Comparing Mainstream Companies to SMD Partner Brands Products Performance First Hand Experiences

[Thegrip6589]

Hey everyone I have been coming to SMD for a long time to do research and have finally broke down and created an account to both contribute and hopefully get a better understanding on things when needed. As my topic title suggests I am interested in hearing from some other members with their experiences switching from the big name mainstream companies subs to using the more audio enthusiast/underground names products advertised here. I understand the forum rules on not allowing which is louder posts and I do not want this topic to be just that simple.

I have installed numerous subwoofer systems in my personal vehicle as well as close friends vehicles over the years. Out of these systems or systems I have heard in person for that matter not a single one of them have had any subs installed from brands other than JL, Kicker, Rockford, Pioneer, Dual, Alpine, or Memphis.

I am looking into upgrading my current system and want to hear from others that have been in my position themselves so that I can better gauge if investing the money into these partner brands will make a huge difference. The differences I am looking to achieve doing this is: Better power and thermal efficiencies, better sounding and smoother frequency responses, A more durable speaker, excursion capabilities (move more air in general), and finally getting louder!

I understand there are a ton of variables that affects the above in the individuals particular application (the vehicle itself, the source signal, the power being provided from the electrical system as well as the amp, wires, and arguably the most importantly the box the speakers in)

Assuming that all of the variables are constant across both installs and everything is a perfect scenario (not realistic) would these Partner brands excel in every way? I want to justify spending the money and hearing it for myself but that's just not realistic as my current system works. Like many others I want my system louder, cleaner sounding, more durable, all while not causing serious risks of damage from daily use at higher power. I hope this post falls within the rules and if it doesn't feel free to remove it. I am looking forward to hearing from others that have taken the leap and what you achieved by doing so.

My current system:

2011 Chevy Cruze LS

Big 3 Upgrade (140amp Alt)

XS Power D3400 Secondary Battery (Isolated)

Knukonceptz Kolossus Flex 0/1 Gauge OFC Wire (Battery & Amp)

Knukonceptz Kolossus Flex 8 Gauge OFC Speaker Wire

Audiocontrol Epicenter Bass Processor

Alpine MRX-M240 Amplifier (CEA Compliant Benched @ 2652watts rms on 2ohm load

2x Alpine SWR-12D4 12" Subwoofers Wired to 4ohm load (Aprox 750 watts rms per sub)

Prefabricated box: Attrend Bbox E12DV (Alpine Recommended)

Factory Radio

The box and type r subs are what I'm looking to upgrade, everything else is being left as is. I do plan on buying 2 12" dual 2 ohm subs this time to maximize my amp output but I just want to feel confident moving forward that changing to a different brand will be the night and day difference it seems everyone makes it out to be. I look forward to everyone's insight. Thanks in advance!

[islandpride684]

what others might like, you might not...only way to find out is to take the leap and try it...

[Slobalt7]

Try it, 6 months later you will be building a wall. Lol

[Miguels]

if you been coming to SMD for a long time then you should know the answer

welcome to the forums

[Miguels]

im not going to say brands. that would make it a vs thread.. just know that you get more for your money going with the gear you always see posted on here

[Broke_Audio_Addict]

im not going to say brands. that would make it a vs thread.. just know that you get more for your money going with the gear you always see posted on here

Except for soundfonics apparently.

Also

[RainStryke]

Upgrade that factory radio. You will notice changes instantly. Right now there are tons of great choices...

From what I have learned, the box is just as important as the subwoofer, having a good enclosure is the most important when you are trying to get really loud. I recommend researching that first. Atrend makes some okay enclosures... but a good custom box can change how loud your sub is by quite a bit. I learned that really fast when I had a pair of Kicker CompR 12's in prefabricated kicker box in my car that were not as loud as a single Kicker CompR 12 in a custom box. Also... while Atrend has "recommended" enclosures... I noticed a lot of their ported boxes are tuned around the 40Hz range, which isn't exactly a good range for Type R's.

Here is a good starting point if you really want a somewhat decent box for 2 12" subs that require no work on your end:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-CU-FT-CUSTOM-VENTED-DUAL-12-MDF-CAR-SUBWOOFER-BOX-ENCLOSURE-TUNED-32Hz-/360485928462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53eea2be0e&vxp=mtr

Just keep in mind... something like a SoundQubed HDS312 might not fit that box due to the wide basket... So you might need to modify a pre-built box with a jig saw our router before fitting a "over sized" sub like that into a box like that. I'd recommend investing a bit into basic woodworking tools if you really want something solid and worth winning competitions with.

Also, another thing that helps is sound deadening and closing up air leaks if you have a trunk application. My car had two vents near the wheel wells and a ton of air was escaping there... I removed the vents and covered it with sound deadening material and the change was ridiculous.

[notorious97200]

Did you really write that your alpine amps can deliver" 2652watts rms on 2ohm load" ?

I can't believe it !

I understand your question, but there is no real answer to it.

Just read a lot on the subject here : try the manufacturer's subforums, take a look at the build logs and their comments,...etc

You'll find your answers.

I would start with a much better box for your subs.

[kirill007]

Did you really write that your alpine amps can deliver" 2652watts rms on 2ohm load" ?

I can't believe it !

I understand your question, but there is no real answer to it.

Just read a lot on the subject here : try the manufacturer's subforums, take a look at the build logs and their comments,...etc

You'll find your answers.

I would start with a much better box for your subs.

Why don't you believe it?

[notorious97200]

Did you really write that your alpine amps can deliver" 2652watts rms on 2ohm load" ?

I can't believe it !

I understand your question, but there is no real answer to it.

Just read a lot on the subject here : try the manufacturer's subforums, take a look at the build logs and their comments,...etc

You'll find your answers.

I would start with a much better box for your subs.

Why don't you believe it?

I did not know Alpine had a new big amp : in the past they had an MR-something (around 2000 w @ 2 Ohms), but I thought they were only going to keep the pdx line, with a 1200 w amp. Now this is a new one (they say PDX inside).

I learn something new everyday, and I like that

OP is looking for 2 DVC2 12" subs.

Your current subs are not bad at all. Be sure you have a good enough enclosure for them : it's VERY important. An enclosure will drastically change the sound and output of your sub(s).