What subs am i better off going for?

[Dannyt]

Just got new Kenwood 1800w amp, that has rms of 900w. I had a 12" fusion package that gave quality bass, but wasn't quite loud enough.

Am i better running one high rated sub, or 2 lower rated ones. I was looking at Pioneer subs, an they do a 1000w 12", or for bout same price i can get 2 x 400w 12" subs.

Will they produce different types of bass? Will one be louder/better quality?

Ideally i would prefer quality, as opposed to really loud distortion.

Amp is the Kenwood KAC-9152D (got mine off ebay new)

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product.asp?product=21132

Any advice appreciated.

[Luke]

Ever thought of a Vibe unit? I have a CBR-10 Active Sub and these are very punchy.

[Dannyt]

Tbh im a bit narrow minded with ice companies. ive always stuck to "brand" names. Alpine headunits, kenwood, fusion, JVC or pioneer have all been in my installs. They're just a safer bet.

I'll have a look at some of the vibe subs, ive heard of them, but dont know anyone who has them. Always worth a look!

[Luke]

VIBE is really good mate, I got one and don't regret it at all.

Really good units when set up right.

[Dannyt]

Just had a look an for price of a 350w vibe i can get 2 x pioneer 400w subs, an ive heard the pioneer an its pretty quality. Off to local car hi-fi shop tomoz to have a look, so ill see what they've got.

do u know if its better havin 2 400w subs, or one 800w sub?

[YM03]

try the RE range of subs or jl audio, might pay a bit more but so much better than whats been stated imo

[DaveWard]

Common brand names make car audio fine but theres lesser known brands that make nothing but car audio so they are specilists in it!


Remember Kenwood make food blenders!

There is also a lot more to volume then power! The size and type of the box plays a huge role! As well as other aspects!

[Dannyt]

yeah, my fusion amp was only 300w, but it did some big installs to shame. but seeing as i have a powerful amp, i have to go fairly high wattage to get anything out of it.
the place im going to is a dealer for jl, so ill have a look at that stuff.

again though, my main question is one higher powered 12", or two lower powered 12"s? nobody has answered this yet!!!!

[YM03]

1 good quality sub will always out perform two lesser ones, as long as it's ran from a good amp imo

[DaveWard]

I agree with that also one sub is normally easier to power then two.

[Dannyt]

Cheers, i think one sub would be easier, and leave me some boot space.

Ta much

[Dannyt]

Some of the subs ive been looking at say they can be wired 2 ohm or 8 ohm. And my amp give highest wattage at 2 or 1 ohm. I know its referring to the resistance, but does running at 2 ohm for higher wattage mean crapper quality? Or does it just mean that the amp will perform better with a lower resistance?

Sorry bout all questions, but my previous installs have been package deals where i don't have to worry bout ohms and watts.

[DaveWard]

The lower the ohm rating the more power the amp will produce. But this is at the cost of quaility. But that does not really matter with subs. Also the lower the ohm rating the more power the amp will consume as its working harder and it will get hotter so make sure theres plenty of venterlation (sp?) for the amp.