustics; Orion XTR&NT2; PG Zero-Point; Eclipse; Alpine; SS Exact; the list goes on and on. Apply the same test to these as you do on the subs.

Head decks, I agree with what's stated above. Go with at least 2 RCA outs if not 3 (one dedicated for your subs) and 4 Volt. If you can get one with 8 Volt, balanced line output, that would be even better http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif.

Oh well, time for me to get to work, gots to write today http://www.termpro.com/ubb/frown.gif.

ub

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"Captain Budget"
Never tick off a klingon!

[doughboy]

Just a word aobut competing. If you do "this may not matter to you" and prefer to go to Db Drag events, then most are done by # of subs. 3 10's would put you into the 4 sub class and some guy with 4 15's would probably smash you : P But if you get 2 15's you well be in the 2 sub class and you could be the smasher : ) BTW what car is this all going into?

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Doughboy
doughboy@ezl.com
ICQ: 5440944

[uncle ber]

Good point Doughboy!! Walk quietly and carry a big-ass stick!!!!! So said Teddy, go in with no music, save the battery juice, and burp on 2 15s http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif That should make some noise to rattle the other 2 woofer dudes, especially, if like db said/implied, they be smaller than thou!!

Hrm....there's a though: 2 18s, 2 24s, 2 32" Thunderdomes http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif.......drool. The endless possibilities, but where will we find the gigawatt of power needed to make 2 32" subs pound? Anyone got THE Delorian? http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif

l8rz

ub

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"Captain Budget"
Never tick off a klingon!

[Warbleed]

Never really been a fan of RF woofers. They certainly go get loud though. I don't really like their sound. I despise their image. If you want a trio of 10s, you could always go with 10w6s, they never seem to dissapoint. I've never heard the fosgate components. I love the boston pro components. Little bit more expensive, however! The kappas are good. I can't wait for the new kappa perfect component set.

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[Dukk]

Um, I have a comment.....
A pair of 15s will smooooooooke 3 10s, hands down everytime. Like not even close.....

Plus, I love how guys ponder if the 800a2 is 'big enough' http://www.termpro.com/ubb/smile.gif Man, it puts out a THOUSAND watts into 4 ohm mono. I would have to guess that that's enough http://www.termpro.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I would look at a 500a2 for the woofs and a 250a2 for the fronts. This way you only spend around the same amount and in the future you can get another 500a2 and go 2 mono to each 15.

Plus, your electrical system will thank you for getting the two 'smaller' amps.

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And that's the bottom line, cuz:
LORD DUKK SAYS SO!

The Big Show
The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!!
Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!

[johnwayne_401]

I have to agree with Dukk... I have an punch 800A2 and the factory sheet says "1022 watts all channels driven 2 ohn stereo"... Anyone out there feel that this might not be enough for a guy who says he might not compete??? Run it at 2 ohn mono and well, you do the math... VERY nice amp for a 2-3 sub system with lots of flexability, just imagine buying another and running 1 15" off each at two ohm mono...

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[thumpinRide]

how do u figure how many watts would the 800a2 pump out into 3 woofers? same with the 1100a2?
the 800a2 says @ 2ohms 400W x 2, and the 800a4 says 100W x 4 OR (the part im intrested in) 400 x 2, and its $100 cheaper. WHY?!?!??? is this somthin i would want for the woofers?
also for the components, im confused! if i get a whole set, lets say the fanatic q, and i follow the dukk's advice and go with the 250a2, which "thing" do i look at;
"y"Watts x 2 or "x" Watts x 1; i guess im askin' with a whole component set how many input type things am i hooking up?
P.S.
THANX for ALL the help!!!!

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[This message has been edited by thumpinRide (edited 06-25-99).]

[tech man]

<font color="blue"><cite>If considering fanatic Q's and a 250a2
your interested in power at 4 ohm stereo.
Was that your question?
A whole component set has just left x-over
and right x-over inputs.
</cite></font>
<a href="http://www.feist.com/~mopar/" Target=new><p align="center">http://www.feist.com/~mopar/musclecar.gif
<font color="red" size=5><blink>Tech's Car</blink></font></p></a><p align="center"><font color="red" size=5>Install Upgrade Pics</font> (http://www.feist.com/~mopar/moparb.html)<p align="center"><font color="red" size=3>Building my doors and kicks</font> (http://www.feist.com/~mopar/moparc.html)<p align="center"><font color="red" size=3>My drivetrain upgrades</font> (http://www.feist.com/~mopar/mopard.html)
'Where there's a will there's a wall'
'Would you like a little SQ with your SPL?'

[thumpinRide]

that helps, but in a spec of an amp it sayz "X"watts x "Z"(# o' speakers hookin up) what number is "Z" for the whole component system? sorry if u ansered this already, but i don't know what what "x overs" are.
-thank you

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[This message has been edited by thumpinRide (edited 06-25-99).]

[johnwayne_401]

Ok, here is the low-down on amp power and impedence... The factory rating is # of channels at 4 ohm... Simple enough, right??? Yes, but now comes the tricky part if you reduce the impedence by half you increase the "theoretical" output of the amp by a factor of 2... What this means is, for example the 800a2 delivers 800wattsx1 at 4 ohm, "theoreticly" at a 2 ohm load it will deliver 1600watts... I have mine at a 2 ohm load and have tested over 1400watts with a DMM... Did I also mention that I was NOT pushing it AT ALL!!! Gains at 55-65% bass boost at 50%... This is of course not always true because of amp design, protection circuits, etc... This also does not mean you should try to get a 0.5 ohm load to your amp or it will turn into a one time smoke machine...

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[rockford man]

Dude, word of advice. DO NOT GET THE 7000 SERIES OR ANY THOUSAND SERIES. THEY ARE NOT THAT GOOD. My buddy had two 12in. 5000 in his Z-24 and didn't even have half the power running to them, and they blew out. Stick with rockford.


Don't turn your back on the wolfpac, or you might get bit.

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[Dukk]

Well three 8 ohm loads sits just under a 3 ohm load for the amp - so bank on around 20% more than the birth sheet, ie in the 1100-1250 range for the 800a2. A 500a2 will deliver around 750 at this same load. An 1100a2 will be over the 1600 mark, way too much for 3 10s.
The 250a2 will put out around 75 watts x 2 at 4 ohms - which is what a component set will present the amp with for a load.


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And that's the bottom line, cuz:
LORD DUKK SAYS SO!

The Big Show
The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!!
Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!

[thumpinRide]

around what would u expect my SPL to be with the 2 15's and 1 800a2 imagining i had a good, ported box & good wiring & Fanatic Q's with the 500a2 & blah, Blah, blah?
what about with the 1100a2?
oh, its a grand cherokee (jeep)
p.s.
THANX FOR ALL THE HELP EVERYONE!

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[JBSmooth]

First of all, all you guys that say three tens have more cone area and will be louder are wrong. The actuall cone area of a ten is 78.5 and the cone area of a fifteen is 176.625. So 3 tens is 235.5 and 2 fifteens is 353.25. Plus 15's usually handle more power and usually have a larger X-max than 10's.

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