Hey fellas, so I'm fairly new to the whole car audio arena... was wondering if anybody with experience can help me out?
 
I'm currently running 2 x 12" Polk Audio DB1240 subwoofers with a ported box in my ride. They hit alright, but get distorted and inaccurate quickly at high volumes. Their frequency response range is also subpar, because I play a lot of extremely bass heavy Dubstep, Rap, and bass test tracks. They are apparently amongst the lowest end subwoofers you can get from Polk Audio... Amazon had them dirt cheap for $60 or so a piece lol.
 
I'm currently trying to sell my DB subs for better ones. I'm currently eying a few...
 
- Alpine Type R 12s
- Polk MM1240
- Pioneer Champion Series Pro 12s
- Kicker Comp VR 12s
 
Those have similar price ranges, and I've read up some pretty decent reviews on them. Currently, my vehicle has the Kenwood KAC-9105D amp installed, and it's an 1800W peak amp and runs 900W RMS @ 2 ohms. It's a powerful amp, and has the ability to dim my lights when cranked up, even with a Duralast Platinum deep cycle AGM battery installed.
 
I play mainly Dubstep, various electronic music, Rap, and "bass testers" like Bass Mekanik etc. Which subs would suit me the best? I plan to get two of them and drop them into a dual 12" ported box. Just like my current setup.

LOL wow... that is some INSANE stuff you got there... I have nowhere near the funds for Sundown Audio or any of those high end brands! xD
 
The subs I listed were just the ones in my price range and amp power range. I just wanted something that's much better than the Polk DBs but nothing too crazy at the moment!
 
As for the box, I lack the tools and knowledge to build one... but here's what I'll probably get: http://www.onlinecarstere...5482_EFX_SEV122CC.aspx I can get those dirt cheap at my work for $59.99 plus employee discount, which probably brings it down to about $30 or so!

eppopipe

That box is worthless, just saying. If you cant build one pay somebody to do it. Its the most important part of the system outside of electrical.
Oh and check these.
http://www.carstereogiant.com/product-p/threatcon-2.htm

but yeah, hit me up on skype, the high end gear can be had for far cheaper then you think it would. Theres many options too, I bet 2 good 8s in a good box will make your current setup look so weak ;)

 
Yea... thought the box was worthless. I don't know anybody in person who is really into car audio and knows how to build boxes. Also LOL @ the 8's putting my 12's to shame, I bet those Sundown 8s would wreck my little DB 12s xD

PM Violence on here. He is into all of this and actually has his own sub's patented and beginning to produce.

im actually a RF or Kicker or even Orion guy 

Sundown audio sa-8 subs 149.99 on amazon with a dual 2 ohm voice coil, it's what I'm using in my next build:D

For sure getting the v2's and not sure on amp yet, I wanna do 4 eights just for the hell of it, and invert 2 of the 4

Is that an amp or sub?

^^ common misconception. My quality comes before my SPL level.
You do far more harm to your hearing listening to ipod headphones then you do have a proper balanced system in the car/home
 
And a DC 3.5 is a amp. Does 3800 rms @ 1 ohm @ 12.2V Would be perfect for those 8s in a 4th order.  Just make sure you have the electrical to handle it. Check out singer alternators. A set of XS power D3100s would do you well.

They do. I was thinking about getting rid of my sundown 3k for a AQ 3500

I don't want to rain on your parade but I need to share something with you.
 
Twentyfive years ago I started building a really nice system in my Maxda MX6 I spent over $1000 maybe $1500 on it which was real money back then.  That thing really cranked up and that is how I listened to it, cranked up.  I then bought a Mitsubishi 3000Gt VR4 that had a pretty mean system in it already.  I just added a sub tube to it.  I used to drive for hours with it cranked up and singing  out loud, smoking cigars.
Now the bad news.  I am 52 and have had hearing problems since before I turned 40.  My ears ring constantly.  It is like living 24/7/365 in a field with a million crickets.  There is no cure that I have found and I have tried most of them.  On top of that my hearing has just plain gotten bad on top of the ringing. 
 
I was young was like you guys are now.  If I could, I would have done things differently knowing what I know now.
 
Just a thought.
 

I am an old school spl'er, used to participate in contests back in the late 90's. One setup I had was a wall (back seats yanked out) with 4 15" Petras Cardiac subs running off of an Autotek 7600, then changed the subs out with 2 Soundstream SPL 15" in the trunk... hitting a 148dbl with the seats up lol.
 
Main tip I can provide to you is, you could possibly save yourself some cash and just pay someone to build you a box better suited to your subs and that could possibly take care of your high volume response issues. Its doubtful but a very distinct possiblity, Also, your amp could be getting pushed and causing the distortion not the subs, general rule of thumb I used (albeit 15 yrs ago (damn i feel old!)) is amp gain never EVER above 75%, same with volume and any bass gains etc... that puts stress on the equipment past that point and can cause distortion as well.
 
Might be a good idea to check the voice coils at the point to see if you've burned them up or not, that will also let you know if you should replace the subs or not. Its very easy to check and takes all of 1 minute. With the power off gently push the sub in with center force (so not to lean the cone one side or another) and see if you feel any grindy gritty sensation coming from the sub. If so the coil is possibly burnt and therefor causing the distortion. Can sometimes also listen with the volume very low and see if you hear the subs crunching at all, if so voice coils could be burned.
 
Hope this helps!

Get some JL Audio W7's you won't regret it.
 
I have 2 12" Kicker CV's and they were weak lol, not sure about the VR's.
 
The W7's will make the whole block feel the bass, It's what I'm getting ;)!

Ok so, Ive had 4 Jl W7 models. I have yet to be happy with one. They get loud and sound decent but more the money there is so much better stuff out there. Yes they are 3 ohm load. I prefer dual 1 ohm.  Ive also had just about every pioneer and kicker sub out there. My scion had 3 kicker l7 12s. My single 15 now is much louder/cleaner.
 
Check out brands like Sundown, AQ, Crecendo, DD, Tantric, PSI, SSA, TC-sounds, Ascendant Audio, Incriminator Audio, DC audio, American bass. 
 

Which blocks? My Duals (Dual 1/0 to a single 1/0 stud)?
They are toolmaker duals (check at CACO) and i think you can get a set for around $40 shipped. Im gonna start making em myself.