Ok, when I buy my '97 SE, I'm gonna get me a system!!

I've been looking around for subs, and I decided that I am going to put 2 10" JL Audio W-3 subs.

See them here: http://www.jlaudio.com/home/subwoofers/10w3.html

My question is...how do I know which amp to get? I don't know anything about how much power I need. I need two amps too...one for the subs, and one for the speakers.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

I would aim for an amp that will provide 500-600 watts total. That leaves you with many, many choices, especially considering how those subs come with a variety of voice coils, allowing you to achieve any ohm load that you would need in order to optimize the amp's output.

 

...the speakers?

Aren't their amps that are made especially for subs too?

 

You could get a Class D amp for the subs. Class Ds are more efficient and won't stress your charging system as much as Class A/Bs. What speakers are you gonna use up front?

 

I was planning on keeping the stock audio system as far as the receiver and speakers go, whether it be the Bose, or the other 120-watt system. I was just going to add the subs/amps to the system. I just figured that this would make it LOOK like I don't have an aftermarket stereo to a potential stereo thief!

So...for the 2 10" JL's...I'm going for a 500-600 amp?

 

Well, the speakers can't be seen anyway, so you should get some better ones. Adding an amp to stock speakers won't help much, either. The front stage is the most important, so don't worry about spending much, if anything, on the rears. Get some good speakers for the front and a 2x50-100watt amp to drive them. Run the rear fill with the HU. Go listen to different stuff and see what sounds good to you.

 

Ok...I decided on an amp that runs 50W x 2 and I picked some Kenwood speakers out that I like. The speakers in the '97 SE are 6 3/4" right?

The only question I have now is, I found an amp for the subs that is 600W x 1...is that good enough, or does it need to be 600W x 2.

Thanks for all your help!

 

Yeah, 600x1 will work. Tell me exactly which amp model it is, and I'll tell you which 10W3s you need to get and how to wire them for the correct load. Also, which amp did you decide on for the front stage?

 

Both amps are USAcoutics.

The one for the speakers is the USAcoustics USX2050 50W x 2 and the one for the subs in the USAcoustics USX600F 600W x 1.

Do you know the speaker size in the '97 Max? Crutchfield says all are 6 3/4".

 

Maybe I'd rather get 12" subs!

But, since I'm on a limited budget...I'd probably go with the W0 instead.

JL12W0: http://www.jlaudio.com/home/subwoofers/12w0.html

Would I still need the same power amp for the subs?

Thanks for all your help Micah95GLE...you are awesome!! I know absolutely nothing about stereo stuff!!

 

Stay away from those amps. I am returning mine right now because it did not perform what it was rated at. I had the 4065 the new one, and it was noisy, and also didn't crank very loud. I tooked up my 4045 Sony and its less wattage, but it blows the doors off that US ACOUSTIC crap. Get a nicer amp, not a US ACOUSTIC...

 

Those amps have really good specs for the money. You should be happy with them. That sub amp is too much for the 12W0s. I think that you'd probably get better performance from the 10W3s. But if money is a big issue, get a USX-2100 and a pair of 12W0-8s. That would be pretty decent for the money. Unless you intend to win SPL contests at sanctioned events, either of these setups will provide ample bass with good SQ. Look at my setup- I use only one 12 and the sub level controller is at about 40% (with still more than double the current output available) and I have tons of good bass.

 

Or how about this scenario: Get a single 12W3-D2 and a good 4-channel amp (MTX Thunder304, Crossfire TEK50.4, Phoenix Gold XS4600, Soundstream Rubicon 604, Xtant 404m). Power the front stage with the first channel pair and power the sub with the second channel pair bridged mono. Keep in mind the space and weight considerations: If you get two 12W0s, you will need a 3.0cu.ft. sealed enclosure for them (that's more than 3 times the size of my sub enclosure). That will take-up a lot of trunk space and will add a lot of weight to the car. And, like I said before, you can get tons of bass from a single 12 with 250-300 clean watts pushing it.

 

When you say a pair of 12W0-8s...what is the 8s?
I dunno why, but for some reason I really want to go for the 2 JL12W0s now.

 

The weight also really doesn't bother me because I don't really plan on racing the car at etown or anything like that. I'm basically going for a nice sound and good looks!!

 

Do you think you can give me an idea of what 2 JL12W0s will run me...and installation too?

 

I don't keep up with prices, so I don't know how cheap you can get them for. If you use the USX2100, you'll need the 12W0-8s to get the most power from the amp.

 

sig

 

Here's what i got...

Kenwood HU
Kenwood Speakers
--powered by USACoustics USX4065
2 10" JL Audio W0
--powered by USAcoustics USX2150

The USX2100 is only 100W x 2...the JL 12 W0s are 125W so I picked the USX2150 150W x 2 and a USX4065 65W x 4 for the speakers...so I am amping the back to for the back passengers.

 

I should say here's what I decided and plan on getting!! =)

 

The USX2100 will be plenty, because when you bridge it mono, it should make about 300 watts (maybe a little more). The subs will share that wattage.

 

Kenwood HU
Kenwood Speakers
--USAcoustics USX4065
2 12" JL W0
--USAcoustics USX2100

Is there a certain 12JLW0 I need to get? Like the 10W3 you said 8s or something??

 

Like I said before, you need two 12W0-8s.

 

I know absolutely nothing about stereo stuff...and you really helped me out.

Thanks so much!! You da man!!

 

12's aren't much more than 10's, so go for it. If you want a good multi channel amp, i have to recommend Xtant. You can find the 3300 on Ebay and that amp rocks. Its replacements are the 603x and 604x (both awesome), but they cost $999. My 2 cents.