Opinions… 2 18’s, 3? 4 15’s? Brand given space?

[UnderLoK]

Hi all (Rob here), I’m pretty new to the forums (wuzzzzahhhh!!!) and to be completely honest my car audio knowledge is beyond dated (the gear in my classic caddy I’ve had since 99 for the most part – 3 12W6s, MMATS amps, JL components, Alpine deck, etc). I’ve got the bug back and now I’m going to do a build, but wanted to tap into the knowledge here before I start buying stuff. I am a little long winded so please hang in there.

I have a 07 TBSS lease that I’m going to buy out. I want a complete system (amps, deck, subs, components, alt, batts, etc) so I wanted to get some input from you guys on which way to go as far as subs go. Ideally I would like to have the ability to run daily with the ability to drop down the ohms when the need arises. I don’t plan on spending $10,000 or anything like that, but I do want to do it big (I would go B I G rather than big but I was laid off a couple months ago).

I’m honestly blown away by the knowledge shared on these forums and just hope that you guys (and gals) can point me in the right direction because I feel like a fish out of water these days and clueless about what is good and what isn’t these days. Please don’t think of this line of questioning as a waste of time because I’m honestly looking for real help here. I don’t want to waste my money nor do I want to buy “shit”. Without your help I would be forced to revert back to my previous knowledge and aim at brands that I know deep down aren’t what they used to be.

The cargo area (run down below) in the TBSS should allow 2-3 18’s (3 is doable but complicated) or 4 15’s. Comfortably would be 2 18’s or 4 15’s firing vertical with a rear port. While more is usually better I’m thinking that 2 18’s will be plenty for the little TBSS. With the space below (both options allow for 7 inches on either side for batteries) and considering the vehicle; what brand subs, size, and configuration would you pick?

These figures are just the max cubes if I was to put a rectangular box in with 1" wood (no displacement or anything). Again I don’t really remember how to work out the specs for a box, but I think I’m on the right track.

1)With no rear view obstruction and no changes to the back seats (they continue to lean) along with 7 inches clearance on either side for batteries (with room for up to 12+ batts total or 6 with some side cargo space still available):

33 D x 40 W (wheel well to wheel well with batt room) x 21 H = 12.95 cubes

2)With slight rear obstruction and an angle change to the back seats (they would be vertical and no longer lean) along with 7 inches clearance on either side for batteries (with room for up to 12+ batts total or 6 with some side cargo space still available):

37 D x 40 W (wheel well to wheel well with batt room) x 21 H = 14.62 cubes

3)With significant rear obstruction and an angle change to the back seats (they would be vertical and no longer lean) along with 7 inches clearance on either side for batteries (with room for up to 12+ batts total or 6 with some side cargo space still available):

37 D x 40 W (wheel well to wheel well with batt room) x 24 H = 16.93 cubes

Going with options 2 or 3 opens the doors as far as 18’s go as to where option 1 limits me a bit as I need subs that require smaller cubes (Soundstream, SMD, etc). On the one hand I spend more money on higher end subs, but I still have room for the amps in the cargo area or I save some money on subs and have to murder my back seat (not out of the question) by cutting out some foam and building a tray for the seat to sit on so the amps can go under the seat (unless I was to get Soundstream towers which I could put above the batts in the cargo area or reduce the H to 18 inches and put an amp rack below the box).

My local AA dealer reads these forums so I don’t want to say what my sub budget is, but just pretend there isn’t a limit (within reason please, let’s just say SMD/SoundStream and under)!

Thanks!

Edited April 14, 2010 by UnderLoK

[Slappin F150]

Lol HUGE post. Pm'd you back.

[CNF Kevosinn]

for subs I would check out the auidoque hdc3. The sub handles insane amounts of power,hits hard and still has a great sound quality. Did I mention the price? 310 bucks for an 18. I have personally used Fi bl, Fi btl, and the hdc3 blows the bl apart and sounds just as good if not better than the btl for over 100 bucks less (also before any options on the btl)

[CNF Kevosinn]

for the amps check out sundown audio, If you dont want to spend quite that much I am currenty using the audioque 3500.1 and I love it!! also check out the cresendo audio 3kw amp, you get 3300 rms for 550 bucks and its based off a killer board

[Destram]

Four DC Level 4XL 15s would do you right. That's what I'm building right now. As far as amps, if you're up to spending the money, I'd sugges. Sundown. If I had the money, that's what I'd be buying right now.

But you mentioned SMDs...if you have that kind of money, 4 of those 15s would be even sexier, but make sure you have the power to move them. Sundown 3500 or 4500 per sub should be perfect.

[CNF Kevosinn]

If you can afford the smd's that would work great for you because they take less air space, that is something to consider

[kirill007]

for subs I would check out the auidoque hdc3. The sub handles insane amounts of power,hits hard and still has a great sound quality. Did I mention the price? 310 bucks for an 18. I have personally used Fi bl, Fi btl, and the hdc3 blows the bl apart and sounds just as good if not better than the btl for over 100 bucks less (also before any options on the btl)

LOLZ.

No, really LMFAO.

Jist kidding, ROFL.

For real now, the HDC3 isn't a sub that sounds almost as good as the BTL.

The HDC is a good sub, but doesn't really has good SQ.(but it will not sound like shit)

[CNF Kevosinn]

LOLZ.

No, really LMFAO.

Jist kidding, ROFL.

For real now, the HDC3 isn't a sub that sounds almost as good as the BTL.

The HDC is a good sub, but doesn't really has good SQ.(but it will not sound like shit)

nn

Edited April 15, 2010 by kevosinn

[UnderLoK]

Thanks for the responses guys it got the wheels turning.

After going over it 500 times I'm going to go with 2 18 SMDs and 2 XXX 4000 Soundstream amps. The math just works out the best (cubes/cargo space/price/watts) and makes me the most comfortable.

The more and more I thought about it, tossing 4 15's in my 07 with 18k miles on it didn't sit too well. I don't want to blow the thing apart (yet)!

Now I just have to work out interiors, 4 channel(s), wire, batts, and alt(s).

[CNF Kevosinn]

Thanks for the responses guys it got the wheels turning.

After going over it 500 times I'm going to go with 2 18 SMDs and 2 XXX 4000 Soundstream amps. The math just works out the best (cubes/cargo space/price/watts) and makes me the most comfortable.

The more and more I thought about it, tossing 4 15's in my 07 with 18k miles on it didn't sit too well. I don't want to blow the thing apart (yet)!

Now I just have to work out interiors, 4 channel(s), wire, batts, and alt(s).

damn!!!! thats going to shock you when you get it all together and play it for the first time. that is if you have really havent heard any modern technology since 99! please do a build log