Suggestions for a very "musical" sub with good output

[qwiketz 10+ year member]

Hi guys. I am looking for a 12" (or something around that size) subwoofer that will put out a decent amount of output and sound very musical. I was running some mtx 8000's previously (3 12's) and I liked the tight, punchy bass. I'm not looking to rotate the earth or anything. I'll probably be throwing about 600 watts rms or around there. Maybe slightly more power but we'll see.

My one request is for something that is reasonably priced and fits in a 1.5 cu ft box or smaller. I'm going to be getting a bmw convertible eventually and I'm sure that the trunk is tiny. I'm looking to spend $100-$250, maybe $300. I'd like to run just one sub. Box design suggestions would be a plus too since I don't know most of the current subs out there(I'm more old school). Thanks!

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[jbizzle 5,000+ posts]

Sundown Audio SA-12.

 

[statonburrell 10+ year member]

if the box is gonna be sealed i'd run an RD classic V2 or an RD sonance...

 

[Silentbass 10+ year member]

RD sonance or sundown sa

 

[headless 10+ year member]

step up the $$ a bit and get a vanadium //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif 600w is perfect for one vanadium, and it's extremely happy in only 1CF, sealed. Super simple box build, and the vanadium has an extremely musical sound, and decent output (though I went with 2 to be really happy with fairly high volumes...)

On only 400w....

http://www.realmofexcursion.com/bigbassman/img/graphs/Sealed/vanadium.gif

if you port it, you can get ~6db increase @ 35hz in 1.5cf.

http://www.realmofexcursion.com/bigbassman/img/graphs/Ported/vanadium.gif

Not too shabby for an excellent SQ driver.

 

[Loud3 5,000+ posts]

Arc Flatline.

IDQ.

 

[atsaubrey 10+ year member]

simple no ******** answer that none of the others listed will do. Image Dynamics IDQ12v3. Suprisingly loud and more SQ wins under its belt than most.

 

[CFaist 10+ year member]

Check out Elemental Designs. Had a pair of 130v.2's 12"s (now Discontinued) E.512 replaced it. and they were the vest sounding most "musical subs I've ever heard.

 

[galacticmonkey 5,000+ posts]

simple no ******** answer that none of the others listed will do. Image Dynamics IDQ12v3. Suprisingly loud and more SQ wins under its belt than most.

While the IDQ is probably the best sounding sub Ive ever heard, the 2 V3 10s that I had didnt have really much output at all. I had 2 of them in 1.8 sealed on the sub channel of a DLS A5, and while the sound couldnt have been anymore lifelike or fast, they couldnt even break a 126 legal on the dash of my van.

Id go along the lines of something like a Fi Q. Or maybe something like a RE XXX or RE SE if your budget isnt quite as high?

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Q or RL-P would do well off that power and should be tight and punchy either sealed or proper ported enclosure...

 

[qwiketz 10+ year member]

thanks for the input. I'm new to the forums, so most of the brands and models are new to me. I'll build a new ported box if needed and the output justifies the increased box size. As long as it sounds good with all types of music and has pretty good output then I'll be happy.

Back in the days I had a bug with two rockford fosgates that went 135. I had a mustang that was a little louder (maybe 138-140) and I'd like something similar or slightly louder.

 

[Toxic Tuan 10+ year member]

thanks for the input. I'm new to the forums, so most of the brands and models are new to me. I'll build a new ported box if needed and the output justifies the increased box size. As long as it sounds good with all types of music and has pretty good output then I'll be happy.
Back in the days I had a bug with two rockford fosgates that went 135. I had a mustang that was a little louder (maybe 138-140) and I'd like something similar or slightly louder.

You're going to be in love with an ABC (Aperiodic Bi Chamber) enclosure. With a 1.5 cf box, a single dd1508 will do great. If you're willing to go bigger, then look into a DC audio lvl 3 10". Ported type enclosures will always have a better transient response than a sealed if designed properly. DD has proven to do really well in my books.

If you're sticking with a sealed box, then go with an idmax, Ida, or others that have been mentioned above.

 

[qwiketz 10+ year member]

can you tell me more about the abc enclosure? I'll read the forums on the dd1508 sub

 

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

simple no ******** answer that none of the others listed will do. Image Dynamics IDQ12v3. Suprisingly loud and more SQ wins under its belt than most.

Exodus Audio Shiva x2

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=693

 

[qwiketz 10+ year member]

since I'm running one sub, would it be better to go with a 10" or 12"? I was checking out their website and it looks like I can run a 12" with a 1.75 cu ft box. Anyone run a 12 in a box this small? That is the dd subs.