Rep Power: 296

alright guys - since i got this set up i haven't been quite happy. I really don't know much about audio wiring or what amp goes well with what sub so thats what im askin you fellas. i have a kenwood amp and an Audiobahn sub.

the specs on the amp are:

GENERAL FEATURES
- Cast Aluminum Heat Sink: with Sandblast Finish
- Power Indicator: Blue Logo Triangle

POWER RATINGS
- Bridged Power Output at 14.4V (1kHz, 0.8% THD): 460 Watts x 1
- Maximum Output Power: 800 Watts
- Power Output at 2 Ohms, at 14.4V (1kHz, 0.8% THD): 230 Watts x 2
- Power Output at 4 Ohms, at 14.4V (20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD): 150 Watts x 2

AUDIO FEATURES
- 2 or 1 Channels of Amplification
- Ground Isolation Circuit
- High-Pass Electronic Crossover: 150Hz, 12dB/oct (Switchable)
- Quiet Turn-On
- RCA Audio Inputs: Gold-Plated
- RCA Line Outputs: Gold-Plated
- Speaker Connectors: Screw-Type
- Speaker Level Input Terminals: Plug-Type
- Stereo, Mono, or Tri-Mode Operation
- Variable Low-Pass Electronic Crossover: 50Hz - 200Hz, 18dB per Octave
- Bass Boost: Off/+12dB (90Hz)

POWER SUPPLY FEATURES
- 2-Ohm Stable
- Copper EE-Core Power Transformer
- Noise Supression Filter: Toroidal
- Power Input Terminals: Gold-Plated, Large Screw-Type
- Power MOSFET Switching Power Supply
- Power Supply Fuse: 2 x 30A
- Secondary Capacitors: 2
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/pr...productId=2477

and you can check out the specs of the sub here: (its the ultra excursion)
http://www.audiobahninc.com/frame2004.html
(i think this link takes you to the sites main screen - go to products then to subs) and its model number AW1205Q

are these a good match? what kinda sub would be better suited for my amp? I had an Infinity hooked up for about a week (then it got jacked) and it sounded so much better so im thinking about going back to that but i want some ideas on others

 
Rep Power: 266

What's your overall complaint about the sound? Too sloppy? Not enough out put?
I think the question you need to ask is what sub is better suited for your music...

 
Rep Power: 296

well - i just want to run a system that I can play loud as all hell and still be clear. also - for bass - it has to be crisp, and...i dunno how to say it...i guess deep - like have a wide range that can get all the lowest notes and also still be heard with higher bass tones. right now it sounds kinda flat, kinda "tin - y" (not tiny/small, tin-y like tin-can like)

all the sound background i have comes from being in a band where the bass guitar is always heard just a bit over the drums and always has tight crisp sound that drives the music. i want that in my car

 
Rep Power: 266

Blasphemer! Nothing should be louder than drums! (I'm a drummer in a band, so I'm a little biased)
First, I think you have the wrong sub for the job. You need something more sound quality than spl. Personally, I would go with a JL Audio sub one 12w3 v2 or two 10w3s v2... or one 10" IDMAX.

 
Rep Power: 296

haha i know i know im a drummer too - but i just think the bass is what really drives a song - and since when i listen to music i listen to it for that - the music - and not so much the lyrics - i like the bass up. don't get me wrong - the highs and mids have to balance with the bass - i just like to have a little emphasis on what drives the song.

spl? i know what it stands for but i thought that was a good thing?? haha i guess i dunno...care to explain?

 
Rep Power: 310

Unfortunately, a system that is transient and can go loud as hell while retaining its quality is not something you will find inexpensive. In fact, that's exactly why high-end audio components are so expensive, they meet so many of the criteria of a good system, whereas some of the **** you buy at bestbuy cheap might give you a hell of a lotta power it won't give you good sound. Some of the more affordable quality stuff, only stays quality at low volumes, etc. However, there are many happy mediums out there and that is basically all of our tasks to find a balance. It would be easy to go out and dump $30,000 into a system that sounds good. The challenge is getting something that you are happy with for what you can afford to spend.

