Ok, so I want to upgrade my system.. I currently have 2 memphis 12's (http://www.woofersetc.com/p5650/15PR...-Subwoofer.htm) in a ported box with a Phoenix Gold 1100 watt amp.

I am trying to decide if I should just replace them with 2 more 12" subs (http://www.woofersetc.com/p8461/MCP1...-Subwoofer.htm)

or...

1 15" (sub http://www.woofersetc.com/p8420/15C3...-Subwoofer.htm)

As you can tell, Im a fan of Memphis products. When I had my Explorer, I had the 2 12's in there but they sounded 'louder' than they do in the Maxima. I used to have a basic memphis 15" but I blew 3 of them in 2 months from 'playing them too loud"? Any advice would be great because I dont know if a 15 will even fit.

And BTW this is the box Im considering http://www.woofersetc.com/p7421/SQP1...gh-SPL-Box.htm

 

I guess your goal is to get louder? If that's the case it would probably be more efficient to go with two 12s.

What ever box you use needs to be built to specs. Prefabs are garbage. That box doesn't even state the tuning frequency.

You blew 3 subs in 2 months. You need to learn how to set your gain properly and never use bass boost or you'll keep blowing subs.

 

I want to be louder but my problem is my 2 12's are not giving me the same bass 'feel' as my explorer did so Im looking more for something much deeper.

When it comes to boxes Im pretty lost and I usually pick up what the audio shop uses anyway.

I dont use bass boost because that leads to distortion within the factory speakers anyway. The audio shop told me I cant play the 15 and the same volume level as the 12s because the 15 is "larger and slower".

 

The reason your subs sounded louder in the explorer is easily explained, in your explorer the there nothing blocking the bass from being released. Now the maxima you have the seat and trunk holding back the bass. You see the truck was open the maxima to an extent is sealed. You cannot compare the two

 

I figured thats why they didnt sound as loud in the Maxima I just wasnt 100% sure. So in the overall picture of things, which one would be louder? Currently I have the subs facing the cabin, so if I turned them to face the back of the trunk would that make a difference?

I have the Elite package so by turning them towards the cabin, I only get to use the pulldown door between the rear seats to open it up as compared to folding the seats down.

 

Face them back, do the 12's, don't go back to that stupid *** shop.

 

Thats what its looking like Im going to do. My amp can handle two more powerful subs but I was thinking one really powerful 15 would be better than 2 moderate 12s.

I def said goodbye to that shop because I felt like whenever I got work done there I had to keep coming back because something wouldnt be right.

 

To be honest i would just move up in quality, i do not know Memphis products. I have a Diamond D3 10" and it is way louder then other peoples because i have it at the 500 watt rms.http://www.diamondaudio.com/content/view/133/147/

So personally i would look at the high quality/more competition series that they offer from Memphis as i will be willing to wager that you will like the sound a lot more and maybe just upgrading your current 12". So if you stick with memphis i would pick these in the 12". http://www.memphiscaraudio.com/produ...ss-subwoofers/

 

Ive actually heard of Diamond being a premium brand before so I am going to look there as well. Im most likely going to end up replacing the 12" because I dont think the box for a 15" can fit in there.

 

no offense but i wouldnt consider diamond audio high end. brands i consider high end are fi, obsidian, incriminator audio, ssa, digital designs, sundown. most, if not all of those brands make all custom hand made subs.

 

You also need to give them time to break in before you really pump them(about a month). I personally would never get anything larger than 10's. They have a faster response time because of less surface area so they are much clearer especially for fast paced music.

 

y not 3 10"s , imo a 15" will be dirty, and a properly sized box will be a world of difference

 

do both

 

I agree, i see diamond as a nice middle brand, but sounds good and does a good job for the price.

 

So is Diamond better or worse than Memphis? Im open to many options but Im trying to keep the price to max out around $250. If I keep the 12s I can sell my old ones and not buy a new box. If I buy the 15 I will need a box and sub.

 

The problem with that logic is the possibility that your current box is a contributing factor to poor audio output/quality.

I'd say a trip to an audio shop that works with competition setups could assess the box.

also MATCHING the box to whatever subs AND amp will yield a much better sound than just buying "better" subs (read as matching your system properly).


It's much like performance mods, doing one mod may only yield a couple HP, but those in conjunction with the correct others make a world of difference.

To summarize, I'd say take the car to a SKILLED shop, show them what you have, and ask for some demo's of what they have to offer that would work well with your car/amp/box(maybe)/BUDGET.

Good luck,

 

PS:

I'd also recommend checking your voltage/amperage, since you switched vehicles, with a true 1100 watt amp (I'm making a gross assumption as MANY amps are overstated) you may need to upgrade your wire/alt/add a capacitor.

 

^agreed x2

 

Theres an audio shop in the town I go to school in and I heard from a guy at my job that this shop has been around for about 20 years and always does quality work. Im going to go over there and see what they say.
At this point I think I just cant get used to the bass I had in the Explorer versus the Maximas trunk. I would like a deeper sound you feel from 15s versus the sound you hear from 12s... if that makes sense..
And is that also the reason I feel like the bass is MUCH louder from outside versus inside?

