Review: Arc 1500-XXK mated to a SS RL-p 15
11-10-2005, 09:40 AM
#1
Review: Arc 1500-XXK mated to a SS RL-p 15
So I finally got to fully test the sub/amp combo yesterday with various cds and music genres.
The setup is a SS RL-p 15 in a 2.0 net sealed box. The sub is getting ~800 watts by an Arc Audio 1500-XXK, bridged at 2 ohms. Crossovers are set to 80 Hz. The bass is complimented by a pair of Boston SL 65s, powered by Fosgate 451s amp (soon to be replaced by an Arc 2100-XXK). They're getting roughly 80 watts a piece, and high passed at 80 hz. As for rear fill, I only have a set of "decent" Alpines powered off the head unit.
I will be comparing this to my last setup of a 12" Brahma in a 2.5 ported box, tuned to 28 Hz. It was getting ~480 watts from the Fosgate amp. First cd I popped in was Paul Mauriat's best hits. I know some may ask why play classical music? IMO classical music can really test the strength and weakness of a system. It'll show anywhere that's lacking in terms of response of the system. Anyhow, the song "Parlez-Moi D'Amour" was very warm. The sub was very smooth, and response was nice and quick. The Brahma was accurate as well, but tended to be a little peaky near the upper bass range. Next song played was "Minuetto." I literally sat there grinning like an idiot throughout the song. The Bostons dished out all the notes of the piano without trouble, and the RL-p reproduced the kickdrum with quickness and authority. So far I'm quite pleased with the sub/amp combo!
Next I moved on to more "rough" genres to see how well the amp and sub take extra demand. Linkin Park's "Numb" was awesome. I had the volume up fairly loud, and the amp did not get hot as all. The Fosgate on the other hand was quite warm after the song finished playing. I guess this a nice comparison between Arc and RF eh?
Next I played various tracks from the Eagles and GreenDay. Again, the sub never lacked in output, response, and clarity. Now I had to put in my Trance cds. 
The rolling bass lines are thunderous, but still very well behaved...it wasn't muddy at all. Then I popped in my test cd with various tones and sweeps. In cabin response got VERY loud around 51 Hz, and I can feel the sub all the way down to 20 Hz or so. I also tested with other bands/music, but it's almost time for class...so I'll have to end it here. 
So what do I think? Kickass amp and pretty damn good sub. SQ is pretty nice, and can still pound out the bass when I feel like shaking my car. The amp is very nice and classy looking, and the sub is awesome for being under $300.
Pros:
-Smooth and accurate bass response
-Great output
-Amp can take what you can give it and wont quit on you.
-Amp's appearance is just so damn classy!
Cons:
-Cone can get dirty easily
-The aluminum cone CAN be dimpled if something touches it when its really gets moving.
-The amp seems like it can be scratched easily. When I was tightening the spade connectors, the shaft of my screw driver nudged the side, and left a tiny mark. It's not noticble unless I point it out though.
The setup is a SS RL-p 15 in a 2.0 net sealed box. The sub is getting ~800 watts by an Arc Audio 1500-XXK, bridged at 2 ohms. Crossovers are set to 80 Hz. The bass is complimented by a pair of Boston SL 65s, powered by Fosgate 451s amp (soon to be replaced by an Arc 2100-XXK). They're getting roughly 80 watts a piece, and high passed at 80 hz. As for rear fill, I only have a set of "decent" Alpines powered off the head unit.
I will be comparing this to my last setup of a 12" Brahma in a 2.5 ported box, tuned to 28 Hz. It was getting ~480 watts from the Fosgate amp. First cd I popped in was Paul Mauriat's best hits. I know some may ask why play classical music? IMO classical music can really test the strength and weakness of a system. It'll show anywhere that's lacking in terms of response of the system. Anyhow, the song "Parlez-Moi D'Amour" was very warm. The sub was very smooth, and response was nice and quick. The Brahma was accurate as well, but tended to be a little peaky near the upper bass range. Next song played was "Minuetto." I literally sat there grinning like an idiot throughout the song. The Bostons dished out all the notes of the piano without trouble, and the RL-p reproduced the kickdrum with quickness and authority. So far I'm quite pleased with the sub/amp combo!
Next I moved on to more "rough" genres to see how well the amp and sub take extra demand. Linkin Park's "Numb" was awesome. I had the volume up fairly loud, and the amp did not get hot as all. The Fosgate on the other hand was quite warm after the song finished playing. I guess this a nice comparison between Arc and RF eh?
Next I played various tracks from the Eagles and GreenDay. Again, the sub never lacked in output, response, and clarity. Now I had to put in my Trance cds. The rolling bass lines are thunderous, but still very well behaved...it wasn't muddy at all. Then I popped in my test cd with various tones and sweeps. In cabin response got VERY loud around 51 Hz, and I can feel the sub all the way down to 20 Hz or so. I also tested with other bands/music, but it's almost time for class...so I'll have to end it here. So what do I think? Kickass amp and pretty damn good sub. SQ is pretty nice, and can still pound out the bass when I feel like shaking my car. The amp is very nice and classy looking, and the sub is awesome for being under $300.
Pros:
-Smooth and accurate bass response
-Great output
-Amp can take what you can give it and wont quit on you.
-Amp's appearance is just so damn classy!
Cons:
-Cone can get dirty easily
-The aluminum cone CAN be dimpled if something touches it when its really gets moving.
-The amp seems like it can be scratched easily. When I was tightening the spade connectors, the shaft of my screw driver nudged the side, and left a tiny mark. It's not noticble unless I point it out though.
11-10-2005, 03:50 PM
#6
yeah, i need a new HU soon, the freaking bass made my HU's LCD flicker. 
i'm pretty sure the sub is getting 800 watts. the amp is putting out 40 volts AC, and after messing around with ohms law stuff, i get 800 watts.
i'm pretty sure the sub is getting 800 watts. the amp is putting out 40 volts AC, and after messing around with ohms law stuff, i get 800 watts.
11-13-2005, 06:45 AM
#7
not bad, when you gonna get a chance to meter it? Im looking to go with a single woofer setup whereas in the last car the whole damn thing was woofers. and looking at a 2 cube net REALLY is prettu dang good. just wondering approximate output is all :evilgrin:
11-13-2005, 08:36 AM
#8
last time i metered 137 dB on the termlab with a 300 watt viper amp i borrowed from my friend at a car audio meet. so right now with almost 3 times the power....
i gotta get it re-metered soon.
i gotta get it re-metered soon.
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