I'm not sure your sub and amp are a match. I say this not because they aren't spec'd to be that way, but because IMHO Audiobahn is only a match to the garbage can. My suggestion, drop the $125 it costs to get a Adire Shiva, and see if that makes you happier. I don't think any amp would make the AudioBahn sound right for you.

BTW, don't be fooled by Audiobahn's ludicrous power claims. Their power claims are only met with the power of a fusion reaction, not a 14v source.

 
Rep Power: 296

so is that Adire Shiva a good match for my amp?? how do i know what is a good match between an amp/sub??

 
Rep Power: 310

Worry about what is a good amp. What is a good sub. Will the amp provide enough power to your sub.

You've already got your amp. Your sub is not good. Shiva is a good sub. Your amp will power a shiva. That's my recomendation, considering the $ you spend.

 
Rep Power: 528

Just match up rms. Don't look at max or peak output. If your amp has 300 watts RMS then look for a sub with 300 watts RMS.

 
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^ya i knew that part - but when it gets to wiring this amp to that sub or 2ohms vs 4ohms - that crap i don't get haha. i think im just gunna say f*ck it and order that adire and see what happens

 
Rep Power: 786

A lot of your problem is you are using a moderate amount of power from some (no offense) low end equipment. With a high end 500w amp and a better sub in the proper box you will notice an amazing difference. My rule of thumb is ADD MORE POWER. If you do your system can sitll get loud and not be driven to its full potential, also meaning that the undesirable noise that will be played thru your system will also not be as loud at a reasonable volume, so you get a better sound. don't just say f*ck it and order something and see what happens, that's what idiots do. If you want an example of me personally, my amp puts out above 1500w and I know I never use it all but at a normal listening level it sounds great, and when I turn it up, well it hurts. Your current sub is definitely not good, the quality can be compared to the lowest names in car audio. Kenwood isn't that great either to be honest. What also doesn't help is that you are running a kind of mismatched amp to be powering a sub with. Amps have different classes and some classes are better suited for different types of speakers. To power subs, a class D mono amp is best, you will get much better efficiency out of it and more efficiency means more power.

 
Rep Power: 296

so you callin me an idiot, punk? haha jk. well shiat, you learn something new every day, huh? thanks for the info....and making me feel like crap about my system. haha. maybe i should start over & get some new stufff

 
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how do i know if its class D or not? the kenwood site doesn't say anything about it...

 
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generally, class D amplifiers are mono.

 
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oh ok. so what is a 2 channel amp good for?

 
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2 channel amps are great for interior speakers.

However, there are exceptions...

I have an Orion HCCA 250r. It's a 2 channel amp rated only at 50x2. However, at 1 ohm the amp puts out 1083 watts RMS!

 
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wtf - thats a big change. haha. what is the difference between 1,2,3 etc ohms and how do you change between them? btw - thanks for all the info i hella wanna learn about this stuff

 
Rep Power: 310

Of your amp and your sub, your sub sucks far worse than your amp. You could very well just get yourself a better sub, try the new sub with your existing amp and see if it satisfies you. If not, start looking at a new amp. That way, you don't end up spending more money than you need to. If 100-150 on a new sub solves your problem, no need to shell out any more than that.

 
Rep Power: 296

are you sure that the adire is going to have more of a range and be louder? i was about to order it just now but i can't get over how small the magnet is and how cheap it looks....

 
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oh really........

 
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bump

 
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Adire makes good stuff.

 
Rep Power: 310

I like it. Am I sure you will? No. But the thing is, I can't think of a better woofer in the price range you gave. Car audio is too subjective for one person to tell another what he or she will like. I can only tell you what I like and what I think you will like. It's a little easier to say what's good or not within a tight price range though. If you said, what's the best component speaker? You might get 12 different answers from 12 different people - and no one's right or wrong. If you asked what's the best component for under $200, you'll get a lot more people agreeing. A lot of people who have heard it, will tell you the Shiva is the best choice for the money. I hadn't heard it until fairly recently. I was very impressed.

About your ohm questions, Rather than answer your ohm question, I'll let you answer it. The reason is, my answer will prompt another questoin from you, and so on and so on. I think this because you seem like you wanna learn about what you are talking about. LudlamTheory has posted a sticky at the top of the ICE forum, places to go to learn your audio. Link around through those sites. You'll be teaching others soon.