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So this has been asked many times, and the one constant thing I see is people recommending JL as the sub. As for an amp......?????

I'm just looking to add a single 12 to my system. I replaced the stock speakers with some JBL Decades last year (buy one pair, get the second free... that was the fastest u-turn I have ever made!). I also have a Pioneer DEH-P9300 installed (got it for cost from a friend that worked at FutureShop because it was their flagship deck at the time and Pioneer had a deal for car audio employees).

That being said...... summer is upon us and I keep saying every year I need a sub.....

I just want some low-end to my system while I'm driving, with the occasional time I'll turn it up when I hanging around my car with friends. I listen to hip hop, reggae, house, soca....... I'm not into the competition scene, so something that will sound clean is what I want.

I've read that everyone recommends JL for the sub, but I have no idea which one to look at. Are there other brands I should consider? Secondly, what amp would compliment the sub?

I don't want to spend more than $500 CDN (~$375 USD) for the sub/amp, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

 
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You may want to try a JBL 600.1 amp. They're pretty inexpensive, draw less current, and pack a nice bit of power for the price. As far as subwoofers are concerned you have ALOT of options:
1) JL W3
2) Alpine Type R
3) Cerwin-Vega VEGA 124 - don't laugh, these hit stupid loud in the right ported box. And they're cheap.
4) If you can score a new JL W6 for cheap from your friend, then you would really rule @$$ and perhaps stay within budget.

Whatever you choose, don't forget to set aside a chunk of money for wires and installation. That s#it adds up quickly.

 
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Thanks Tre... I'll do some research on the parts you mentioned.

I already know about the cost of the wires and installation, and they're pretty much the same wherever you go, so I didn't want to include that question in my price scenario.

Anyone else have any ideas?

 
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just get a JL W7 and a 1000.1 JL Amp mono with the custom box and you'll be set.

 
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And that would run me how many millions of dollars?????

 
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UGH!!!!.... JBL!!!.... don't get me started....

my JBL 600.1 just blew up 2 weeks ago.... its got such bad build quality it just shorted out and started smoking..... i only had it for about a year and a half....i thought it was a good price when i got it.... $275

but i paid the price alrite..... now i got my Precision Power PCX1250 in the mail.... yee-haw!

 
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I just went to one place today looking around and he suggested I go with a JL 10w0-4 in a slot-ported box (price $180 cdn for both).

He also suggested a power akoustik amp, or he had coming in next week the JL e-series amps for about the same price (~$230 cdn).

Any comments on his suggestions? Would the 10" hit low enough for the music I listen to?

How about a 12w0-4? Would that be better in a ported box?

 
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bump... anyone else?

 
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i just put one 12wo in my car with a closed box it nocks louder then my friend that has 2 12' dont now what kind

my 12w0 hits real hard

 
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not a big power acoustic fan here... might not go ported on that sub either.

but for your budget a 12" w0 (you might want the deeper sound for your music) and a decent 100-150W rms amp would be fine. kicker, mtx, phoenix gold are some other amp brands to check out, the shop is gonna pimp what they make money on (jl's price fixing is gonna mean lower profits, while that is not true for power acoustic)

 
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What do you guys think about those JL Audio StealthBoxes for our cars? It comes with a 12w3v2. I know I'm concerned about space......

 
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IDMAX (Can get them around 200 on ebay)
Resonant Engineering SE12 ($125 on ebay)
Resonant Engineering HC12 ($150 on ebay)
Elemental Designs E12K.14 ($115 @ audiohole.com)
Elemental Designs E120.14 ($165 @ audiohole.com)

all of those would be good sub choices


as far as an amp to power them, you could use:
JBL BP600.1 which will power any and all of those subs. its listed for $299.99 at sounddomain.com , but you could get it off ebay easily for around $100-$125. I believe any of the combination of those subs and that particular amp would be well under your budget, giving you some room to work with on your box and wiring.

edit: thats in US Currency

 
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Jcap - I have a JL 10W0 and a Pyle PLA-400 4 channel amp running bridged to power it. I just replaced a Poweracoustik 4 channel amp (powering my fronts and rears) a few weeks ago after I started having intermittent problems with the 1 & 2 channels - it lasted 8 years and three vehicles. I wouldn't recommend them OVER brands such as JL or Alpine, but on a tight budget, they will work.

 
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im in the exact situation as yourself, Im buying local used items:
Im buying a 250/1 jl amp for 170 and two 10w0's in jl powerwedge box for 140. Wiring and installation are gonna cost me 50. Buying used audio is taking a big chance, but if your going to buy new, your going to spend twice as much. I dont know anything about amps or subs and am just looking to spend my money on used items which were once expensive. Ive been looking for a month for better setup but can't find any with 380 dollars.

 
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Thanks guys... you gave me some things to think about.

One question: when people say that one sub is louder than another sub, do they mean that it hits the lower notes better, or that it puts out more dB's?

Like I said before, I'm just looking to add some good, clean bass that hits the right freq. for the music I listen to. I don't want to set any alarms off.....