Subwoofers 101

ChrisInSeattle · 10-13-2006, 06:47 PM

I know nothing about car subwoofers. But having spent a small fortune on my audio upgrades so far, it seems only right to go that final yard and go low.

I'm not looking to make windows shake. I just want a nice clean, hard thump to fill out the bottom end. So with that in mind, I'm leaning toward the smaller, single 10inch, carpeted (although I'd get line-x) box from FJ audio guys.

I was looking at amps, and I notice that your standard 4 channel amp is considered "full range" with a variety of cross over points. Where as some sub specific amps have only "subsonic" or "lowpass" crossovers. Is there a practical difference? i.e., will I get more power if I buy sub-specific amp? I'd prefer to buy a standard 4 channel amp, since I may someday want to turn my rear pillar speakers back on.

And what's the deal with the 2 voice coil; 2 ohm or 4 ohm thing? What practical effect does this have on my choice of amps? Do I use 2 output channels for 2 voice coils, or what? How would I decide if I should buy the 2 ohm or 4 ohm version?

And finally, what's the deal with JL subs? They seem to be the fan favorite here and I'm wondering if that's because of performance, style, crowd appeal, price, or what? I might just go with a JL, since that seems to work for most people. But I would kind of like to get a Diamond D6 sub to match the rest of my system (style choice

), which I am extremely happy with.

**Nazar** · 10-13-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

ChrisInSeattle previously said:

I know nothing about car subwoofers. But having spent a small fortune on my audio upgrades so far, it seems only right to go that final yard and go low.

I'm not looking to make windows shake. I just want a nice clean, hard thump to fill out the bottom end. So with that in mind, I'm leaning toward the smaller, single 10inch, carpeted (although I'd get line-x) box from FJ audio guys.

I was looking at amps, and I notice that your standard 4 channel amp is considered "full range" with a variety of cross over points. Where as some sub specific amps have only "subsonic" or "lowpass" crossovers. Is there a practical difference? i.e., will I get more power if I buy sub-specific amp? I'd prefer to buy a standard 4 channel amp, since I may someday want to turn my rear pillar speakers back on.

And what's the deal with the 2 voice coil; 2 ohm or 4 ohm thing? What practical effect does this have on my choice of amps? Do I use 2 output channels for 2 voice coils, or what? How would I decide if I should buy the 2 ohm or 4 ohm version?

And finally, what's the deal with JL subs? They seem to be the fan favorite here and I'm wondering if that's because of performance, style, crowd appeal, price, or what? I might just go with a JL, since that seems to work for most people. But I would kind of like to get a Diamond D6 sub to match the rest of my system (style choice

), which I am extremely happy with.

I will try answering your questions as much as I can. First you have choices on boxes. You can go 2X10" if you want hard hitting bass that will be nice an accurate reproduction. Or you can go with a single 10" and maybe get a better and more power handling subwoofer.

You generaly want to use a 4 channel amp for your fronts and rears and a Sub amp to run your Subs. However there are some real nice 5 Channel amps out there that will give basicaly give you 2 amps in one chassy... Common belief is if yourun a sub with the same amp you are running your fronts and rears, the sub channel will heat up the amp a lot faster and this will allow more distortion to your front and rear speakers. TRYING TO BE VERY SIMPLE ON THE EXPLANATIUON without getting technical...

OK now the Subs... well Better the sub more power they will generaly need.
The more power you give them the louder and more accurate you can get them to sound. For example 10" W1 JL will handle about 125W versus a 10W6 JL which will handle about 400Watts. If you have a 150Watt amp you should get the 10w1, If you try to run the W6 which needs 400 watts ANd try running it with a 150Watt amp you will blow the Voice Coil on th sub because of too much distortion and heating up the voicecoil. So it is always a good idea to stay with in the specs of the sub with in 50Watts or so + or -.

Sometimes Voice coils are Dual so you can have them wires up in different onfiguration depending on the amps you use. With DVC you will also get a little more power handling and m,ore output.

Some amps are designed for 4 ohm or 2 ohm or 1 ohm. If you have a 4 ohm sub and you have an amp designed to run at 2 ohms you will only get Half the powewr out of your amplifier. That is why you need to match the impedence "Ohms"

This is where the JL comes in handy, Because they have a "RIPP" circuit in them which allows the output of theamp to be trhe same weather you are running 4, 2 or all the way down to 1.5 Ohms. Which makes the amp a liitle more user friendly. Not to mention they have a lot of control over your subs (500 dampening factor) this is what allows the amp to control the sub as the sub goes up and down in the enclosure.

well, JL SUBS? They are arguaby the most forgiving subs ever made, I have never had a JL sub sound bad. Yes I do sell them and reason I do is because I like them. We run a very custom more of a Tailered and Boutoqe kind of a shop and we only sell what we like, I could not think of a better sub that will give you the same performance at any of their level.

