Subwoofer suggestions

ROHfan

I've been talking with nbrowser about upgrading my Dodge Journey's sound system. I have it in the shop for them to fix all the screwups but here's what I have already that needs to be re-integrated:

Focal Auditor 5.25 component speakers front doors
AudioControl LC7i Line Out Converter
JL Audio 4 channel amp
SoundOrdnance powered 8" underseat sub

It was suggested to me that I may want to forgo the powered sub and go right to a box sub and power it from the spare 2 channels bridged from my JL amp. I don't even know where to start so can someone help me with some suggestions? I'm not limiting myself to any specific brands, but I want the bass to be tight and punchy--not muddy and boomy. I like to listen to a lot of jazz, singer/songwriter and progressive metal. Any help would be appreciated. Would prefer a single driver system because I don't want to take up much space in the back. Also, should I go ported or sealed?

WLDock

There are so many choices out there from 6.5"-18" but that Alpine Type R I listed in the other thread is a great choice. Fairly low Q driver, powerful motor to low moving mass, Clean bass that is not overbearing...and the enclosure is narrow and small. $300 list, on eBay for $150

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpine-SBR-S8-4-Enclosed-Type-R-8-Car-Subwoofer-in-Ported-Sub-Enclosure-SBRS8-4-/351316708214?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51cc1b8b76&vxp=mtr

Install Pics
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=846551&stc=1&d=1365983591
http://s1244.photobucket.com/user/Purple-Car/media/2014 Fiesta ST/IMAG0821_zpsw9dwg8pc.jpg.html

Feedback
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/member-reviews-product-comparisons/113921-alpine-sbr-s83v-type-r-8-alpine-prefab-ported-enclosure.html
http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Sbr-s8-4-Subwoofer-Enclosure-Preloaded/product-reviews/B00E1BOFUA/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=byRankDescending


You can DIY a small sub system that will offer that dry musical bass sound on the cheap. Get the low Q (0.3) TangBand W8-740P and put it in a super small sealed .3-.5 cu ft enclosure.

http://www.parts-express.com/tang-band-w8-740p-8-subwoofer--264-854
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-SINGLE-30-CU-FT-UNIVERSAL-BLACK-SUBWOOFER-SUB-SPEAKER-ENCLOSURE-BOX-/271766015803?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f46844f3b&vxp=mtr

ROHfan

Dock, thanks for the advice. That Tang looks very interesting and the reviews are stellar. I'm reading that the Tang likes a ported enclosure to ensure the driver's full travel but you suggest going with a sealed one. Why is that? Oh, and thanks for the links. Definitely have something to chew on, now.

Nightfall

If you want tight and punchy I'd go sealed.

WLDock

Nightfall hit the nail on the head.

ROHfan

Alrighty, then. Probably gonna go that route if the current install doesn't sound to my liking. I have a 60 day money back guarantee from Crutchfield so I know that won't be an issue. Thanks again for the direction, dudes.

WLDock

Man do I miss car audio some days....I ran sealed subs almost exclusively. However, some of the cleanest, tightest, dry, most natural sounding bass I've heard in a car was infinite baffle mounted subs. I was in the process of acquiring some very nice gear for an all out SQ system with an IB sub. I ended up having to sell it all off a few years ago when I moved from MI to IN. I had a custom 15" Acoustic Elegance IB sub with a huge underhung motor. The sub was designed to have very low distortion and linear output.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/WLDock/Car Audio/IMAG0413.jpg
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/WLDock/media/Car Audio/IMAG0412.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7

Once I get a 2 ch rig together and a new car I'm for sure going to put a system together....its been too long. ...the quest for clarity, detail, impact, and tight bass never ends!

Nightfall

The only thing I didn't like about my car stereo (component speakers, 5 channel amp, upgraded alternator and battery, sub, the works) is that there isn't such a thing as sound stage or imaging. Not sure how else to describe it but it's just sound.

WLDock

Nightfall wrote: »

The only thing I didn't like about my car stereo (component speakers, 5 channel amp, upgraded alternator and battery, sub, the works) is that there isn't such a thing as sound stage or imaging. Not sure how else to describe it but it's just sound.

It can be a task sometimes to get this in the car. However, I've listened to some SQ competition cars that were able to do some things right. Many of these had drivers in the kick panels to help equal out the path length differences.

ROHfan

Ok, so here's a stupid question. I'm sending my front left and right into the Cleansweep and then out to the amp, then to the front door components. Then, I have the rear left and right going into the Cleansweep and running them to my powered sub which has a left and right input. I'm going to go with a passive sub and want to have it amplified by the spare two channels from my JL Audio amp. What is the best way to do this? Can I still plug the rear left and right channels into ch 3 and 4 inputs on the amp and just bridge the output of ch 3 and 4 to get mono to the sub? Not sure how to continue.

WLDock

Yes, that is correct...its the same thing. Your powered sub is the same thing as an amp and a passive sub....low level input>AMP>high power outputs>SUB

ROHfan

Getting the new speakers today I ordered. The 5.25" Focals and Sound Ordnance sub isn't cutting it. Went with 6.5" JL Audio C3-600 component speakers and a Kicker 12" sub in sealed enclosure. I'm thinking I may wind up exchanging the Kicker as I really had my mind set on a JL Audio sealed unit but it was out of stock.

WLDock

Sounds good.