 

I will say that a QUALITY 15" DVC sub properly set up with an amp pushing 1100 watts(probably closer to 400-550 RMS if its a class D memphis) and a properly tuned box will be MORE than enough for that car.

From my experience, you will hit lower lows with the 15, but you will also lose some of the tightness of other bass notes that a 12 or moreso a 10 would offer. My preference in my audiophile days was 15's but these days a quality pair of 10's or single 12 fits my lifestyle and musical preferences far better.

Hope this info helps, as a side note I always was a fan of JL Audio 15W6's

Good luck,
-DC

 

Maybe check out Audioque

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ChpwI6ADes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GafzR9IobKM

 

After looking back at your post,
Providing your amp is 1 Ohm stable (if you dont understand this terminology, PLEASE seek professional help for install!)

I'd recommend This sub:

http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-08S15L5...400560&sr=1-18

If your amp is two ohm stable I'd say go with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-Solo-Ba...400560&sr=1-20

Both of these recommendations assume a quality amp, I noticed i misread that you had a Memphis 1100D (I actually used to install/Build systems around this amp)

I have no direct experience with that particular amp, so if you could post a link to specs my reply would be even more detailed.

Make sure you have solid Ground points, and are running a minimum 4 gage (two gage would be better) for power and ground

A 1 Farad capacitor would help during extended bass demo's and during inaudible bass notes that you can "feel". If you sell your current subs and spend 100-150~ having a box built for your car?sub/amp you will stay within your budget and have a system to be proud of. No promises you will hear your Highs and mids without an amp though


Hope this post helps, Please note these are my opinions from sales/install experience from years ago.

Good luck,
-DC

 

I would say use 2 really really good 10" sub in a ported box it will be a PIA but if you can face the ports to be inside the car the sound quality will be amazing... if you just "lock" them in the trunk you will lose all the sound quality, this is why open concept cars such as fastbacks or SUVs or vans will always have better sounds acoustics because you are in the same space as where the sub is...

 

Don't get a cap...spend the money on something else.

a single 15, ported and fed good clean power will get pretty loud. when I had my 15 in the car, it would get loud enough to bounce the roof.

but all things equal, two 12s will have more cone area...and should in theory get louder than a single 15.

 

Ok: so with finals week things have been a little bit hectic But Im making it through them. Next week Ill be staying to work and make some money to hopefully get this project done. Im thinking I will just upgrade the 12s because its the better decision at the moment and the only thing I want extra is to have a custom box made with some LEDs inside.

There are two shops that I have found/heard of down here and Im going to try them out and see what they quote me and hopefully check out some of their work.

 

I would try to KEEP the 12's You have and Invest in the NEW CUSTOM Box. If you are using a Pre-Fab Box then you are Missing out on a LOT... Talk about Porting/Slot the Box Up threw the Factory Sub Hole. 9 out of 10 Times the Subs will be Louder Facing the Rear of the Car....
#1 Enjoy,
#2 Go Def (ha).....

 

Ok, so I went by one shop and the other was closed. At the first shop the guy suggested to stay within my budget i should just get a "beauty plate" so when I open the trunk the only thing seen is an amp. He said this would be about $125. I asked about a box with a plexiglass cutout that would be flush looking as well but he said those prices start running up to the $400 range. On Monday when I go back to work Im going to ask a coworker if he can follow up with his friend he has that apparently makes boxes for a decent price.

So for now, the plan looks like Im either going to figure out a way to make my own panel if its a simple cut or Im going to pay someone to make one for me.

And to answer the original question, Im going to stay with the 12's for now but the best advice seems to replace the subs or possibly begin with a more powerful amp.

 

I went to the local shops and they basically told me the best they could think of was to keep what I have, turn the subs towards the trunk lid (versus towards the seats), and make a beauty panel. The problem is I make a lot of road trips between school and home (4 hour drive) and constantly use my trunk to store luggage.

If I turn the subs around and have a beauty panel made, whats the best solution to keep my trunk as useable as possible. Im trying to avoid speaker grilles because I think they look like a cheap after-thought.. But thats just my opinion.

 

an enclosure built off the rear deck

http://caraudiomag.com/articles/merc...0-sq-car-audio

or an infinite baffle set up

http://caraudiomag.com/articles/2006...-audio-upgrade

 

I had originally wanted the infinite baffle setup but they said the problem with plexiglass is that it will crack down the road and the labor costs are $$$. Im not trying to put too much money in this as Im trying to get Progress springs and new shocks, as well as finish up my front lighting project. (Just ordered my switchbacks yesterday night )

The bottom line is I need to be able to use my trunk without much worry so I think my best bet is to flip the subs around and make my own speaker grille or at least a barrier so when Im making a trip I can throw my stuff in the back without messing up the subs (ill just keep them turned off). So I guess Ill have to find a good deal on some dynamat..

 

my guess will be to find some type of stealth box and have it installed if you need your space you might have to lose a sub but you'll have the space you need

 

I ended up getting the subs turned around and properly tuned and my system sounds 1000% better already. Im going to end up ordering some speaker grilles that I will just install when Im making a trip but first I have to find some I like.

Now the next project is to get my led strip in for the 3rd brake light because it is causing chaos on the back window.

 

1 15 is all you need with a Hifonics HFI2000d with 0 awg wire will do the job...