I hope this all helps. There are a lot more I can type here but, You have enough to digest for now, fell free to call and I will be happy to help you with any of your stereo needs and questions. OH AND SORRY ABOUT THE SPELLING.

Finally, check out our new enclosures.

ChrisInSeattle · 10-13-2006, 07:50 PM

Thanks Nazar! One more... If I buy a 2-subwoofer configuration, how can I amp that? Can it be powered off a single 1 channel sub amp? Or do I need to run 2 channels worth of amplification?

**Nazar** · 10-13-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

ChrisInSeattle previously said:

Thanks Nazar! One more... If I buy a 2-subwoofer configuration, how can I amp that? Can it be powered off a single 1 channel sub amp? Or do I need to run 2 channels worth of amplification?

Yes exactly, See you learn quick.

You want one amplifier to run both subs so they can "Hit" at the same time, Leaving no room for cancellation. You want preferably a Mono Amp and maybe a Class D Mono amp.

**Corey** · 10-13-2006, 08:18 PM

Nazar, do you happen to make one of those side boxes to hold a JL W6 15"?
http://pnw4runners.com/tando/stereo13a.jpg

I ran that for years in my '91 4Runner powered by an old school Rockford 500a2 bridged mono to it.
It made the seats move in their tracks

I would like to keep it if posible.
Putting the sealed enclosure it is in now would take up a huge amount of room.
The FJ does not have near the room back aft that the 4Runner did.

Belosh · 10-13-2006, 08:21 PM

my personal opinion on subs is that they are unneccesary, especially in a car. 6'5'' drivers are more than sufficient for the space filling bass you will need. besides, it also depends what music you listen to. rock music rarely goes low enough to need a sub. the majority of what you are listening to during rock music on a sub is base distortion. classical music hits lower frequencies that a sub would be necessary for.

an example is listening to the fj with stock system with and without the crappy sub. really no difference, though i realize the sub is bad.

monday, my fj is getting its new system. i suspect you would be very happy with the results despite the lack of a sub. i have an alpine pdx amp, alpine components in front, alpine 6'5'' in rear.

on a side note, i am disconnecting the pillar and ceiling speakers. these are unnessesary to replace. the most important thing is the front components, everything else is filler sound. more speakers doesnt mean better sound.

just my thoughts. good luck.

**Nazar** · 10-13-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Corey previously said:

Nazar, do you happen to make one of those side boxes to hold a JL W6 15"?
http://pnw4runners.com/tando/stereo13a.jpg

I ran that for years in my '91 4Runner powered by an old school Rockford 500a2 bridged mono to it.
It made the seats move in their tracks

I would like to keep it if posible.
Putting the sealed enclosure it is in now would take up a huge amount of room.
The FJ does not have near the room back aft that the 4Runner did.

HAHAHA, That is an oldy but a goody. call me I will work out a trade for you.

ChrisInSeattle · 10-13-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Belosh previously said:

my personal opinion on subs is that they are unneccesary, especially in a car. 6'5'' drivers are more than sufficient for the space filling bass you will need. besides, it also depends what music you listen to. rock music rarely goes low enough to need a sub. the majority of what you are listening to during rock music on a sub is base distortion. classical music hits lower frequencies that a sub would be necessary for.

an example is listening to the fj with stock system with and without the crappy sub. really no difference, though i realize the sub is bad.

monday, my fj is getting its new system. i suspect you would be very happy with the results despite the lack of a sub. i have an alpine pdx amp, alpine components in front, alpine 6'5'' in rear.

on a side note, i am disconnecting the pillar and ceiling speakers. these are unnessesary to replace. the most important thing is the front components, everything else is filler sound. more speakers doesnt mean better sound.

just my thoughts. good luck.

IMHO, in a car, you need the filler sound because you'll never get a balanced sound sitting, more or less, on top of one speaker and 3 feet in front of the other. Take any car with a half-decent stereo and muck with the fader. Huge difference.

As for a subwoofer, I don't know. It's not a matter of having enough speaker to fill the volume of a car. It's about having a speaker than can do a reasonable job reproducing the low notes. A single 6 1/2" speaker *will* distort on the bottom end. (and by "distort", I don't mean the crackle-ripple sound when you blow out the speakers in your mom's station wagon) So it's a matter of how much distortion you're willing to tolerate in addition how much thump you want. If the stock FJ speakers don't cause you physical pain, you may not care if your 6 1/2s have trouble with the bass or not.

Noisycow · 10-13-2006, 09:27 PM

No Sub, Blah!! To each their own, no offense, but even Dwight Yoakam sounds better with a sub. A real sub.

**Nazar** · 10-13-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Noisycow previously said:

No Sub, Blah!! To each their own, no offense, but even Dwight Yoakam sounds better with a sub. A real sub.

HAHAHA

Let's put it this way, If you have a Home theater Room, Try disconecting the Sub and get the full effect out of the movie. Just not the same anymore.